Welder Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $31.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Burlington, VT runs $31.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,992 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,596 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $31.73, significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This attractive rate allows for beneficial opportunities, particularly for part-time and per-diem welders who often work on diverse projects ranging from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench welding stations. Welders can earn between $24.15 per hour at entry level to $39.05 per hour for top earners as they develop their skills and specialization. This official BLS data reflects the competitive nature of the local market, driven by various demand factors and the growing welding workforce needing certifications like AWS and NCCER.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.15 | $193.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.56 | $236.51 |
| Median (P50) | $31.73 | $253.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.36 | $274.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.05 | $312.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $31.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.73/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $65,993 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,073. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.09 | $5,499 | $65,993 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.46 | $3,300 | $39,596 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.64 | $2,200 | $26,397 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Burlington) | $31.73 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $65,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.06% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 14.10% above the Vermont state average of $57,837.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.73/hr = $39,596/year (purchasing power: $39,224).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,993/year (purchasing power: $65,373).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Burlington grew 50.7% from $20.24/hr (2019) to $30.51/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.99/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For those considering part-time hours, a welder working three days a week would typically earn around $45,000 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem welders, particularly in fields like refinery maintenance or pipeline welding, can pocket daily per diem supplements ranging from $80 to $175 alongside base hourly rates of $40 to $70. Traveling welders often see their pay spiking during shutdowns, where rates can rise to $50-$80 per hour with added incentives for weekend work. Different employer types in Burlington create diverse earning potentials—for example, structural steel fabrication shops may pay differently compared to aerospace or nuclear power plant positions. Given the current shortages in the industry, welders might negotiate for better rates, weighing the benefits of comprehensive health insurance against higher hourly wages that lack these perks.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Burlington in 2026?
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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 Burlington. 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