Salary guide, May 2025
TIG Welder pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $56,940 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $47,190 and $60,980.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $3,190 above the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The TIG Welder title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,460 | $47,190 | $56,940 | $60,980 | $71,800 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.45 | $22.69 | $27.37 | $29.32 | $34.52 |
BLS estimated 1,090 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.55.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published TIG Welder median is $56,940. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 1.10 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.55 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $47,400 | $54,080 | $63,920 |
| May 2025 | $47,190 | $56,940 | $60,980 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,320 | $39,420 to $52,370 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $49,600 | $46,790 to $59,320 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro, the median annual salary for a TIG Welder is $56,940. This reflects an increase of $2,860 from the previous May 2024 median of $54,080. The middle-band width is $13,790, encompassing a P25 of $47,190 and a P75 of $60,980.
Manufacturing Headhunters advises that this position is measured under SOC 51-4121, meaning the data aggregates various weld processes and industrial roles. 1 aerospace requirements independently.
The local median is higher than the national median of $53,750. The national middle-band width is $16,220. National occupational industry wages for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing are $99,570, while Chemical Manufacturing is $76,240. Importantly, these BLS wage figures exclude non-cash benefits, shift differentials, and bonuses. Because these components are standard in technical manufacturing, the provided medians serve as a base reference point rather than a complete picture of market-rate total compensation for specialized TIG welders.
Raleigh reports 1,090 in employment for this occupation with a location quotient of 0.55. Nearby metrics include the Goldsboro, NC area, reporting a median of $48,320, and the Rocky Mount, NC area at $49,600. The welder concentration in Raleigh is significantly lower than the national benchmark. Candidates screened for these roles often possess high-level qualifications like ASME Section IX for pharma or food industry equipment, which are beyond the descriptive scope of the general SOC 51-4121 classification. Hiring managers should balance these BLS data points against their specific production needs and offer packages.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How do Raleigh TIG welder salaries compare to the U.S. overall?
The Raleigh median of $56,940 is higher than the national median of $53,750. Raleigh currently reports pay above the U.S. average for this specific occupational category.
Why is it necessary to screen for certifications if the data is so high?
The BLS data aggregates all welding roles, many of which may not require high-level aerospace or pharma certifications. Screening remains essential to find the specific skills, such as AWS D17.1, that are not captured in broad occupation statistics.
What is the P90 for this role in Raleigh?
The P90 for this role in Raleigh is $71,800. This represents the wage level at which 90% of workers earn less.
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