Welder Hourly Pay in Chaska, MN: $29.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Chaska, MN runs $29.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,053 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Chaska's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,234 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Chaska, Minnesota, can expect a competitive median hourly rate of $29.83, surpassing the national average of $26.87. This robust hourly wage positions local welders favorably, particularly for part-time employment or per-diem roles, appealing in environments like fabrication shops or pipeline projects. Entry-level welders might earn around $22.26 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $40.71 per hour, reflecting the income potential throughout the career spectrum. Chaska's mix of industries, such as manufacturing and infrastructure development, provides opportunities across various settings, ensuring that welders with the right certifications and experience can command attractive rates based on these annual salary projections.
About the Chaska Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.26 | $178.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.00 | $207.98 |
| Median (P50) | $29.83 | $238.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.94 | $271.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.71 | $325.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chaska
Based on $29.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.83/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chaska, MN can expect to earn approximately $62,056 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,802. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chaska.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chaska
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,193.39 | $5,171 | $62,056 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.03 | $3,103 | $37,234 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.36 | $2,069 | $24,822 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Chaska) | $29.83 |
| 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 Chaska, MN earn a median of $62,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.20% below the Minnesota state average of $62,807.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.83/hr = $37,234/year (purchasing power: $37,801).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,056/year (purchasing power: $63,001).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Chaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Chaska grew 26.5% from $22.68/hr (2019) to $28.69/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.03/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 Chaska 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 Chaska
Calculating the annual earnings for a part-time welder in Chaska working three days a week at 24 hours totals approximately $37,000, which still represents a solid income compared to full-time equivalents. The dynamic field includes positions where per diem roles are highly lucrative; for instance, traveling pipeline welders often receive pay ranging from $40-$70 per hour with additional daily allowances up to $175. In the fast-paced environment of refinery turnarounds, welders can command rates of $50-$80 per hour, and they may also earn double-time on weekends, enhancing their overall remuneration significantly. As welders find positions in diverse sectors—from structural fabrication to aerospace—they must consider how benefits offset hourly rates. Negotiating for better pay, especially where experience and certification can translate to higher compensation rates, is essential for building a rewarding career, whether as a union member or a self-employed contractor in Chaska.
More salary data for Chaska, MN:
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 Chaska. 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 Chaska 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