Welder Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $23.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kearney, NE runs $23.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,250 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,551 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kearney’s welder hourly pay is projected at $23.68 for 2026, which is approximately 11.89% less than the national median of $26.87. This rate provides a foundational income for those working in environments like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations, while part-time welders—who may work three days a week—can anticipate earnings aligning with this hourly rate. With a range spanning from $18.50 (entry-level positions) to $33.41 (experienced top earners), opportunities abound within Kearney's infrastructure. These amounts are estimated from annual data, underscoring that the welding profession offers diverse avenues for income depending on skill level and job setting, including specialized fields such as nuclear maintenance or mobile rig setups.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.50 | $148.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.33 | $170.63 |
| Median (P50) | $23.68 | $189.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.61 | $220.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.41 | $267.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $23.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.68/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $49,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,414. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $947.14 | $4,104 | $49,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.28 | $2,463 | $29,551 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.86 | $1,642 | $19,701 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kearney) | $23.68 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $49,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $51,142.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.68/hr = $29,551/year (purchasing power: $32,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,251/year (purchasing power: $53,827).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kearney grew 26.5% from $18.00/hr (2019) to $22.77/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.62/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Earning potential can vary significantly for welders in Kearney, especially for those considering part-time work versus full-time employment. For instance, working three days a week (24 hours) could yield around $29,000 annually before taxes, while regular full-time hours provide a different financial structure altogether. Additionally, per diem pay for positions, particularly for traveling welders, can reach $80-$175 daily alongside hourly rates ranging from $40-$70. For certain specialized roles, such as those involved in refinery turnaround or underwater welding, the income can escalate to $1,000-$3,000+ per day. Different employer types, from structural steel shops to manufacturing plants, also present varying hourly rates. It’s essential to understand the trade-offs when negotiating pay; accepting a lower hourly rate may come with employee benefits, whereas higher pay might mean foregoing those advantages. Welders in Kearney should aim to leverage their certifications, whether it’s a 6G pipe qualification or NQA-1 for nuclear jobs, to secure better opportunities in this competitive field.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 Kearney. 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 Kearney 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