Welder Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $28.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Louisville, KY runs $28.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,708 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,819 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, KY, welders earn a median hourly rate of $28.70, which is notably higher than the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate reflects the steady demand for skilled welding professionals, particularly in settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline operations, and manufacturing plants. For part-time workers, such as those operating three days per week, the financial landscape can still be promising. With hourly wages ranging from $19.35 for entry-level positions up to $42.86 for top earners, welders in Louisville have varied earning potentials depending on experience and specialization. Estimates of these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, illustrating the lucrative opportunities available to those with the right qualifications and certifications, such as AWS or NCCER.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.35 | $154.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.73 | $189.84 |
| Median (P50) | $28.70 | $229.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.32 | $274.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.86 | $342.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $28.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.70/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $59,699 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,441. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.05 | $4,975 | $59,699 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.83 | $2,985 | $35,819 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.22 | $1,990 | $23,879 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Louisville) | $28.70 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $59,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.82% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $54,778.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.70/hr = $35,819/year (purchasing power: $40,111).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,699/year (purchasing power: $66,852).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Louisville grew 26.5% from $21.82/hr (2019) to $27.60/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.85/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Among welders working part-time, taking on 24 hours each week can yield a respectable annual income. For instance, such a schedule at an hourly rate of $28.70 translates to an annual take-home of approximately $36,000, which is still viable compared to full-time positions. The per diem realm offers lucrative prospects—traveling welders can earn between $80 to $175 daily on top of their base rates, and specialized positions like refinery turnaround welders can see $50 to $80 per hour, sometimes even doubling on weekends. It's also common for rig welder owner-operators to charge between $90 and $160 per hour when including their equipment. Hourly pay varies significantly across different employer types in Louisville. Welders working for structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipelines, or shipyards may encounter different compensation structures and benefits, prompting some to accept lower rates for job security and health insurance. Salary negotiations can be beneficially approached by emphasizing skill certifications, existing demand, and the potential long-term benefits of higher hourly pay versus health benefits, tailoring discussions to company needs and labor market conditions in KY.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Louisville in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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