Welder Hourly Pay in Wildwood, MO: $25.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wildwood, MO runs $25.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,821 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wildwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,289 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wildwood, MO, the projected welder hourly pay for 2026 stands at $25.87, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. For part-time welders working three days a week, this rate effectively translates to manageable weekly earnings, making the profession accessible for those balancing multiple commitments. In fabrication shops or pipeline welding locations, entry-level positions can expect to start within the lower range, around $19.45 per hour, while more experienced welders commanding top earnings can reach up to $35.44 per hour. Given these figures, it's evident that hourly rates in this region reflect the overall demand for skilled welders, estimated from larger annual salary data and tailored for various settings, ranging from manufacturing cells to mobile welding operations.
About the Wildwood 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) | $19.45 | $155.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.68 | $181.44 |
| Median (P50) | $25.87 | $206.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.57 | $236.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.44 | $283.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wildwood
Based on $25.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wildwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $53,815 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,047. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wildwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wildwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,034.91 | $4,485 | $53,815 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.95 | $2,691 | $32,289 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.96 | $1,794 | $21,526 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wildwood) | $25.87 |
| 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 Wildwood, MO earn a median of $53,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $54,255.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.87/hr = $32,289/year (purchasing power: $36,037).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,815/year (purchasing power: $60,062).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wildwood grew 26.5% from $19.67/hr (2019) to $24.88/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.91/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 Wildwood 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 Wildwood
Looking deeper into the earnings potential for welders in Wildwood, part-time workers earning $25.87 an hour over 24 hours a week would net approximately $31,978 annually. This drastically contrasts with full-time earnings, highlighting the financial trade-offs for those preferring flexible hours. Additionally, per diem arrangements can increase welder earnings significantly. Traveling pipe welders often receive base rates of $40-$70 per hour, augmented with daily per diem allowances ranging from $80-$175, while specialized positions during shutdowns at refineries can yield up to $80 per hour plus overtime. The variance in hourly rates stems from the type of employer, such as structural fabrication firms versus nuclear power maintenance, each attracting different levels of expertise and compensation. Welders may consider the benefits of health insurance against the lure of higher hourly pay without such coverage. Negotiating in Wildwood requires understanding these dynamics, empowering welders to make informed choices about their work conditions.
More salary data for Wildwood, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Wildwood in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Wildwood?
Are welders in Wildwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Wildwood?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Wildwood?
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 Wildwood. 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 Wildwood 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