Welder Hourly Pay in Rutland, VT: $25.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rutland, VT runs $25.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,612 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rutland's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,172 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Rutland, Vermont, reaches a median of $25.78, slightly below the national hourly median of $26.87. This hourly rate provides a competitive edge for welders working part-time or on a per-diem basis in various settings, including fabrication shops and refinery projects. For instance, those working three days a week could find substantial earnings given the rate's flexibility and the industry’s demand for various welding specialties. Hourly earnings in Rutland range from $20.60 for entry-level positions to $34.91 for experienced welders, allowing professionals some room for advancement based on skill level and certifications, like AWS or ASME Section IX compliance.
About the Rutland Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.60 | $164.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.37 | $186.93 |
| Median (P50) | $25.78 | $206.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.39 | $235.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.91 | $279.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rutland
Based on $25.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rutland, VT can expect to earn approximately $53,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,935. With a cost-of-living index of 103.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rutland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rutland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.16 | $4,468 | $53,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.70 | $2,681 | $32,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.47 | $1,787 | $21,448 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rutland) | $25.78 |
| 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 Rutland, VT earn a median of $53,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.08% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.30% below the Vermont state average of $57,834.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.78/hr = $32,172/year (purchasing power: $31,084).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,621/year (purchasing power: $51,807).
CoL index: 103.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rutland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rutland grew 26.5% from $19.60/hr (2019) to $24.79/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.81/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 Rutland 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 Rutland
When considering part-time welding opportunities, a worker at 24 hours per week could potentially earn about $31,000 annually, a figure that underscores the tiered pricing in the industry. For per-diem welders, such as those traveling for pipeline projects, pay typically ranges from $40 to $70 an hour, plus per diem allowances that can be $80-$175 daily, making such positions attractive for temporary relocations. Welder pay in Rutland also varies across employer types, from structural fabrication to nuclear maintenance, where specialized certifications command a premium. Some welders may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which raises questions about work-life balance and job security. Negotiating hourly pay effectively requires knowing local market rates and employer expectations, giving welders the leverage they need to secure beneficial contracts and a fair wage in the Rutland area.
More salary data for Rutland, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rutland. 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 Rutland 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