Welder Hourly Pay in St. Peters, MO: $26.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in St. Peters, MO runs $26.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,962 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against St. Peters's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in St. Peters, Missouri, can expect a median hourly pay of $26.42, which falls slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate is significant for part-time and per-diem workers who often engage in various critical tasks across distinct settings, such as fabrication shops and industrial plants. For those working three days a week, a typical schedule would accumulate around 24 hours, which still brings in a competitive pay structure compared to other industries. The hourly pay spans a broad range from $19.32 for entry-level positions to as high as $37.42 for top earners, underscoring the variation in skill levels and experience within the field. These estimates, grounded in data sourced from 2025 BLS figures and projected to reflect market trends in 2026, demonstrate the dynamic opportunities available for welders in this region.
About the St. Peters 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) | $19.32 | $154.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.83 | $182.61 |
| Median (P50) | $26.42 | $211.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.25 | $249.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.42 | $299.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Peters
Based on $26.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.42/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Peters, MO can expect to earn approximately $54,962 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,709. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Peters.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Peters
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,056.95 | $4,580 | $54,962 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $634.17 | $2,748 | $32,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.78 | $1,832 | $21,985 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (St. Peters) | $26.42 |
| 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. Peters, MO earn a median of $54,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.67% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% above the Missouri state average of $54,257.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.42/hr = $32,977/year (purchasing power: $36,805).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,962/year (purchasing power: $61,341).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in St. Peters (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in St. Peters grew 26.5% from $20.09/hr (2019) to $25.41/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/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. Peters 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. Peters
Analyzing the financial landscape for part-time welders reveals compelling earning potentials. For example, a welder working 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $33,241 annually, a figure that clearly varies when stacked against the earnings of full-time welders. Many welders also explore per-diem work; traveling pipe welders might see base pay ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, coupled with per diem benefits ranging from $80 to $175 daily, amplifying their total compensation significantly. Specialized roles in demanding environments, such as refinery turnarounds, can yield even higher rates, sometimes exceeding $80 per hour, especially for weekend shifts. Different employer types further influence compensation; for instance, structural fabrications and shipyard positions may pay differently compared to those in oil and gas pipeline work. This variability presents an interesting negotiation landscape for those in St. Peters. Welders need to consider their total compensation packages carefully, weighing the trade-offs of hourly rates against potential benefits offered by certain employers, including health insurance and retirement plans.
More salary data for St. Peters, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in St. Peters in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in St. Peters?
Are welders in St. Peters paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in St. Peters?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in St. Peters?
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. Peters. 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. Peters 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