Welder Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kansas City, MO runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,659 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, the 2026 median welder hourly pay is projected to be $28.68, which represents a notable increase compared to the national median of $26.87. This robust hourly wage positions Kansas City welders favorably within the industry, providing opportunities for part-time and per-diem work that can be lucrative. For instance, part-time welders working three days a week could earn substantial income while managing other commitments, typically drawing from settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding operations, and manufacturing facilities. Entry-level positions may start at around $21.42 per hour, while experienced welders commanding top-tier skills can earn as much as $39.07 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects not only competitive compensation within the region but also the varied roles and responsibilities that welders undertake across different industries in Missouri.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.42 | $171.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.12 | $192.92 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.69 | $285.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.07 | $312.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $59,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,417. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.22 | $4,971 | $59,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.33 | $2,983 | $35,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.89 | $1,989 | $23,862 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kansas City) | $28.68 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $59,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.73% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 10.00% above the Missouri state average of $54,236.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,793/year (purchasing power: $38,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,655/year (purchasing power: $64,462).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kansas City grew 26.5% from $21.80/hr (2019) to $27.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/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 Kansas 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 Kansas City
Exploring the actual earning potential for welders reveals significant variations depending on work scenarios and employer types. A part-time welder in Kansas City working 24 hours per week can expect an annual take-home of around $35,000, which pales in comparison to full-time income prospects. Per-diem welders, especially those in pipeline construction or refinery work, often enhance their earnings through daily stipends that range from $80 to $175. Those engaged in specialized tasks, like underwater welding, can see rates soar to $1,000 to $3,000+ per day during peak seasons. In the local market, hourly rates can differ greatly; fabrication shops may offer competitive pay, but traveling welders on cross-country pipeline projects or within petrochemical refineries often access higher compensation due to the hazardous nature of the work. Welders may need to strategize when negotiating their pay, balancing hourly rate against benefits such as health insurance, which can become a critical factor in career decisions, particularly for those aligned with unions or specialized certifications like the AWS.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Kansas 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