Welder Hourly Pay in Coralville, IA: $27.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Coralville, IA runs $27.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,642 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Coralville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,989 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Coralville, IA, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $27.23 in 2026, positioning it slightly above the national median of $26.87. This rate is beneficial for part-time workers, such as those who may operate on a three-day work week, and for per-diem welders who may work in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline construction sites, or shipyards. The hourly range for welders in Coralville spans from $20.64 for entry-level positions up to $38.15 for top earners, reflecting a robust job market that favors skilled professionals. With a projected growth rate of 3.99% over the next five years, aspiring welders can find opportunities that offer both competitive pay and potential for advancement in various industrial environments.
About the Coralville 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) | $20.64 | $165.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.88 | $191.01 |
| Median (P50) | $27.23 | $217.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.32 | $242.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.15 | $305.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Coralville
Based on $27.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.23/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Coralville, IA can expect to earn approximately $56,649 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,682. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Coralville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Coralville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.40 | $4,721 | $56,649 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.64 | $2,832 | $33,989 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.76 | $1,888 | $22,660 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Coralville) | $27.23 |
| 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 Coralville, IA earn a median of $56,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $59,561.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.23/hr = $33,989/year (purchasing power: $37,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,649/year (purchasing power: $62,665).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Coralville grew 26.5% from $20.70/hr (2019) to $26.19/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.32/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 Coralville 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 Coralville
Welders who choose part-time work can expect to earn a significant income even while working only 24 hours a week. This yields a take-home amount that can be quite competitive compared to full-time positions. Those in travel roles or agency placements often enjoy enticing per diem welder pay in Coralville, which can range from $80-$175 daily, complemented by substantial hourly wages that might reach $70 or more. Similarly, refinery turnaround projects could command $50 to $80 per hour, particularly during the intense shutdown periods. The variation in hourly rates largely depends on the type of work—welders involved in structural steel fabrication may earn different wages than those working in nuclear maintenance or pipeline welding. While some welders might accept lower pay for the benefits packages that come with union jobs, others may opt for higher rates with no health benefits in private contracting. For those in the field, negotiating benefits and rates effectively can provide a notable edge in maximizing overall compensation.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 Coralville. 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 Coralville 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