Welder Hourly Pay in St. Charles, MO: $26.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in St. Charles, MO runs $26.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,859 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,912 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a welder hourly pay in St. Charles, Missouri projected to be $26.37, the local market offers competitive wages compared to the national median of $26.87. For welders working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this translates to substantial flexibility in their schedules, whether operating in fabrication shops, participating in refinery turnaround projects, or managing mobile rig setups. As the hourly wage ranges from $19.20 for entry-level positions to $37.18 for top earners, it creates opportunities for various skill levels. Skilled welders with certifications such as AWS and those specializing in processes like TIG or flux core can access higher pay, with additional income potential reflective of their expertise and the nature of their work environments.
About the St. Charles 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) | $19.20 | $153.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.72 | $181.77 |
| Median (P50) | $26.37 | $210.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.59 | $244.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.18 | $297.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $26.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.37/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, MO can expect to earn approximately $54,853 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,646. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,054.87 | $4,571 | $54,853 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $632.92 | $2,743 | $32,912 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $421.95 | $1,828 | $21,941 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (St. Charles) | $26.37 |
| 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 St. Charles, MO earn a median of $54,859 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.85% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $54,262.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.37/hr = $32,912/year (purchasing power: $36,732).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,853/year (purchasing power: $61,220).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in St. Charles grew 26.5% from $20.05/hr (2019) to $25.36/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.42/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Income dynamics vary considerably depending on the type of welding job. Welders working part-time on a three-day schedule (24 hours per week) can anticipate earnings that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, often receive additional daily per diem rates between $80 and $175, stacking on top of a robust hourly base pay. During peak periods such as refinery shutdowns, welders can earn between $50 and $80 per hour, and those in specialized roles, like rig welder owner-operators or underwater welders, can command remarkable rates that may reach $1,000 to $3,000 per day. Furthermore, hourly rates can vary widely based on the employer type in St. Charles, influencing earners who may choose between higher pay with fewer benefits or lower pay with health insurance. Negotiating pay based on one’s skill set and certification can empower welders to maximize their hourly wage and capitalize on the region's growing demand.
More salary data for St. Charles, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in St. Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in St. Charles?
Are welders in St. Charles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in St. Charles?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in St. Charles?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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