Welder Hourly Pay in Hartford, CT: $37.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Hartford, CT runs $37.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,034 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Hartford's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.7, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,824 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Hartford, Connecticut, earn a median hourly rate of $37.52, significantly higher than the national average of $26.87 per hour. This difference allows local welders to thrive in various demanding environments, from fabrication shops to pipeline trench welding and shipyards. For part-time workers, like those who might take on three-day workweeks, the earnings can translate to substantial income, depending on the number of hours worked. Entry-level positions start around $23.24 per hour, while experienced welders with specialized skills can command up to $44.61 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals not only the competitive landscape for welder hourly pay in Hartford but also the potential for lucrative opportunities, especially for those willing to take on unique roles, such as mobile rig welders.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.24 | $185.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.69 | $229.53 |
| Median (P50) | $37.52 | $300.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.12 | $312.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.61 | $356.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hartford
Based on $37.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.52/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hartford, CT can expect to earn approximately $78,041 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,024. With a cost-of-living index of 102.75 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hartford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hartford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,500.78 | $6,503 | $78,041 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $900.47 | $3,902 | $46,824 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.31 | $2,601 | $31,216 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Hartford) | $37.52 |
| 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 Hartford, CT earn a median of $78,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.61% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 29.40% above the Connecticut state average of $60,305.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.52/hr = $46,824/year (purchasing power: $45,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,041/year (purchasing power: $75,955).
CoL index: 102.746 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Hartford grew 58.0% from $22.83/hr (2019) to $36.08/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.02/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 Hartford 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 Hartford
Part-time welders in Hartford can earn a solid annual income even with a more flexible schedule. Working just three days a week could yield over $46,000 annually, a respectable sum compared to full-time hours. The rise of agency and per diem positions also adds complexity to earnings; traveling pipe welders often secure $80-$175 per day in addition to their hourly wage, while those engaged in refinery shutdowns frequently see rates of $50-$80, with possible double-time for weekend shifts. Rates can vary widely depending on the sector—shipbuilding, aerospace, or nuclear maintenance—reflecting the different demands and risks associated with each. For self-employed mobile welders, billing up to $160 per hour becomes feasible. Negotiating for better pay and benefits is essential in Hartford, where union structures might influence hourly wages. Some may opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance, leading to decisions that balance immediate financial needs against long-term security in the welder job market.
More salary data for Hartford, CT:
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 Hartford. 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