Welders Salary

Kansas City vs O'Fallon: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Kansas City, MO and O'Fallon, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$59,659
$28.68/hr
O'Fallon, MO
$54,222
$26.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOO'Fallon, MO
Median Salary$59,659$54,222
Hourly Rate$28.68$26.07
Entry Level (P10)$44,560$38,443
25th Percentile$50,165$45,939
75th Percentile$74,228$63,311
Top Earner (P90)$81,268$80,558
Total Employed2,71022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($59,659) and O'Fallon ($54,222) welder salaries.Kansas CityO'FallonMedian Salary$59,659$54,222Entry Level (P10)$44,560$38,443Top Earner (P90)$81,268$80,558US Median $55,895

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to O'Fallon.

The salary gap between Kansas City and O'Fallon is $5,437 (10.03%). Kansas City's median is +6.73% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $36,708,O'Fallon spans $42,115. O'Fallon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$44,560
P25$50,165
Median$59,659
P75$74,228
P90 (Top)$81,268
O'Fallon
P10 (Entry)$38,443
P25$45,939
Median$54,222
P75$63,311
P90 (Top)$80,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($64,466 effective) pays 6.53% more than O'Fallon ($60,516 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $59,659
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $64,466
O'Fallon
Nominal: $54,222
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $60,516

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,659/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,268)
  • Larger job market (2,710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,466)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose O'Fallon if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Kansas City grew 26.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.0% growth in O'Fallon over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+26.5%

$45,340 (2019) → $57,370 (2025)

O'Fallon, MO

+12.0%

$46,567 (2024) → $52,142 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Kansas City or O'Fallon?

Kansas City has a higher median welder salary at $59,659/year, compared to O'Fallon at $54,222/year — a difference of $5,437 (10.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and O'Fallon?

Kansas City welders earn $28.68/hr while O'Fallon hygienists earn $26.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to O'Fallon as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and O'Fallon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $64,466, O'Fallon = $60,516), job availability (2,710 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Kansas City vs O'Fallon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $44,560 in Kansas City and $38,443 in O'Fallon. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov