Welder Salary in Montgomery, AL: $49,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Montgomery, AL earns a median $49,790/year (≈ $23.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $55,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Montgomery, Alabama, have a projected median annual salary of $49,790, which reflects a competitive compensation structure compared to the national median of $55,895. Local wages range from $38,840 at the 10th percentile to as high as $73,999 for the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market influenced by varying skills and job requirements. This salary data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcases how regional economic factors can impact earnings, particularly for traveling pipe welders. Those taking on per-diem roles may experience significant earnings differentials due to tax advantages and higher hourly pay, pushing local shop wages to adapt in order to stay competitive. Montgomery's job market reflects both the opportunities and challenges within the welding field, making it essential for prospective welders to carefully consider their options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,840 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,333 | $20.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,144 | $29.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,999 | $35.57 |
Median Salary Position
10.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,159 (2026 est.). At $49,790, the local median is 10.92% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery Welder Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $49,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.92% less |
Welders in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $49,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,790 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,518 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,620
2025 BLS Actual
$47,880
2026 Current Est.
$49,790
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 20.8% from $39,620 (2019) to $47,880 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,157 (30.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,840 – $43,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,333 – $49,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,790 – $62,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,144 – $73,999 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Montgomery
The welding job market in Montgomery features around 560 welders, indicating a stable workforce in the area. Given the cost of living index of 89.682, which is below the national average, welders may find that their take-home pay allows for a comfortable lifestyle compared to other regions. Employers with the highest pay include structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline work, and those in the aerospace and defense sectors, where specialized skills like TIG welding are in great demand. The disparity in wages can often be attributed to factors such as certification levels, with qualifications such as 6G pipe preferred over standard structural certifications. Moreover, those engaged in traveling work tend to command higher rates, often driven by the boom-bust cycles of the oil industry and the corresponding demand for skilled labor. Welders in Montgomery should focus on acquiring advanced certifications and considering mobile welding opportunities to maximize their earnings potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,880 for weldersin the Montgomery metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov