Welder Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $24.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lawrence, 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 Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,057 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder hourly pay in Lawrence, KS, is projected to reach a median of $24.08 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national average of $26.87. This rate provides a solid income for various welding environments, including fabrication shops and mobile welding set-ups. Welders working part-time, for example, may find themselves earning approximately $577 weekly while working three days a week, translating to about $30,000 annually, which could support a modest lifestyle in this area. The hourly wage landscape varies widely, with entry-level workers earning around $18.92, while experienced welders can earn up to $32.02 or more. These figures are derived from the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, providing a comprehensive view of the occupation's earning potential in Lawrence.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.92 | $151.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.67 | $181.36 |
| Median (P50) | $24.08 | $192.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.62 | $236.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.02 | $256.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $24.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.08/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, 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 90.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| 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 (Lawrence) | $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 Lawrence, 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: $33,307).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,095/year (purchasing power: $55,511).
CoL index: 90.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.24/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 Lawrence grew 4.5% from $22.17/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
Analyzing part-time and per-diem possibilities reveals additional earning potential for welders in Lawrence. For instance, a 3-day workweek could yield around $24,000 annually, a stark contrast to what full-time welders might make. Per diem pay in this field can greatly enhance earnings, especially for traveling pipe welders who typically command $40-$70 hourly rates along with daily allowances of $80-$175. During high-demand situations like refinery turnarounds, welders may see their wages jump to $50-$80 per hour plus additional compensation for weekend work. Specialty fields, such as underwater welding, can lead to daily earnings exceeding $1,000. Moreover, while some welders opt for positions offering lower hourly pay due to included benefits, others pursue higher rates with fewer perks, making negotiation a critical skill in this market. Understanding the specific requirements of different companies, such as aerospace or nuclear welding, can further impact pay scales and job security in the region.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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