Welder Hourly Pay in Richfield, MN: $29.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Richfield, MN runs $29.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,480 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Richfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,286 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Richfield welders are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.08 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This increase in pay reflects not only local demand for welders but also the area's particular cost of living dynamics. Part-time professionals working in settings like fabrication shops or pipeline trench welding can expect to earn a broad hourly range, from $22.73 for entry-level positions up to $41.04 for the highest-earning welders. Such pay facilitates flexibility in employment structures, whether for those opting for a three-day work week or for per-diem workers engaged in high-stakes jobs at manufacturing production cells and nuclear plant maintenance. The diversity of roles within the welding spectrum means that pay levels can vary widely, offering pathways for both career advancement and financial growth.
About the Richfield 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) | $22.73 | $181.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.20 | $209.56 |
| Median (P50) | $29.08 | $232.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.82 | $262.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.04 | $328.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richfield
Based on $29.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.08/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richfield, MN can expect to earn approximately $60,477 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,891. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,163.02 | $5,040 | $60,477 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.81 | $3,024 | $36,286 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.21 | $2,016 | $24,191 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Richfield) | $29.08 |
| 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 Richfield, MN earn a median of $60,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.20% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $62,803.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.08/hr = $36,286/year (purchasing power: $36,839).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,477/year (purchasing power: $61,398).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Richfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Richfield grew 26.5% from $22.10/hr (2019) to $27.96/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.24/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 Richfield 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 Richfield
Targeted analysis of welder hourly pay in Richfield illuminates the realities faced by part-time versus full-time workers. A welder clocking 24 hours a week can earn about $36,749 annually, while full-time welders can see earnings soar if they align with the higher-paying specializations or environments. Those engaged in per diem welding roles often pull in impressive additional compensation, with some traveling pipe welders earning between $40 and $70 per hour alongside daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175. Similarly, jobs in refinery turnarounds may yield rates of $50 to $80 hourly, particularly in overtime scenarios. It's also essential to consider the type of employer; welders in Richfield may negotiate rates based on the specific demands of oil and gas work or structural welding, weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly wages and better benefits that larger companies might offer. Insights into these factors can guide effective negotiation strategies tailored to the unique employment conditions of the area, allowing welders to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Richfield, 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 Richfield. 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 Richfield 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