Welder Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $22.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Liberal, KS runs $22.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,435 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Liberal, KS earn a median hourly rate of $22.78, which reflects a notable difference when compared to the national median of $26.87. This wage indicates a competitive compensation structure for part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, who can expect to take home varying amounts that may suit their needs while also balancing time with family or other obligations. Additionally, per-diem arrangements often found in sectors like pipeline welding or refinery work can greatly enhance earnings; many welders in Liberal work within fabrication shops, pipeline trench sites, or manufacturing cells where hourly rates range from $18.35 for entry-level positions to $31.91 for seasoned professionals. The potential for good pay exists within such hourly structures, although the salary reflects regional economic conditions and operational costs in Liberal.
About the Liberal 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) | $18.35 | $146.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.83 | $166.63 |
| Median (P50) | $22.78 | $182.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.30 | $202.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.91 | $255.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $22.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $47,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,341. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $911.37 | $3,949 | $47,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.82 | $2,370 | $28,435 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.55 | $1,580 | $18,956 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Liberal) | $22.78 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $47,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $50,790.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.78/hr = $28,435/year (purchasing power: $31,281).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,391/year (purchasing power: $52,135).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Liberal grew 26.5% from $17.32/hr (2019) to $21.91/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.69/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
In the context of part-time work, a welder committing 24 hours a week can expect a modest annual income compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-timer could anticipate around $28,000 annually when consistently working this schedule. Per-diem arrangements can significantly boost the income of traveling pipe welders, who may receive per diem welder pay in the range of $80 to $175 daily while earning $40 to $70 per hour. During refinery projects or shutdowns, these rates can soar to $50-$80 per hour, especially for weekend work, while owner-operators boasting mobile rigs may charge upwards of $90-$160 per hour. Choices regarding employment type can often boil down to the trade-off between hourly rates with less supporting benefits versus stable but lower wages inclusive of health insurance. In Liberal, welders should consider negotiation strategies and align their skills—like seeking specific certifications such as the 6G pipe certification—to maximize pay and stand out in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Liberal in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Liberal?
Are welders in Liberal paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Liberal?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Liberal?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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