Welders Salary

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.

$51,410
Median Annual Salary
$24.72/hr
Hourly Rate
$41,688
Entry Level (P10)
$67,482
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welder Hourly Rate in Elko, NV — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Elko, NV welder hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a welder in Elko earning $24.72/hr would make approximately $29,662 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $51,414 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$29,662Reduced (32 hr/wk)$39,549Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$51,414

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$197.75
per 8hr shift
$988.74
per week
$4,285
per month
$51,414
per year

Schedule Comparison in Elko

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Elko ($51,410) with Nevada average ($54,925) and the US national median ($55,895).Elko$51,410Nevada Avg$54,925-6.40%US National$55,895-8.02%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for welders in Elko. Baseline $18.79/hr in 2025, projected to $25.70/hr by 2027.$17$20$22$25$272019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$18.79$19.54$20.79$21.02$21.64$25.65$23.77$24.72$25.70
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$18.79/hrActual
2020$19.54/hrActual
2021$20.79/hrActual
2022$21.02/hrActual
2023$21.64/hrActual
2024$25.65/hrActual
2025$23.77/hrActual
2026(current)$24.72/hrEstimated
2027$25.70/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elko metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for welders in Elko in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for welders in Elko is $24.72/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Rates range from $20.04 at entry level (10th percentile) to $32.44 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.0% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time welders make in Elko?

A part-time welder working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Elko earns approximately $2,571/month, or $30,849/year at the median hourly rate of $24.72. Many welders prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are welders in Elko paid hourly or salary?

The majority of welders in Elko are paid hourly at a median rate of $24.72/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $51,414/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time welder make per year in Elko?

A full-time welder working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Elko earns approximately $51,414/year at the median hourly rate of $24.72. This is 8.0% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $67,485/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Elko?

Part-time and per diem welders in Elko sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $32.44/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Nevada

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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