Welder Hourly Pay in Pocatello, ID: $29.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Pocatello, ID runs $29.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,460 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Pocatello's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,273 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pocatello, Idaho, the welder hourly pay stands at a competitive $29.07, surpassing the national average of $26.87. This advantageous pay not only reflects the strong demand for welders in various sectors—such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and refineries—but also supports part-time opportunities for those seeking to work three days a week, often at 24 hours total. The hourly range for welders in this city spans from $20.38 at the entry-level to $30.79 for top earners, allowing flexibility for both traditional employment settings and per-diem projects. Welders can find work in various environments, including manufacturing production cells and mobile rig setups, often enhancing their earning potential through specialized skills and certifications.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.38 | $163.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.57 | $204.57 |
| Median (P50) | $29.07 | $232.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.43 | $235.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.79 | $246.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pocatello
Based on $29.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.07/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pocatello, ID can expect to earn approximately $60,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,878. With a cost-of-living index of 88.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pocatello.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pocatello
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,162.61 | $5,038 | $60,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.56 | $3,023 | $36,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.04 | $2,015 | $24,182 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Pocatello) | $29.07 |
| 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 Pocatello, ID earn a median of $60,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 13.70% above the Idaho state average of $53,175.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.07/hr = $36,273/year (purchasing power: $40,800).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,456/year (purchasing power: $67,999).
CoL index: 88.906 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Pocatello grew 53.7% from $18.18/hr (2019) to $27.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.22/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 Pocatello 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 Pocatello
The earning potential for part-time welders in Pocatello illustrates an intriguing scenario. A welder working three days a week could take home about $34,000 per year, while full-timers could see their earnings reach over $60,000 annually. Many in the trade also explore per-diem roles, with traveling pipe welders sometimes earning between $80 and $175 daily, adding significant income to an already robust hourly base of $40 to $70. In special projects, such as refinery turnaround welding, rates can climb to $50 to $80 per hour, especially during peak shutdown periods. Employers vary broadly across industries—from structural steel fabrication to high-stakes nuclear maintenance—resulting in differing hourly rates. Understanding how health insurance and additional benefits factor into negotiation can significantly influence overall compensation, particularly when balancing higher hourly rates against comprehensive benefits packages. Local welders should always evaluate their options wisely, especially as the demand for skilled labor is anticipated to increase, driven by a projected shortage in the workforce.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
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 Pocatello. 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