Welder Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $26.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Billings, MT runs $26.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,860 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median welder hourly rate in Billings, MT is projected to be $26.33, slightly below the national median of $26.87. For those working part-time—say three days a week—this translates to an annual pay of approximately $20,000, significantly lower than full-time wages, yet still appealing for individuals seeking flexibility. Welders often find themselves in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding stations, and specialized areas like nuclear power plants or shipyards. Entry-level welders can expect to start at around $22.99 per hour, while top earners, particularly those with advanced certifications or in demanding roles, may earn up to $40.85 per hour, showcasing notable variability in the field. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data, reflecting current employment trends in Billings.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.99 | $183.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.64 | $189.10 |
| Median (P50) | $26.33 | $210.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.46 | $251.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.85 | $326.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $26.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.33/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $54,767 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,596. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,053.21 | $4,564 | $54,767 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $631.93 | $2,738 | $32,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $421.28 | $1,826 | $21,907 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Billings) | $26.33 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $54,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.01% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% above the Montana state average of $53,750.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.33/hr = $32,860/year (purchasing power: $35,135).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,767/year (purchasing power: $58,558).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Billings grew 29.8% from $19.50/hr (2019) to $25.32/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.38/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 Billings 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 Billings
Expanding on the hourly dynamics of welder pay in Billings reveals intriguing opportunities for both full-time and per-diem workers. A welder working part-time at 24 hours per week could see take-home earnings well below a full-time income but could supplement their pay significantly through per-diem opportunities. Traveling welders often secure $80-$175 daily in per-diem, alongside base rates ranging from $40-$70 per hour. Roles in refinery turnarounds also present lucrative options, especially during shutdowns, offering rates between $50-$80 per hour and double-time on weekends. The wide variance in pay scales across employer types is evident: structural steel fabricators may offer lower rates compared to aerospace or underwater welding positions, which often command premium rates due to the high-risk environment. Moreover, many welders balance the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits, negotiating for higher wages when working independently while considering the security of health insurance offered by employers. Practical negotiation strategies, such as researching current pay for similar roles and being transparent about one's qualifications, can enhance a welder's earning potential in Billings’ competitive job market.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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