Welder Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $24.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Grand Island, NE runs $24.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,893 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,537 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In the welding profession within Grand Island, Nebraska, the 2026 median hourly rate is projected to be $24.47, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This rate reflects the economic conditions specific to the area, where welders typically find employment in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and manufacturing plants. For part-time workers logging approximately 24 hours a week, the financial consideration becomes significant; they can still generate respectable earnings while balancing time for other pursuits or commitments. With a range that spans from $21.51 for entry-level positions to $30.43 for experienced professionals, this hourly data from the BLS is a vital gauge for current and prospective welders contemplating their earning potential in the local market.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.51 | $172.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.18 | $193.42 |
| Median (P50) | $24.47 | $195.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.72 | $229.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.43 | $243.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $24.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.47/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $50,895 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,363. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $978.75 | $4,241 | $50,895 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $587.25 | $2,545 | $30,537 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.50 | $1,697 | $20,358 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Grand Island) | $24.47 |
| 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 Grand Island, NE earn a median of $50,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% below the Nebraska state average of $51,148.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.47/hr = $30,537/year (purchasing power: $35,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,895/year (purchasing power: $58,732).
CoL index: 86.657 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Grand Island grew 30.1% from $18.08/hr (2019) to $23.53/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.45/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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Part-time welders in Grand Island, working three days a week, can expect to earn around $30,123 annually, contrasting with full-time welders, who potentially earn upwards of $50,893. In addition to these hourly wages, the per diem opportunities for traveling welders are noteworthy; rates can reach between $80 and $175 per day alongside an hourly wage of $40-$70. During refinery shutdowns, turnaround welders can command $50-$80 per hour, enjoying double-time on weekends. Unique skills such as underwater welding can lead to daily earnings ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Employer types also influence pay dynamics, with specialized roles in structural steel fabrication and nuclear power maintenance often commanding higher rates. Welders should assess the benefits of job offers, as lower hourly rates may include health insurance while higher rates might not. When entering negotiations for welder hourly pay in Grand Island, it's wise to consider industry benchmarks and prepare to leverage one's skills effectively.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 Grand Island. 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