Welder Hourly Pay in Richmond, IN: $24.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Richmond, IN runs $24.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,183 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,109 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Richmond, IN, earn a median hourly pay of $24.13, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This rate reflects the local market's demands and the specific challenges faced by welders working in various environments such as fabrication shops or pipeline projects where conditions can vary widely. For part-time welders working three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to stable returns, particularly if they engage in per-diem work, which is common in settings such as refinery turnaround projects or maintenance in nuclear plants. Entry-level welders may see hourly rates starting at $17.28, while highly skilled professionals in specialized fields such as underwater or pipeline welding could command rates up to $33.05, showcasing the potential for earnings based on experience and specialty certifications.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.28 | $138.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.04 | $176.28 |
| Median (P50) | $24.13 | $193.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.53 | $220.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.05 | $264.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $24.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.13/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, IN can expect to earn approximately $50,181 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,951. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $965.03 | $4,182 | $50,181 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.02 | $2,509 | $30,109 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.01 | $1,673 | $20,073 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Richmond) | $24.13 |
| 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 Richmond, IN earn a median of $50,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $51,576.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.13/hr = $30,109/year (purchasing power: $32,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,181/year (purchasing power: $54,963).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Richmond grew 26.5% from $18.34/hr (2019) to $23.20/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.09/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Part-time welders working a typical 24-hour week would earn approximately $28,000 annually, which is significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, those engaged in per-diem work, such as traveling pipe welders or refinery turnaround crews, often achieve more lucrative earnings, frequently receiving $80-$175 per day in addition to hourly wages that can vary widely, from $40 to $80 based on the employer type. For instance, owner-operators in mobile welding setups might charge $90-$160 an hour. While some welders might opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits like health insurance, others may choose higher hourly pay without those perks. Understanding each employer's specific compensation structure—ranging from structural fabrication to aerospace welding—can empower welders in Richmond to negotiate effectively for their skills, considering the growth potential in a market defined by skilled labor shortages projected to reach 360,000 welders by 2027.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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