Welder Hourly Pay in Pueblo, CO: $25.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Pueblo, CO runs $25.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,232 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Pueblo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,939 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $25.59 in 2026, placing it slightly below the national average of $26.87 for similar roles. This hourly wage provides a solid foundation for both entry-level and experienced welders, ranging from approximately $21.26 for beginners to as much as $33.28 for those at the pinnacle of their field. Welders in exceptional settings, such as pipeline trench welding stations or shipyards, can take advantage of this rate, whether they are pursuing part-time opportunities or per-diem work. With a strong presence in various industries, including fabrication shops and manufacturing plants, local welders can find diverse work environments that accommodate both full-time and flexible scheduling needs.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.26 | $170.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.52 | $188.18 |
| Median (P50) | $25.59 | $204.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.65 | $237.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.28 | $266.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pueblo
Based on $25.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.59/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pueblo, CO can expect to earn approximately $53,231 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,710. With a cost-of-living index of 91.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pueblo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pueblo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,023.68 | $4,436 | $53,231 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $614.21 | $2,662 | $31,939 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.47 | $1,774 | $21,292 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Pueblo) | $25.59 |
| 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 Pueblo, CO earn a median of $53,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.76% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 13.10% below the Colorado state average of $61,257.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.59/hr = $31,939/year (purchasing power: $34,806).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,231/year (purchasing power: $58,010).
CoL index: 91.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Pueblo grew 5.6% from $23.30/hr (2019) to $24.61/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.61/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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo
Part-time welders working three days a week, typically totaling 24 hours, can expect annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, but still appealing when considering on-the-job flexibility. For instance, part-time welders may bring home around $31,987 annually, compared to a full-time welder's higher yearly total. In addition, per-diem opportunities for welders in Pueblo can elevate earning potential considerably, with traveling welders earning substantial additional pay, ranging from $80 to $175 daily plus a base hourly rate between $40 and $70. This lucrative scenario is amplified during refinery turnarounds, where skilled welders can earn $50 to $80 per hour and double-time on weekends. Each working environment in Pueblo, from structural steel fabrication to aerospace and defense, presents its own unique salary structure, often reflective of the specialized skills and certifications welders possess, such as NQA-1 or 6G certifications. For some, the trade-off between hourly wage and benefits becomes a strategic decision, especially where health insurance options differ. Negotiating effectively is crucial; welding professionals should come prepared with market data and an understanding of what unique skill sets can bring to the table.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 Pueblo. 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