Welder Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $29.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Denver, CO runs $29.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,240 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, welders earn a median hourly rate of $29.44, significantly more than the national median of $26.87. This attractive compensation reflects the specialized skills required in various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and nuclear plant maintenance. Part-time welders, working three days a week, can expect to take home a respectable income while maintaining flexible schedules. The hourly wage ranges from $22.52 for entry-level positions to $39.85 for top earners, showcasing a wide spectrum of earning potential within the industry. Denver's strong job market for welders indicates not only demand but also the opportunity for those willing to hone their skills and gain specialized certifications. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data serves as a reliable foundation for these insights.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.52 | $180.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.94 | $191.51 |
| Median (P50) | $29.44 | $235.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.38 | $283.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.85 | $318.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $29.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.44/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $61,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,327. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.58 | $5,103 | $61,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.55 | $3,062 | $36,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.03 | $2,041 | $24,494 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Denver) | $29.44 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $61,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.56% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.44/hr = $36,741/year (purchasing power: $34,732).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,234/year (purchasing power: $57,887).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Denver grew 20.8% from $23.43/hr (2019) to $28.31/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.61/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 Denver 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 Denver
Given the average of 24 hours per week, part-time welders in Denver can expect to make a competitive income annually, although not on par with full-time workers. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, can command a base pay of $40 to $70 per hour, along with daily per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $175. For those working in refinery turnarounds, the pay can escalate to $50-$80 per hour, with double-time rates on weekends proving beneficial. Rig owner-operators might earn anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour, factoring in equipment costs. Across various employer types, including structural steel fabrication or aerospace, hourly rates vary based on company benefits. Welders may choose between jobs that offer lower hourly rates with health insurance versus those with higher hourly rates but no additional benefits. Effective negotiation skills can significantly influence a welder's pay, transforming an already high welder hourly rate in CO into an even more lucrative opportunity.
More salary data for Denver, 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 Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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