Welder Hourly Pay in Manhattan, KS: $25.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Manhattan, KS runs $25.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Manhattan's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,536 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Manhattan, KS, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $25.27 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $26.87. This difference reflects local market conditions and the demand for welding skills in various sectors such as manufacturing and construction. For part-time welders working three days a week, this rate translates to approximately $1,942 monthly, enabling a focused approach to employment that balances work and personal commitments. The hourly range for welders in the area spans from $19.25 at the entry-level up to $31.38 for the highest earners, indicating a significant growth potential for skilled professionals. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that careers in settings like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations provide varied task environments, which contribute to the diverse pay structures experienced by welders in Manhattan.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.25 | $153.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.79 | $190.34 |
| Median (P50) | $25.27 | $202.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.27 | $202.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.38 | $251.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manhattan
Based on $25.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.27/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manhattan, KS can expect to earn approximately $52,561 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,323. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Manhattan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manhattan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,010.78 | $4,380 | $52,561 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $606.47 | $2,628 | $31,536 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $404.31 | $1,752 | $21,024 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Manhattan) | $25.27 |
| 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 Manhattan, KS earn a median of $52,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.50% above the Kansas state average of $50,789.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.27/hr = $31,536/year (purchasing power: $34,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,561/year (purchasing power: $58,296).
CoL index: 90.162 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Manhattan grew 26.6% from $19.20/hr (2019) to $24.30/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.28/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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan
Hourly earnings can diverge notably for those in specialty fields or fluctuating employment conditions. A welder working part-time can effectively earn less annually compared to a full-time peer, translating potentially lower yearly income against a stable schedule. In contrast, per diem options are attractive for welders who want to maximize their earnings; traveling welders can command rates from $40 to $70 per hour plus per diem rates that range from $80 to $175 daily. During refinery turnarounds, welders might earn between $50 and $80 per hour with the added incentive of double time on weekends. Various employer types in Manhattan, such as structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas companies, often offer different hourly compensation based on needed skillsets and project demands. This variance means some welders may choose lower hourly rates when health insurance or benefits are part of the package. For effective negotiation, being well-versed in local market pay and understanding the value of specialized certifications from AWS or NCCER can significantly enhance earning potential in Manhattan’s welding sector.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Manhattan. 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, 6-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