Welder Hourly Pay in Papillion, NE: $22.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Papillion, NE runs $22.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,572 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Papillion's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,539 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Papillion, NE is projected to reach a median of $22.87. This rate is notably lower than the national median of $26.87, reflecting local market conditions and the cost of living, which stands below the national average at 91.5. For those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, welders can expect to earn roughly $1,098.72 per week, which translates to around $57,151 annually if working consistently. As entry-level welders typically start at about $18.42 per hour, and experienced professionals can earn up to $31.13 hourly, this range caters to a diverse skill set. Employment settings for welders in Papillion include fabrication shops, pipeline stations, and manufacturing cells, providing various environments that may affect the overall welder hourly rate in NE.
About the Papillion 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) | $18.42 | $147.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.84 | $166.72 |
| Median (P50) | $22.87 | $182.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.17 | $209.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.13 | $249.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Papillion
Based on $22.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Papillion, NE can expect to earn approximately $47,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,441. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Papillion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Papillion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.70 | $3,964 | $47,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.82 | $2,378 | $28,539 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.88 | $1,585 | $19,026 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Papillion) | $22.87 |
| 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 Papillion, NE earn a median of $47,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $51,153.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.87/hr = $28,539/year (purchasing power: $31,190).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,564/year (purchasing power: $51,983).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Papillion grew 26.5% from $17.38/hr (2019) to $21.99/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.78/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 Papillion 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 Papillion
Assessing the income dynamics offers deeper insights into the financial landscape for welders in Papillion. For a part-time welder working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home would contrast sharply with full-time earnings; a full-timer could see their annual compensation soar considerably by the number of hours worked. Additionally, per-diem work presents another lucrative avenue, with rates ranging widely depending on project demands. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, often charge $80-$175 per day along with base rates of $40-$70 per hour, while specialized roles, such as those in refinery turnarounds, can fetch $50-$80 per hour with attractive overtime prospects during shutdowns. This fluctuation in hourly pay emphasizes the need for welding professionals to strategically negotiate based on their specific employer type—be it structural steel, oil and gas, or nuclear sectors—which can significantly impact their overall compensation package both in terms of hourly wage and associated benefits.
More salary data for Papillion, 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 Papillion. 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 Papillion 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