Welder Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $25.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Jefferson City, MO runs $25.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,638 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,185 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jefferson City, Missouri, the welder hourly pay is estimated at $25.79, which falls slightly below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This figure highlights the economic landscape for welders in the region, especially for those considering part-time or per-diem positions which are common in various settings including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards. For example, a welder working three days a week could anticipate a consistent income while enjoying a flexible schedule. The hourly wage varies significantly in Jefferson City, with entry-level positions earning around $19.19 to seasoned welders at the higher end, making as much as $29.53 per hour, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 data projected to 2026.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.19 | $153.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.87 | $190.93 |
| Median (P50) | $25.79 | $206.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.53 | $236.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.53 | $236.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $25.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.79/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $53,642 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,947. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.58 | $4,470 | $53,642 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.95 | $2,682 | $32,185 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.63 | $1,788 | $21,457 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Jefferson City) | $25.79 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $53,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.10% below the Missouri state average of $54,235.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.79/hr = $32,185/year (purchasing power: $36,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,642/year (purchasing power: $60,974).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Jefferson City grew 40.8% from $17.61/hr (2019) to $24.80/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.82/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
Income potential can vary sharply based on the type of work and employer. Welders who engage in part-time assignments (24 hours a week) may find their annual earnings considerably lower than full-time counterparts, generally translating to around $30,000 compared to $53,638 for those working full-time or more hours. Per diem opportunities can enhance welders' pay significantly; for example, traveling pipe welders might earn a base hourly rate of $40 to $70, along with daily stipends ranging from $80 to $175. Refinery turnaround welders may command $50-$80 per hour during shutdowns, while self-employed mobile rig welders can charge between $90 and $160 per hour including their equipment costs. This variety creates a trade-off between hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance, making negotiation skills essential, particularly in a labor market where the aging workforce increases demand. Understanding these dynamics can greatly impact a welder's financial strategy in Jefferson City, MO.
More salary data for Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City. 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