Welder Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $28.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Commerce City, CO runs $28.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,407 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,650 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Commerce City, Colorado, is projected to be $28.57, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $26.87. This competitive rate opens doors for both part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline projects, and shipyards. Welders working three days a week can expect earnings significantly impacted by their hours, earning $24,000 annually at this median rate for part-time schedules. The hourly pay in Commerce City varies widely among welders, with entry-level positions beginning at approximately $21.15 and top earners reaching as much as $40.73, highlighting the potential for lucrative opportunities based on skill and specialization.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.15 | $169.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.90 | $199.16 |
| Median (P50) | $28.57 | $228.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.40 | $267.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.73 | $325.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $28.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.57/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $59,417 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,279. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.64 | $4,951 | $59,417 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.59 | $2,971 | $35,650 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.06 | $1,981 | $23,767 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Commerce City) | $28.57 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Commerce City, CO earn a median of $59,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.28% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $61,245.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.57/hr = $35,650/year (purchasing power: $33,953).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,417/year (purchasing power: $56,588).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Commerce City grew 26.5% from $21.72/hr (2019) to $27.47/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City 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.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Commerce City
Considering the realities of part-time work, a welder on a three-day workweek earns considerably less than their full-time counterparts, with annual take-home pay reflecting the reduced hours. Especially in the per-diem context, traveling welders can attract daily rates that range from $80 to $175 in addition to their base hourly wages of $40 to $70. Specific fields such as refinery turnarounds can yield rewards of $50 to $80 per hour, with double-time on weekends further enhancing earnings. Moreover, specialization in underwater welding opens the door to extraordinary pay, reaching as much as $3,000 a day during peak season. In Commerce City, welders employed in areas like structural steel fabrication or nuclear power may encounter different pay structures based on company benefits, leading some to opt for slightly lower wages for associated health benefits. Negotiating hourly rates can be strategic; understanding the local market and leveraging skills like AWS certifications or specialized training can significantly influence potential pay in this competitive field.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Commerce City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City 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