Welder Hourly Pay in Independence, MO: $26.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Independence, MO runs $26.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,366 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,224 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder hourly pay in Independence, Missouri, is projected to reach a median of $26.62 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $26.87 per hour. This competitive rate offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem welders, particularly in settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, or shipyard environments. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $19.86 per hour, while top earners in the field can achieve rates as high as $40.45 per hour. These figures reflect an industry where hourly earnings are primarily derived from the expected annual salary data, providing a clear picture of income potential across different experience levels.
About the Independence 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) | $19.86 | $158.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.37 | $186.93 |
| Median (P50) | $26.62 | $212.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.79 | $246.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.45 | $323.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $26.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.62/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, MO can expect to earn approximately $55,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,946. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,064.86 | $4,614 | $55,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $638.91 | $2,769 | $33,224 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.94 | $1,846 | $22,149 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Independence) | $26.62 |
| 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 Independence, MO earn a median of $55,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.95% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $54,228.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.62/hr = $33,224/year (purchasing power: $37,080).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,373/year (purchasing power: $61,800).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Independence grew 26.5% from $20.24/hr (2019) to $25.60/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.68/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 Independence 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 Independence
For those considering a part-time welding position at 24 hours per week, the annual earnings could amount to approximately $33,187, which is a substantial comparison to the full-time potential. Welders working on per-diem contracts often see much higher hourly rates, especially when traveling for jobs, with pay ranging from $80 to $175 daily on top of base rates of $40-$70 per hour for pipe welding. Specific sectors like refinery turnarounds may offer welders rates between $50 and $80 per hour, with provisions for double-time on weekends. Rates fluctuate widely depending on employer type, from structural steel fabrication to high-demand fields like underwater welding, which can exceed $1,000 daily during peak season. While some welders might choose jobs offering lower hourly wages for health benefits, others may prioritize pay, negotiating based on skills like 6G certification or specialized welding processes, which remain highly sought after in the Independence area.
More salary data for Independence, 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 Independence. 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 Independence 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