Welder Hourly Pay in Yankton, SD: $23.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Yankton, SD runs $23.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Yankton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,914 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Yankton, South Dakota, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.97, which falls below the national hourly median of $26.87. This hourly rate, critical for both full-time and part-time welders, has implications for various work settings, from fabrication shops to pipeline projects and mobile rig setups. Welders working only three days a week, for example, may find that their earnings translate to a reasonable income, especially if they can supplement with per-diem work. The range of hourly wages spans from $18.61 for entry-level positions to $31.87 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of skill sets and experiences in the field. Overall, the welder hourly pay in Yankton indicates not only the local employment landscape but also the importance of proficiency in specialized welding techniques, such as TIG and flux-cored welding, to secure a competitive rate.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.61 | $148.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.34 | $170.71 |
| Median (P50) | $23.97 | $191.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.95 | $215.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.87 | $254.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yankton
Based on $23.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.97/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yankton, SD can expect to earn approximately $49,857 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,764. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yankton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yankton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $958.79 | $4,155 | $49,857 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $575.27 | $2,493 | $29,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.52 | $1,662 | $19,943 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Yankton) | $23.97 |
| 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 Yankton, SD earn a median of $49,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $51,884.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.97/hr = $29,914/year (purchasing power: $32,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,857/year (purchasing power: $53,725).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Yankton grew 26.5% from $18.22/hr (2019) to $23.05/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.93/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 Yankton 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 Yankton
Exploring the earning potential further reveals that part-time welders, working roughly 24 hours a week, bring home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. While freelance welders might command rates of $40-$70/hr alongside daily per-diem compensation upwards of $175, refinery shutdown work often pays between $50-$80/hr, sometimes including double-time on weekends. Each employer type, from structural steel shops to nuclear power maintenance, affects pay levels. For those who choose the self-employed route, rates can reach $90-$160/hr, making ownership appealing despite its challenges. Certain benefits associated with union positions sometimes lead to lower hourly pay compared to freelancing; welders based in Yankton should weigh the trade-offs carefully. Effective negotiation tactics and the ability to showcase certifications, like NQA-1 or a 6G pipe certification, can also enhance pay prospects, making for a favorable job market in the realm of welder hourly rates in SD.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Yankton in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Yankton?
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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 Yankton. 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 Yankton 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