Welder Hourly Pay in Wentzville, MO: $24.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wentzville, MO runs $24.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,730 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wentzville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,043 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those working in welding roles around Wentzville, MO, the welder hourly pay averages $24.87 in 2026, which lags slightly behind the national median of $26.87. This rate can greatly influence the financial dynamics for part-time welders engaged for just three days a week, typically resulting in earnings that may optimally cover living expenses or allow for supplementary income. The hourly wages can range from $19.14 for entry-level positions to as high as $34.62 for top earners in the industry, making it possible for skilled and experienced welders to thrive in various work environments, including fabrication shops and mobile rig setups. Estimations for these hourly figures draw upon broader annual salary data, providing insight into the economic landscape welders might anticipate as they pursue careers in Wentzville.
About the Wentzville 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) | $19.14 | $153.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Median (P50) | $24.87 | $199.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.71 | $229.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.62 | $276.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wentzville
Based on $24.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wentzville, MO can expect to earn approximately $51,739 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,849. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wentzville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wentzville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $994.98 | $4,312 | $51,739 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $596.99 | $2,587 | $31,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.99 | $1,725 | $20,696 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wentzville) | $24.87 |
| 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 Wentzville, MO earn a median of $51,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.60% below the Missouri state average of $54,224.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.87/hr = $31,043/year (purchasing power: $34,646).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,739/year (purchasing power: $57,744).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wentzville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wentzville grew 26.5% from $18.91/hr (2019) to $23.92/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.87/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 Wentzville 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 Wentzville
Looking deeper into the hourly earnings potential, part-time welders working 24 hours a week can earn around $31,000 annually, a fraction compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem welder pay in Wentzville can drastically enhance a welder's income; for instance, traveling pipe welders may see daily per-diem rates of $80-$175 in addition to their $40-$70 hourly wages. During shutdowns, refinery turnaround welders can command $50-$80 an hour, often doubling their weekly income by working weekends. Furthermore, being a rig welder owner-operator can open doors to billing between $90 and $160 an hour. Employers in various sectors, such as nuclear power plant maintenance and shipyards, often factor in the cost of health benefits, which may lead welders to accept lower hourly wages for stable employment. Given the regional demand and industry fluctuations, negotiation strategies tailored to specific niches within Wentzville's welding landscape can significantly impact individual earning potential.
More salary data for Wentzville, 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 Wentzville. 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 Wentzville 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