Welder Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $25.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Butte, MT runs $25.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,256 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,355 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $25.12 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This rate reflects the earning potential for those engaged in various welding settings, including fabrication shops and pipeline welding, where part-time and per-diem roles are common. For welders working three days a week, this hourly wage can translate to significant income opportunities, especially in roles requiring specialized techniques, such as in refinery turnaround projects or shipyard environments. With an hourly range from $18.04 for entry-level positions up to $35.90 for experienced welders, Butte's market offers a spectrum of pay that caters to different skill levels, with rates derived from projected annual data that highlight the city's competitive landscape.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.04 | $144.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.35 | $178.78 |
| Median (P50) | $25.12 | $200.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.56 | $236.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.90 | $287.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $25.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.12/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $52,258 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,149. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,004.96 | $4,355 | $52,258 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $602.98 | $2,613 | $31,355 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.98 | $1,742 | $20,903 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Butte) | $25.12 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $52,256 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $53,761.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.12/hr = $31,355/year (purchasing power: $32,593).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,258/year (purchasing power: $54,322).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Butte grew 26.5% from $19.10/hr (2019) to $24.16/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.13/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 Butte 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 Butte
When considering overall compensation strategies, welders in Butte can benefit from both structured employment and more flexible arrangements. Part-time welders working 24 hours a week could anticipate earnings of around $29,227 annually, far less than full-time workers, but still a viable option for those seeking work-life balance. Additionally, per-diem welder pay in Butte can significantly increase overall earnings, as traveling positions may offer daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175, alongside base hourly rates that can climb to $40-$70. Rig welder owner-operators, often billing between $90-$160 per hour, reflect a high earning potential regardless of the employer type. The benefits versus hourly pay dilemma is common among union and non-union welders, where lower hourly rates often come with health insurance. Negotiation tactics specific to Butte’s market can lead to better outcomes, particularly for those capitalizing on the shortage of skilled welders projected by industry standards.
More salary data for Butte, 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 Butte. 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 Butte 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