Welder Hourly Pay in Elko, NV: $24.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Elko, NV runs $24.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,410 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Elko's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,849 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welders in Elko, Nevada, earn a median hourly rate of $24.72, falling short of the national hourly median of $26.87. This compensation reflects the broader wage dynamics in a city where welders may work part-time or on a per-diem basis, significantly impacting their overall income. For example, a welder committing to a typical three-day workweek can expect to earn about $1,187.52 weekly before taxes. The hourly pay ranges from $20.04 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $32.44 for those at the top of the field, allowing for a diversity of earning potentials based on experience and certification levels, such as those holding a 6G pipe welding certification.
About the Elko Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.04 | $160.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.69 | $181.52 |
| Median (P50) | $24.72 | $197.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.54 | $220.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.44 | $259.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elko
Based on $24.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.72/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elko, NV can expect to earn approximately $51,414 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,662. With a cost-of-living index of 98.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elko.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elko
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $988.74 | $4,285 | $51,414 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $593.24 | $2,571 | $30,849 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.49 | $1,714 | $20,566 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Elko) | $24.72 |
| 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 Elko, NV earn a median of $51,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.02% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.40% below the Nevada state average of $54,925.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.72/hr = $30,849/year (purchasing power: $31,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,414/year (purchasing power: $52,303).
CoL index: 98.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Elko (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Elko grew 26.5% from $18.79/hr (2019) to $23.77/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.70/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 Elko 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 Elko
Analyzing the earnings of part-time welders in Elko reveals how their annual income contrasts with full-time counterparts, who may enjoy consistent hours and benefits. Working just 24 hours a week, a welder might take home around $31,008 annually, far less than a full-time wage. Furthermore, the per diem environment significantly influences income for traveling pipe welders, who often receive between $80 and $175 daily on top of their base hourly rates, substantially increasing overall pay. During refinery turnaround jobs, hourly rates can soar to $50-$80, with weekends possibly doubling that rate. While some welders choose positions with lower hourly rates for the sake of benefits, like health insurance, others may find opportunities as rig welder owner-operators, billing $90-$160/hour, allowing flexible work and increased income. Negotiating pay in Elko’s various welding sectors, from structural fabrication to nuclear maintenance, requires insight into the nuances of hourly compensation and organizational practices, helping welders secure better pay structures tailored to their skills and lifestyle choices.
More salary data for Elko, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Elko. 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 Elko 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