Welder Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $28.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kansas City, KS runs $28.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,027 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $28.87 by 2026, placing it above the national median of $26.87. This competitive pay allows for substantial earnings, and various work arrangements such as part-time or per-diem positions can significantly affect income. For those working three days a week, bringing in roughly $19.91 initially (the 10th percentile) and potentially earning up to $41.76 (the 90th percentile) per hour, could lead to varying weekly earnings depending on hours worked. The diversity of welding environments—from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench installations—means that opportunities abound, whether for self-employed mobile rig welders or those engaged in refinery projects or shipyard work.
About the Kansas City 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) | $19.91 | $159.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.10 | $192.84 |
| Median (P50) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.88 | $271.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.76 | $334.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $28.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $60,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,641. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,154.70 | $5,004 | $60,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $692.82 | $3,002 | $36,027 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.88 | $2,001 | $24,018 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kansas City) | $28.87 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $60,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 18.20% above the Kansas state average of $50,794.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.87/hr = $36,027/year (purchasing power: $39,633).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,045/year (purchasing power: $66,056).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kansas City grew 26.5% from $21.94/hr (2019) to $27.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.02/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
When analyzing the earning potential for part-time welders in Kansas City, those working 24 hours a week could expect to earn around $37,036 annually compared to their full-time counterparts, who generally receive far more. Per-diem and agency workers often experience an entirely different economic reality, especially traveling pipe welders who can command an impressive $40-$70/hr along with daily per-diem rates ranging from $80-$175 based on their project locations. Specialized sectors, such as refinery turnaround crews and underwater welding, can yield even greater compensation, sometimes reaching $1,000-$3,000/day during peak seasons. With a wave of retirements projected in the next few years, the growing demand for welders will definitely play into compensation negotiations. Effective negotiation strategies will be essential for welders in Kansas City, whether seeking higher hourly wages or considering benefits packages that vary across structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline employers, and manufacturing entities.
More salary data for Kansas City, 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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City 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