Welder Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $25.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Topeka, KS runs $25.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,440 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,069 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $25.70 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national average of $26.87. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day-per-week schedule, this translates to a gross weekly income of approximately $1,536 based on 24 hours of work. Welders commonly find employment in diverse settings, from fabrication shops and manufacturing cells to more specialized roles like pipeline welding or nuclear plant maintenance. This hourly pay structure allows for varying experiences, with entry-level welders starting at $18.72 and seasoned professionals, particularly in high-demand roles, earning up to $35.75 per hour, according to official BLS data. Such numbers underscore the competitive nature of the industry in Topeka against a backdrop of an aging workforce and rising demand for qualified welders.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.72 | $149.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.78 | $182.27 |
| Median (P50) | $25.70 | $205.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.60 | $236.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.75 | $286.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $25.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.70/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $53,448 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,835. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,027.84 | $4,454 | $53,448 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $616.70 | $2,672 | $32,069 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $411.13 | $1,782 | $21,379 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Topeka) | $25.70 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $53,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.39% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.20% above the Kansas state average of $50,799.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.70/hr = $32,069/year (purchasing power: $36,105).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,448/year (purchasing power: $60,175).
CoL index: 88.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Topeka grew 35.5% from $18.24/hr (2019) to $24.71/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.72/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
For those considering part-time work, a welder on a 24-hour week could potentially earn around $39,840 annually, significantly less than full-time colleagues, yet it allows for flexibility—crucial for many. On another note, per diem welder pay in Topeka illustrates a lucrative alternative; professionals traveling for projects can see rates between $80 and $175 daily on top of an hourly wage, while specialized roles like refinery turnaround welders can command between $50 to $80 per hour, with double-time available on weekends. Various employers, including structural steel fabrication shops and oil pipeline projects, further influence salary dynamics, as they often provide health insurance—an enticing benefit that may attract welders to lower-hourly, but more stable jobs. Practical negotiation strategies for welders in Topeka can include underscoring certifications like AWS or NQA-1 for specialty roles, which can enhance leverage during discussions around pay and benefits.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 Topeka. 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