Welder Hourly Pay in Olathe, KS: $24.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Olathe, KS runs $24.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,982 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Olathe's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,589 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olathe, Kansas, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $24.51 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This wage reflects a diverse range of opportunities within the welding field, allowing part-time workers, such as those who may only work three days a week, to earn a respectable income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Actual earnings can vary through different industries like fabrication shops, shipyards, and refineries, where workers might see rates from $18.34 for entry-level roles, up to $36.41 for experienced welders or specialized trades such as underwater welding. Such a broad hourly span indicates significant earning potential based on skill level and specialization in Olathe's welding jobs.
About the Olathe 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) | $18.34 | $146.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Median (P50) | $24.51 | $196.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.39 | $227.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.41 | $291.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olathe
Based on $24.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.51/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olathe, KS can expect to earn approximately $50,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,413. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Olathe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olathe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $980.42 | $4,248 | $50,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.25 | $2,549 | $30,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.17 | $1,699 | $20,393 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Olathe) | $24.51 |
| 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 Olathe, KS earn a median of $50,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.79% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the Kansas state average of $50,830.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.51/hr = $30,589/year (purchasing power: $33,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,982/year (purchasing power: $56,086).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Olathe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Olathe grew 26.5% from $18.63/hr (2019) to $23.57/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.49/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 Olathe 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 Olathe
For part-time welders committing around 24 hours weekly, annual earnings can fall significantly short of what full-timers collect, highlighting a substantial earnings gap. However, per diem welders in Olathe can enhance their income through travel and agency work, commonly earning between $80-$175 daily on top of base rates ranging from $40-$70/hr. In specialties like refinery turnarounds, rates can surge to $50-$80/hr, with opportunities for overtime, particularly double time on weekends. This industry dynamic also affects hourly pay across employer types; for instance, welders in structural steel fabrication might earn differently compared to those working in the aerospace sector. Often, welders are faced with the trade-off between a higher hourly wage with no benefits versus a lower rate offering healthcare and retirement options. Understanding these aspects allows welders to negotiate effectively, positioning themselves to maximize their hourly pay in Olathe, especially in a market where demand remains high due to the aging workforce and industry-specific needs.
More salary data for Olathe, 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 Olathe. 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 Olathe 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