Welder Hourly Pay in Ankeny, IA: $27.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Ankeny, IA runs $27.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,871 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Ankeny's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,729 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Ankeny, Iowa, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.83, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $26.87. This rate is conducive for both part-time and per-diem positions often found within various welding environments such as fabrication shops, nuclear plant maintenance, and shipyards. For welders working part-time three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a substantial income on a flexible schedule, while per-diem opportunities allow for additional earnings in specialized fields. With the hourly range in Ankeny spanning from approximately $20.70 at the entry level to around $40.80 for experienced professionals, there are various avenues for welders to enhance their income, reflecting the estimated annual salaries derived from current trends.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.70 | $165.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.31 | $194.50 |
| Median (P50) | $27.83 | $222.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.22 | $265.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.80 | $326.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ankeny
Based on $27.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.83/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ankeny, IA can expect to earn approximately $57,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,393. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ankeny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ankeny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,113.11 | $4,823 | $57,882 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.87 | $2,894 | $34,729 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $445.24 | $1,929 | $23,153 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Ankeny) | $27.83 |
| 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 Ankeny, IA earn a median of $57,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $59,539.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.83/hr = $34,729/year (purchasing power: $38,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,882/year (purchasing power: $64,028).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Ankeny grew 26.5% from $21.15/hr (2019) to $26.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.94/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 Ankeny 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 Ankeny
Part-time welders in Ankeny can maximize their earnings significantly compared to a full-time position, especially when considering the flexibility of working three days a week. While a full-time welder racks up an annual salary based on a 40-hour workweek, those opting for part-time schedules take home a more manageable yet substantial income without the commitment to overtime. In the context of per diem welder pay in Ankeny, traveling welders often secure daily per-diem allowances ranging from $80 to $175, in addition to a base hourly rate of $40 to $70, making this a lucrative option. Additionally, during turnaround periods at refineries, welders can earn between $50 and $80 per hour, along with potential double-time pay for weekend shifts. As compensation varies across different sectors — from structural steel shops to nuclear power plants — welders must weigh the balance between hourly rates and the benefits offered by employers, such as health insurance or pension plans. Negotiating these rates can be pivotal for those entering the workforce, especially in a city like Ankeny where demand for skilled welders persists.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Ankeny. 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 Ankeny 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