Welder Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $30.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rochester, MN runs $30.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,789 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,675 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for welders is $30.19, significantly exceeding the national median of $26.87. This robust hourly rate is enticing not only for full-time professionals but also for part-time workers, especially those looking to establish flexible schedules across various settings such as fabrication shops and pipeline trench welding sites. Welders in Rochester can expect to earn from $24.27 at the entry level, up to $36.17 for more experienced workers. This mix of competitive hourly compensation reflects the demand for skilled welders across numerous sectors, including manufacturing production lines and refinery turnaround projects. Given the official BLS data, these figures validate the attractive nature of pursuing a welding career in the region, whether on a full-time basis or as a per diem welder.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.27 | $194.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.46 | $219.71 |
| Median (P50) | $30.19 | $241.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.35 | $242.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.17 | $289.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $30.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.19/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $62,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,226. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,207.53 | $5,233 | $62,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $724.52 | $3,140 | $37,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.01 | $2,093 | $25,117 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rochester) | $30.19 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $62,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.19/hr = $37,675/year (purchasing power: $41,483).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,792/year (purchasing power: $69,138).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rochester grew 47.1% from $19.74/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.39/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Part-time welders working three days a week can anticipate annual earnings that still reflect the competitive pay in the field. With a commitment of 24 hours weekly, a welder could take home approximately $37,909 each year—a solid income compared to the national average. Many welders also delve into per-diem work, with traveling pipe welders earning base rates of $40-$70 per hour, often supplemented with daily per diems ranging from $80 to $175. Opportunities in refinery shutdowns can pay even higher, with some welders earning $50-$80 per hour, and rig owner-operators billing between $90 and $160 per hour, factoring in their equipment and overhead. Each employer type presents different earning potentials, with structural steel fabrication shops typically offering stability, while specialized sectors like underwater or nuclear welding command top-tier rates. Welders in Rochester may also face a choice between lower hourly wages with health benefits versus higher pay without them, making negotiation skills and awareness of market rates essential.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Rochester in 2026?
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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 Rochester. 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