Welder Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $28.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rochester, NY runs $28.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,650 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, welders can expect a median hourly pay of $28.57, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This rate is particularly advantageous for part-time workers, like those committed to just three days per week, who can still earn a respectable income. Typical settings for welders include fabrication shops and pipeline welding stations, where the hourly range spans from $19.40 for entry-level positions to $35.26 for top earners. These figures are based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicating healthy prospects for this profession. Understanding these rates is essential for anyone considering a welding career in this region, especially in a diverse array of environments such as shipyards, manufacturing plants, and construction sites.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.40 | $155.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.80 | $190.43 |
| Median (P50) | $28.57 | $228.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.31 | $250.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.26 | $282.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $28.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.57/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $59,417 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,279. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.64 | $4,951 | $59,417 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.59 | $2,971 | $35,650 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.06 | $1,981 | $23,767 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rochester) | $28.57 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $59,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.29% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% above the New York state average of $58,647.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.57/hr = $35,650/year (purchasing power: $36,740).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,417/year (purchasing power: $61,233).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rochester grew 35.0% from $20.35/hr (2019) to $27.47/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.71/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Welders opting for part-time work in Rochester may take home around $32,344 annually based on a 24-hour workweek, creating a different financial picture than full-time counterparts. Additionally, the per diem welder pay in Rochester adds another layer of earning potential; traveling pipe welders can command $80-$175 daily on top of their base hourly rates, while specialized roles such as refinery turnaround welders and rig welder owner-operators can draw between $50-$160 per hour. The advantages of per-diem work are significant, particularly for those willing to endure the rigors of travel or challenging conditions. Notably, hourly rates vary based on employer type, with structural steel shops typically offering less than oil and gas pipeline companies or aerospace firms. This complexity in welder hourly pay in various contexts also presents negotiation opportunities. Many will have to balance a higher hourly wage with the security offered by health benefits in union roles, illustrating the trade-offs that come with different work arrangements in the industry.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Rochester?
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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 Rochester. 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