Welder Hourly Pay in Belton, MO: $24.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Belton, MO runs $24.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,292 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Belton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Belton, Missouri, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $24.66 in 2026, which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. This rate can be particularly significant for part-time welders working three days a week, as it allows for flexible schedules while still earning a competitive wage within various settings like fabrication shops, manufacturing plants, and pipeline welding stations. The hourly pay range for welders in Belton spans from $18.44 for entry-level positions to $32.79 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the diverse skill levels and specialization across welding sectors. As estimated from annual salary data, these figures highlight the market conditions while also providing a glimpse into the potential earning landscapes for those considering welding careers in this area.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.44 | $147.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.43 | $171.46 |
| Median (P50) | $24.66 | $197.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.81 | $222.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.79 | $262.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belton
Based on $24.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.66/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belton, MO can expect to earn approximately $51,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,587. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $986.24 | $4,274 | $51,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.74 | $2,564 | $30,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.50 | $1,709 | $20,514 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Belton) | $24.66 |
| 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 Belton, MO earn a median of $51,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $54,277.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.66/hr = $30,771/year (purchasing power: $34,342).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,285/year (purchasing power: $57,237).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Belton grew 26.5% from $18.74/hr (2019) to $23.71/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.64/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 Belton 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 Belton
Part-time welders in Belton working 24 hours a week at $24.66 per hour could expect to take home about $30,974 annually, a noteworthy figure when compared to those working full-time. Additionally, per diem welder pay in Belton can significantly boost earnings for traveling welders, with many receiving $80-$175 a day in per diem on top of base rates that typically range from $40 to $70 an hour. During refinery turnarounds, welders can earn $50-$80 an hour, including opportunities for overtime at double-time rates during the weekends. Owner-operators of rig welders can command billing rates between $90-$160 per hour depending on their equipment and service offerings. Notably, while many welders may accept lower hourly rates for positions that offer health insurance and job security, others may opt for higher pay rates without benefits, necessitating skillful negotiation to achieve favorable terms in Belton’s varied sectors such as shipbuilding, petrochemical work, and aerospace welding.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
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 Belton. 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 Belton 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