Welder in Round Rock, TX

As a career analyst who's spent years mapping the job markets in Central Texas, I can tell you that Round Rock isn't just a satellite city of Austin—it's a manufacturing and healthcare hub with a distinct identity of its own. For a welder, this means opportunities in everything from custom fabrication shops to the massive Dell Medical complex. This guide is built on hard data and local knowledge to help you decide if your skills have a future here.

The Salary Picture: Where Round Rock Stands

Let's cut straight to the numbers. The median salary for a welder in the Round Rock metro is $49,232/year, or $23.67/hour. This places you just slightly below the national average of $49,590/year, a common dynamic for tech-centric regions where demand for tradespeople is high but not always priced at a premium.

The local job market is tight for this specialty. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows there are 263 welding jobs in the metro area. While not a massive number, the 10-year job growth is projected at a modest 2%. This isn't a boomtown scenario for welders, but it's a stable, consistent demand.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to earn based on experience:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Annual Salary Range (Est.)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$38,000 - $45,000
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$46,000 - $58,000
Senior	8-15 years	$59,000 - $72,000
Expert/Supervisor	15+ years	$73,000+

How does this stack up against other Texas cities?
Round Rock's median is roughly in line with the Texas state average for welders. However, you'll typically find slightly higher earning potential in the industrial corridors of Houston ($52,310 median) or the Dallas-Fort Worth area ($50,850), where petrochemical and large-scale manufacturing plants drive demand. The trade-off is that those cities often come with higher congestion and, in Houston's case, humidity. Round Rock offers a more balanced lifestyle, and the proximity to Austin can open doors for specialized, high-skill contracts.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the median. In Round Rock, the real money is in certifications. A welder with ASME Section IX or API 1104 certifications can command $5-$10 more per hour than a general fabricator, especially for work on pressure vessels or pipeline repair.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The cost of living in Round Rock is a key advantage. The Cost of Living Index is 97.6, meaning it's 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average. For a single person earning the median salary of $49,232, this is manageable, but not lavish.

Let's break down a monthly budget. Your gross monthly pay is approximately $4,103. After federal, state (Texas has no income tax), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be roughly $3,350.

• Housing: The average 1BR rent is $1,635/month. This is your biggest expense.
• Utilities (Est.): $150 - $250 (Electricity is high in summer).
• Transportation: $300 - $500 (Car payment, insurance, gas; Round Rock is car-dependent).
• Food & Groceries: $400 - $500.
• Health Insurance: $200 - $400 (if your employer doesn't cover it).
• Miscellaneous (Savings, Tools, Entertainment): $300 - $500.

Can you afford to buy a home? It's challenging on a single median income. The median home price in Round Rock is around $415,000. With a 20% down payment ($83,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would leave you with a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $2,400. This would consume over 70% of your take-home pay, making it financially risky. Buying a home here on a welder's salary is more feasible with a dual-income household, significant savings for a larger down payment, or by targeting a condo/townhome in a more affordable neighborhood.

Where the Jobs Are: Round Rock's Major Employers

The employment landscape for welders in Round Rock is diverse, leaning towards healthcare construction, municipal infrastructure, and specialized fabrication. Here are the key players:

1. St. David's Round Rock Medical Center: A major employer for welders in medical gas piping and structural steel for ongoing expansions. They often hire through specialty mechanical contractors.
2. Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD): The district maintains its own facilities team, including welders for repairing stadium bleachers, gates, and equipment. It's a stable, union-adjacent gig with great benefits.
3. Dell Technologies (Campus Maintenance): While the tech jobs are for coders, Dell's massive campus requires in-house welders for custom fabrication, event structures, and facility maintenance. Check their "Facilities & Real Estate" postings.
4. AECOM / Austin Energy (Substation Projects): These companies are frequently working on grid upgrades around the metro. They hire welders for structural steel and conduit for power substations. Projects are often bid, so it's project-based work.
5. Local Fabrication Shops: Companies like Round Rock Iron Works or CNC Fabricators serve the residential and commercial construction market. This is where you'll find steady work on custom railings, gates, and structural pieces.
6. City of Round Rock Public Works: The city's water and wastewater departments employ welders for pipe maintenance and repair. These are city jobs with excellent benefits and pension plans, but they are competitive.
7. Texas Mutual (Insurance/Contractor Network): While not a direct employer, Texas Mutual is the state's workers' comp provider and has a vast network. Many of their preferred contractors for industrial and construction work are based in the area and actively recruit certified welders.

Hiring Trends: The demand is steady, not explosive. The post-pandemic construction boom has cooled, but healthcare and municipal projects remain resilient. The push for domestic manufacturing (from the CHIPS Act) is indirectly benefiting local machine shops that supply semiconductor plants in Austin, creating a trickle-down demand for precision welders.

Getting Licensed in TX

Good news: Texas does not have a statewide license to be a welder, which lowers the barrier to entry. However, certifications are what get you hired.

1. Fundamentals: You typically need a high school diploma or GED. Most training is on-the-job or through vocational programs.
2. Certifications (The Real Requirement): Employers require certifications from the American Welding Society (AWS). The most common is the AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel). For pipe welding, ASME Section IX is critical. Costs for certification tests run between $200-$500 per test.
   • Where to Get Certified: Austin Community College (ACC) has a robust welding program that offers certification testing. In Round Rock, look into Texas State Technical College (TSTC) or private schools like Welding School of Central Texas.
3. Timeline: A basic certificate program can take 6-12 months. A full Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology is typically 2 years. If you're already experienced, getting a specific certification (like ASME) can take as little as 2-4 weeks of focused training and testing.

Insider Tip: Many local employers, especially in construction, will pay for your certification if you commit to working for them for a set period. It's a common practice in the field.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live affects your commute and your budget. Here’s a local’s take:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Round Rock (East)	Older, established area. Close to city shops, St. David's hospital, and older industrial zones.	$1,450 - $1,600	Budget-conscious welders. Short commute to many local fabrication shops and the city's public works yard.
Hutto	A rapidly growing town just east, with a small-town feel. Commute is 15-20 mins to Round Rock.	$1,300 - $1,500	Families or those seeking more space. Significantly lower rent, but you'll drive more.
Pflugerville	A mix of older suburbs and new builds. Direct commuter routes to both Round Rock and Austin.	$1,550 - $1,750	Those wanting access to Austin's job market too. Good balance, but traffic on I-35 can be a factor.
Georgetown (North)	Historic square charm, slightly slower pace. 15-20 minute commute north to Round Rock.	$1,500 - $1,700	Welders working in the northern industrial parks. Quieter, but fewer amenities than Round Rock proper.
Austin (North Loop/Oak Hill)	Urban, trendy, and expensive. Commute is reverse against traffic, but rent is high.	$1,800 - $2,200+	Specialized welders with high-income partners. Not recommended on a single median welder's salary.

Commute Reality: Most welding jobs in Round Rock are off I-35, HWY 79, or HWY 183. Living east of I-35 (like in the East Round Rock or Hutto areas) often provides a smoother, albeit longer, commute to job sites.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A welder's career in Round Rock can branch in several directions:

• Path to Supervisor: Move from the booth to managing a crew. Requires strong soft skills and knowledge of project planning. Pay jump: From $58k to $75k+.
• Specialty Premiums: As mentioned, ASME/API certifications are the fastest way to increase value. A certified pressure vessel welder can make $35-$45/hour on contract.
• Inspection & QA: Transition to a welding inspector (CWI - Certified Welding Inspector). This is a desk-and-field hybrid role with less physical strain and higher pay ($70k-$90k). Requires AWS CWI certification.
• Business Ownership: Many experienced welders in the area start their own mobile fabrication or repair business, serving residential and small commercial clients. This is high-risk but high-reward.

10-Year Outlook: The 2% job growth is conservative. It doesn't account for the wave of retirements among older welders. In the next decade, you'll see a significant skills gap. Welders who are tech-savvy (comfortable with CAD drawings, CNC plasma tables) and have multiple certifications will have leverage. The demand for welders in renewable energy infrastructure (solar farms, wind turbine towers) is also a growing niche in Central Texas.

The Verdict: Is Round Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Lower Cost of Living than Austin. A $49,232 salary goes further here.	Limited Job Volume (only 263 jobs). Competition for good positions is real.
Stable, Diverse Employers from healthcare to municipal work.	Car Dependency is absolute. You need a reliable vehicle.
Proximity to Austin's Economy for specialized/contract opportunities.	2% Job Growth is slow; career advancement requires proactive upskilling.
Good Work-Life Balance with less traffic than Austin proper.	Rising Rents are putting pressure on the median wage; buying a home is difficult.

Final Recommendation:
Round Rock is a solid choice for a mid-career welder seeking stability and a manageable lifestyle. It's not the place to get rich quickly, but it's an excellent base for building a steady career with benefits, especially if you're willing to pursue certifications in high-demand specialties. If you're an entry-level welder, consider it as a place to train and get experience, but be prepared to commute to Austin for higher initial pay. For a senior welder, this is a place to put down roots, enjoy a community feel, and potentially start your own business serving the local market.

FAQs

Q: Do I need my own truck and equipment?
A: For most fabrication shop jobs, the shop provides the equipment. For mobile work, welding repair, or field service, yes, a reliable truck and your own rig (welder, generator) are standard. Many employers offer a vehicle allowance or a company truck.

Q: Is there a union presence?
A: Not a strong one. Round Rock is largely a "right-to-work" environment. The International Association of Machinists (IAM) and United Association (UA) have some presence in larger construction projects (like hospital expansions), but most jobs are non-union.

Q: What's the best way to find a job here?
A: Beyond Indeed and LinkedIn, check the City of Round Rock's career page, the Texas Workforce Commission, and network with local chapters of the American Welding Society. Many jobs are filled through word-of-mouth in the local trade community.

Q: How is the weather for welding?
A: The summers are brutally hot (often 100°F+). Working in a shop with good ventilation is crucial. Field work in summer requires strict hydration and heat safety protocols. Winters are mild, rarely dipping below freezing for long, which is good for outdoor projects.

Q: Can I survive on the median salary as a single person?
A: Yes, but with a careful budget. As outlined, after rent and taxes, you'll have roughly $1,700 for all other expenses. It's doable if you live in a more affordable neighborhood (like East Round Rock or Hutto) and avoid unnecessary debt. It's a comfortable living for a single person, but not a luxury one.