Welder Hourly Pay in Lee's Summit, MO: $25.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lee's Summit, MO runs $25.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lee's Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,263 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Lee's Summit, Missouri, receive a median hourly pay of $25.85, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate is significant for both full-time and part-time welders, particularly those working in various environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline operations, and refinery settings. For part-time welders clocking in at three days per week, this translates into a stable income that allows for flexibility while still generating a respectable earnings potential. The range of hourly pay spans from $18.85 for entry-level positions to $38.73 for the highest earners, highlighting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the profession in this region. It's critical to recognize that these hourly figures are estimates derived from projected annual salary data, tailored to reflect the local job market in 2026.
About the Lee's Summit 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) | $18.85 | $150.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.36 | $178.86 |
| Median (P50) | $25.85 | $206.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.13 | $249.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.73 | $309.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lee's Summit
Based on $25.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.85/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lee's Summit, MO can expect to earn approximately $53,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,022. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lee's Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lee's Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,034.08 | $4,481 | $53,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.45 | $2,689 | $32,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.63 | $1,792 | $21,509 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lee's Summit) | $25.85 |
| 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 Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $53,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $54,264.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.85/hr = $32,263/year (purchasing power: $36,008).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,772/year (purchasing power: $60,013).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lee's Summit grew 26.5% from $19.65/hr (2019) to $24.86/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.88/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 Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Analyzing the context of welder hourly pay in Lee's Summit reveals diverse earning opportunities based on employment type. For instance, a part-time welder working a typical 24-hour week could expect to take home about $31,000 annually, compared to a full-time peer whose earnings may easily exceed $53,775. Welders who take on per-diem work also have significant earnings potential; traveling pipe welders can command $40-$70 per hour, often supplemented by $80-$175 daily per diem. Refineries during shutdowns frequently offer $50-$80 per hour along with double-time on weekends. Employer types significantly influence pay scales as well, with structural steel shops typically providing different rates than oil and gas pipeline jobs or aerospace positions. While some welders might opt for lower wages in exchange for benefits and job security, especially within larger companies, experienced owner-operators can bill upwards of $90-$160 per hour. Negotiating for better rates, particularly knowing the competitive landscape within Lee's Summit, can lead to more favorable outcomes for those in the field.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit 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