Welder Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $26.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Waterbury, CT runs $26.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,886 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, CT, the welder hourly pay rates are projected to sit at a median of $26.35 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $26.87. This rate reflects the realities of part-time and per-diem roles commonly filled by welders. Those working part-time, for instance, on a typical schedule of three days a week, could expect to earn $26.35 per hour while gaining valuable experience in settings such as fabrication shops, shipyards, or pipeline welding operations. With the hourly pay range starting at $18.68 for entry-level positions and extending to $39.04 for more seasoned professionals, it is evident that there are opportunities for both newcomers and experienced welders. This information is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.68 | $149.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Median (P50) | $26.35 | $210.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.13 | $257.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.04 | $312.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $26.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.35/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $54,810 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,621. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,054.04 | $4,568 | $54,810 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $632.43 | $2,741 | $32,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $421.62 | $1,827 | $21,924 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Waterbury) | $26.35 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $54,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 9.10% below the Connecticut state average of $60,300.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.35/hr = $32,886/year (purchasing power: $32,959).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,810/year (purchasing power: $54,932).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+6.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Waterbury grew -1.2% from $25.64/hr (2019) to $25.34/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.40/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
The financial outlook for welders working in Waterbury could vary significantly based on job type and employment arrangements. With part-time welders earning around $20,000 to $35,000 annually, full-time welders enjoy a much more robust earning potential. Per diem welders make considerably higher rates, often between $40-$70 per hour, in addition to daily allowances that range from $80 to $175, especially for traveling assignments in oil and gas sectors. Notably, workers engaged in refinery turnarounds can command rates of $50-$80 per hour, sometimes with double-time incentives on weekends. Different employer types influence pay scales broadly; for example, underwater welders can earn between $1,000 and $3,000 per day during peak seasons due to their specialized skill sets. As the welder workforce ages with anticipated shortages, strategic negotiation for hourly rates will be vital, particularly for those balancing benefits against higher pay rates. Being informed about local industry standards and preparing to make compelling cases based on experience and certifications can yield better outcomes in salary discussions in Waterbury.
More salary data for Waterbury, 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 Waterbury. 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