Welder Hourly Pay in Owensboro, KY: $25.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Owensboro, KY runs $25.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Owensboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.6, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,263 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Owensboro welders can expect a competitive hourly pay of $25.85, slightly lower than the national median of $26.87. This rate provides ample opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers, particularly in typical sectors like fabrication shops or manufacturing plants, where a skilled welder is essential. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this can translate into substantial earnings, while those engaged in per-diem roles, common in sectors like pipeline welding or refinery maintenance, may see significant financial benefits. The hourly wage spectrum ranges from $20.08 for entry-level positions to $30.08 for top earners, representing official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.08 | $160.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Median (P50) | $25.85 | $206.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.85 | $206.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.08 | $240.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Owensboro
Based on $25.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.85/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Owensboro, KY can expect to earn approximately $53,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,022. With a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Owensboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Owensboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,034.08 | $4,481 | $53,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.45 | $2,689 | $32,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.63 | $1,792 | $21,509 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Owensboro) | $25.85 |
| 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 Owensboro, KY earn a median of $53,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.80% below the Kentucky state average of $54,748.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.85/hr = $32,263/year (purchasing power: $36,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,772/year (purchasing power: $60,684).
CoL index: 88.61 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Owensboro grew 34.1% from $18.54/hr (2019) to $24.86/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.88/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 Owensboro 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 Owensboro
For welders looking to maximize their income potential in Owensboro, part-time work can yield varying financial returns. A welder working a three-day week contributing 24 hours would take home a decent income annually, yet that pales in comparison to full-time compensation. The reality of per-diem work often presents lucrative opportunities, especially for traveling pipe welders who can approach $70 per hour with daily per diem bonuses ranging from $80 to $175. Numerous specialized sectors offer different wages; for instance, underwater welders may command $1,000 to $3,000 a day during peak seasons, while refinery turnaround welders benefit from higher hourly rates, sometimes doubled on weekends. It's crucial to consider the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower rates that include health insurance. Welders in Owensboro can also negotiate effectively by highlighting their certifications, especially in high-demand areas like NQA-1 nuclear welding or 6G pipe certifications, which allow them to secure better pay in various employment settings.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
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 Owensboro. 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