Welder Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $27.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lincoln, NE runs $27.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,144 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,691 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $27.00 in 2026, which reflects a slight edge over the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate is particularly appealing for part-time welders, who might take on three-day workweeks in various settings like fabrication shops, pipeline projects, or shipyards. Even as entry-level welders earn around $22.79, experienced professionals may make upwards of $31.65 per hour. This data is sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, demonstrating the robust opportunities available in Lincoln, especially for self-employed mobile welders focused on niche markets like nuclear maintenance or underwater operations.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.79 | $182.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.34 |
| Median (P50) | $27.00 | $215.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.44 | $251.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.65 | $253.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $27.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.00/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $56,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,395. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.83 | $4,679 | $56,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.90 | $2,808 | $33,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.93 | $1,872 | $22,461 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lincoln) | $27.00 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $56,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.45% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 9.80% above the Nebraska state average of $51,133.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.00/hr = $33,691/year (purchasing power: $36,788).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,151/year (purchasing power: $61,313).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lincoln grew 24.3% from $20.88/hr (2019) to $25.96/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.07/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
When evaluating the earning potential, welders working part-time, say 24 hours per week, can expect to take home a substantial income compared to full-time peers, albeit at reduced annual numbers. Per-diem work is another avenue to boost earnings; traveling pipe welders can see an additional $80-$175 daily on top of their hourly wages, while those in refinery turnarounds earn between $50-$80 per hour, with the possibility of double-time on weekends. Distinct employer types in Lincoln also influence pay rates; for instance, those in structural fabrication earn less than their counterparts in specialized fields like aerospace or oil and gas. Many welders face decisions balancing higher hourly wages without benefits against lower rates offering health care, making negotiation skills crucial in this local job market. Understanding prevailing rates from unions like UA or the Boilermakers can provide leverage when discussing potential pay.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 Lincoln. 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