Welder Hourly Pay in Derby, KS: $24.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Derby, KS runs $24.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,102 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Derby's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,057 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derby, Kansas, welders can expect an average hourly rate of $24.08 as of 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the local labor market conditions and can have significant implications for those considering part-time work. For instance, welders working three days a week might take home approximately $37,000 annually, a figure that many in this profession find appealing given the varied employment settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing cells. The hourly range in Derby for welders stretches from $17.89 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $33.62 for the top earners, indicating ample opportunity for skilled welders to increase their pay through experience, certifications, and specialized skills.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.89 | $143.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.92 | $167.38 |
| Median (P50) | $24.08 | $192.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.87 | $222.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.62 | $268.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Derby
Based on $24.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.08/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Derby, KS can expect to earn approximately $50,095 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,901. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Derby.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Derby
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $963.36 | $4,175 | $50,095 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $578.02 | $2,505 | $30,057 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $385.35 | $1,670 | $20,038 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Derby) | $24.08 |
| 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 Derby, KS earn a median of $50,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.40% below the Kansas state average of $50,814.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.08/hr = $30,057/year (purchasing power: $33,066).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,095/year (purchasing power: $55,110).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Derby grew 26.5% from $18.31/hr (2019) to $23.16/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.05/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 Derby 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 Derby
When it comes to earning potential, the landscape varies greatly among different types of welding jobs in Derby. Welders providing per diem services, such as traveling pipe welders, can earn between $40-$70 per hour alongside per diem payments of $80-$175 daily. On shutdown projects at refineries, welders might command $50-$80 per hour, sometimes even doubling their pay for weekend work. The work of rig welder owner-operators can be lucrative, with billing rates of $90-$160 per hour, depending on equipment and project specifications. Additionally, welders in specialized fields like nuclear plant maintenance or underwater welding can substantially exceed average earnings, with underwater divers raking in $1,000-$3,000 or more per day during peak seasons. For those accepting lower hourly rates, the trade-offs often include health benefits and job stability, making negotiation on terms vital for hourly workers in Derby’s unique job market.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
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 Derby. 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 Derby 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