BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Welders in North Carolina

$53,720 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$25.83 per hour

▼ 5.4% below U.S. average39th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$53,720per year
Median$50,590per year
Hourly$25.83per hour
10th – 90th percentile$38,540 – $71,240per year

Welders Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,540
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$45,400
  • 50th Percentile — Median$50,590
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$60,870
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$71,240

Half of Welders in North Carolina earn more than $50,590. The top 10% make $71,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,540.

Welders in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for Welders pay, at $53,720 per year (5.4% below the U.S. average of $56,760).
  • 11,750 people work as Welders in North Carolina — 2.8% of all U.S. Welders jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.89: Welders jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,540; the top 10% earn over $71,240.
  • Hourly equivalent: $25.83 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,100.
  • Among skilled trades jobs in North Carolina, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians pays the most ($79,320).

Welders Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Welders here earn $53,720 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $53,720 is roughly equivalent to $59,033 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($54,290), Indiana ($54,220), Florida ($54,030) are the closest alternatives for Welders weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Welders salary in North Carolina?

The average Welders salary in North Carolina is $53,720 per year (median $50,590), which is 5.4% below the national average of $56,760.

How does North Carolina rank for Welders pay?

North Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($80,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Welders make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Welders in North Carolina earn about $38,540 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,400.

How much do Welders make per hour in North Carolina?

About $25.83 per hour, based on the $53,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Welders work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 11,750 Welders jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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