Welder Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $24.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lafayette, IN runs $24.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,976 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,589 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Lafayette, Indiana, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $24.51 in 2026, which positions them below the national hourly median of $26.87. This hourly rate reflects the region's competitive market for welding professionals, many of whom work part-time or on a per-diem basis across various settings, including fabrication shops, pipeline trenching sites, and manufacturing plants. For instance, a welder working three days a week may find this wage conducive to consistent earnings while balancing other commitments. Hourly rates in Lafayette range from $19.71 for entry-level positions to upwards of $30.89 for highly experienced welders, indicating a robust opportunity for career advancement and specialization within the field.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.71 | $157.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.45 | $195.58 |
| Median (P50) | $24.51 | $196.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.70 | $213.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.89 | $247.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $24.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.51/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $50,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,413. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $980.42 | $4,248 | $50,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.25 | $2,549 | $30,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.17 | $1,699 | $20,393 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lafayette) | $24.51 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $50,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.10% below the Indiana state average of $51,543.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.51/hr = $30,589/year (purchasing power: $32,740).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,982/year (purchasing power: $54,567).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lafayette grew 16.9% from $20.16/hr (2019) to $23.57/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.49/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
For those seeking flexible work arrangements, part-time welders in Lafayette could take home a significant amount even while working fewer hours. A welder clocking in at 24 hours a week could potentially earn $28,000 annually, a pragmatic choice compared to a full-time role. The reality for per-diem welders, like those traveling for pipeline projects, can yield daily rates ranging from $80 to $175 on top of an hourly base of $40 to $70, translating to lucrative paychecks that can vary widely depending on employer type and project scope. Local oil and gas industries may offer higher rates during refinery shutdowns, challenging welding conditions, or specialized contracts—like underwater or nuclear welding—where earnings can soar to $1,000 or more per day. While some welders might prefer higher hourly pay without benefits, others may accept lower rates for job security and health insurance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for negotiating offers in Lafayette's welding job market, ensuring both hourly compensation and additional benefits align with individual financial goals and lifestyle needs.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Lafayette?
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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 Lafayette. 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