Welder Hourly Pay in Wheat Ridge, CO: $28.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wheat Ridge, CO runs $28.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,925 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wheat Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,352 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, can expect a median hourly rate of $28.33, which positions them favorably above the national median of $26.87. This earning potential is advantageous for part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, allowing them to effectively manage their schedules while still earning competitive pay in various settings like fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and manufacturing plants. For entry-level welders, hourly rates start at approximately $22.22, while more experienced professionals can reach earnings as high as $39.93 per hour. These rates arise from broader annual salary trends projected for 2026, reflecting the growing demand and specialized skills required in areas such as structural steel, petrochemicals, and specialized mobile welding operations.
About the Wheat Ridge 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) | $22.22 | $177.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.49 | $203.90 |
| Median (P50) | $28.33 | $226.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.01 | $264.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.93 | $319.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheat Ridge
Based on $28.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.33/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheat Ridge, CO can expect to earn approximately $58,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,992. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wheat Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheat Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.08 | $4,910 | $58,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.85 | $2,946 | $35,352 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.23 | $1,964 | $23,568 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wheat Ridge) | $28.33 |
| 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 Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $58,925 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $61,252.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.33/hr = $35,352/year (purchasing power: $33,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,920/year (purchasing power: $56,114).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wheat Ridge grew 26.5% from $21.53/hr (2019) to $27.24/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.46/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 Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge
Exploring the financial landscape for part-time welders reveals that those working a 24-hour week could potentially take home about $39,057 annually, significantly less than those committing to full-time employment. For per-diem welders, the situation becomes more lucrative, as many traveling positions yield daily allowances of $80 to $175, alongside base rates ranging from $40 to $70 an hour. Additionally, specialized roles during refinery turnarounds may demand hourly wages of $50 to $80, particularly on weekends when double-time pay often applies. Various employer types exhibit a wide range of pay dynamics; for instance, underwater welders possess the potential to earn between $1,000 to $3,000 per day during peak seasons. While circumstances differ, welders may need to negotiate between slightly lower hourly wages with benefits or higher rates without support. Understanding the particular hiring trends and conditions in Wheat Ridge can inform smarter negotiations and career choices for aspiring welders in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge. 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 Wheat Ridge 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