Entry-Level Welder Salary in Derby, KS: $37,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:New welders entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,202 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 51-4121, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,926 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,102) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders starting their careers in Derby, Kansas can expect to earn an entry-level pay around $37,202 annually in 2026. This starting welder salary in Derby is notably below the median annual wage of $50,102, revealing a significant gap that early-career professionals may face. However, wage growth can be promising for those willing to invest time and effort into their careers, with potential earnings rising to approximately $43,529 within the first few years. The current job market in Derby appears favorable for new graduates, as the demand for welders continues to grow with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%, reflecting the increasing necessity for skilled trades in various sectors.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
Entry-level welders in Derby, KS typically start between $37,202 and $43,529 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,724 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,102 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average welding program cost in Kansas of $9,000 represents just 24.19% of the starting welder pay ($37,202/year) in Derby. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AWS-aligned welding certificate and associate programs at community colleges and technical schools. Costs vary significantly based on program length (6 months vs 2 years) and specialty certifications (structural, pipe, underwater).
WLD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level welder pay ranges from $37,202 to $43,529, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the welding field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Welder Compensation Range
The welder wage spread in Derby is $32,724 ( 87.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,202, experienced hygienists can earn up to $69,926.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,868
2025 BLS Actual
$35,775
2026 Current Est.
$37,202
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,868 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,934 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,775 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,687 | Projected |
Entry-level welder compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,868 in 2019 to $35,775 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,687. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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.
Starting Your welding Career in Derby
In Derby, employers actively seeking entry-level welders include both production welding shops and unionized employers like the UA and Boilermakers, which often provide structured apprenticeship programs. Graduates equipped with a trade school diploma, AWS certifications, and perhaps additional credentials like NCCER may find enhanced job prospects and starting pay above the baseline. Strategies for new welders in their first few years should focus on gaining experience and certifications, particularly 6G pipe certifications, which can dramatically increase earning potential. With the aging workforce in the industry and the demand for skilled welders projected to rise—estimated at a shortfall of 360,000 positions by 2027—new welders in Derby are well-positioned to impact the field positively, with realistic salary growth expected as they gain expertise and credentials.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is welding school worth it in Derby?
What do new welders make right out of school in Derby?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new welding graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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