Welder Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $24.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Helena, MT runs $24.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,493 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welding professionals in Helena, Montana, will see a median hourly pay of $24.76 in 2026, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This difference could influence those considering part-time work or per-diem positions in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline projects, and shipyards. With an hourly range between $19.12 for entry-level and $34.67 for the top earners, welders can tailor their work-life balance based on their financial needs and scheduling preferences. Per-diem welders often have the advantage of flexible hours, allowing them to optimize their earnings while working on projects that demand specific skill sets, such as rig welding or nuclear plant maintenance.
About the Helena 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) | $19.12 | $152.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.13 | $177.03 |
| Median (P50) | $24.76 | $198.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.24 | $233.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.67 | $277.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $24.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.76/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $51,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,712. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $990.40 | $4,292 | $51,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.24 | $2,575 | $30,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.16 | $1,717 | $20,600 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Helena) | $24.76 |
| 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 Helena, MT earn a median of $51,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.88% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $53,750.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.76/hr = $30,901/year (purchasing power: $32,121).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,501/year (purchasing power: $53,535).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Helena grew 26.5% from $18.82/hr (2019) to $23.81/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.75/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 Helena 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 Helena
For those opting for part-time work, a typical 3-day workweek totaling 24 hours can yield significantly different annual earnings compared to full-time welders. Skilled contractors often take advantage of per-diem arrangements, commonly securing an extra $80 to $175 per day while earning base rates between $40 and $70 per hour, particularly for oil and gas jobs. Additionally, refineries may compensate welders during shutdowns at hourly rates of $50 to $80, with extra pay for weekends. Conversely, those employed by structural steel shops in Helena may earn less but receive health benefits, prompting some welders to trade higher hourly rates in exchange for stability and perks. Negotiating these rates requires understanding employer expectations, potential benefits of union membership, and establishing a reputation for high-quality work that can lead to better pay, especially for self-employed mobile welders seeking to maximize their earnings in a competitive environment.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
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 Helena. 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 Helena 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