Welder Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Missoula, MT runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,624 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,771 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, MT, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $23.86, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This difference can affect the financial comfort of welders, especially for those engaging in part-time work or looking for per-diem opportunities. For instance, a welder working three days a week can expect to earn a steady income but may not match a full-time pay scale. The hourly wage range varies significantly, from $19.60 for entry-level positions to $34.88 for highly experienced welders in specialized fields. Since the job often entails diverse working environments—ranging from fabrication shops and pipeline installations to manufacturing cells and shipyards—it's important for welders in Missoula to evaluate their skills and market demand when considering their hourly prospects, based on projections from 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.60 | $156.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.45 | $187.60 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.40 | $227.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.88 | $279.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $49,619 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,626. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.21 | $4,135 | $49,619 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.53 | $2,481 | $29,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.68 | $1,654 | $19,848 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Missoula) | $23.86 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $49,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.70% below the Montana state average of $53,764.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,771/year (purchasing power: $30,869).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,619/year (purchasing power: $51,448).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Missoula grew 12.1% from $20.47/hr (2019) to $22.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.81/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Analyzing the earnings potential for part-time welders reveals another layer of financial dynamics in Missoula. A welder working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate can take home around $29,000 annually. Conversely, those engaging in per-diem work may find themselves in a more lucrative scenario, with rates often supplemented by daily allowances that can range from $80 to $175 for traveling positions. Specialized sectors, such as refinery turnarounds, may offer pay rates of $50 to $80 per hour, with opportunities for double-time on weekends. Rig welder owner-operators can command $90 to $160 per hour, while underwater welders can see an astonishing $1,000 to $3,000 per day during peak seasons. As welders in Missoula navigate their employment options, they must weigh the trade-off of lower hourly wages with benefits against higher pay rates that lack insurance. Effective negotiation tactics could include emphasizing certifications, such as the AWS qualifications or specialized capabilities, to potentially enhance their hourly rate in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Missoula in 2026?
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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 Missoula. 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