Welder Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $33.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Bellevue, WA runs $33.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,558 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,737 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Bellevue, Washington, is projected to be $33.44, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This attractive wage reflects the welding profession's demand in various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline construction, and shipyards. Welders in Bellevue can expect to earn between $23.13 and $50.78 per hour, indicating a healthy range for both entry-level positions and experienced professionals. Part-time welders working three days a week can still benefit considerably from this pay structure, especially in high-demand regions where per diem roles allow for flexibility and the ability to earn competitively while maintaining work-life balance.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.13 | $185.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.07 | $224.54 |
| Median (P50) | $33.44 | $267.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.39 | $315.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.78 | $406.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $33.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.44/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $69,562 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,132. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,337.73 | $5,797 | $69,562 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $802.64 | $3,478 | $41,737 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $535.09 | $2,319 | $27,825 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Bellevue) | $33.44 |
| 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 Bellevue, WA earn a median of $69,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.44% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 11.70% above the Washington state average of $62,272.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.44/hr = $41,737/year (purchasing power: $38,861).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,562/year (purchasing power: $64,769).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Bellevue grew 26.5% from $25.42/hr (2019) to $32.16/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.78/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
Welders in Bellevue also have unique earning potentials based on the type of employment they seek. Those taking agency or traveling welder positions can expect per diem welder pay to range from $80 to $175 per day in addition to base hourly rates of $40 to $70. Specialized positions, such as refinery turnaround welders, can command pay between $50 and $80 per hour, with double-time incentives on weekends. Owner-operators of mobile rigs might see billings of $90 to $160 per hour, capitalizing on their specialized skills and equipment. Factors such as employer type significantly impact hourly rates; for instance, positions in aerospace and defense may offer higher pay, while some employers may provide health benefits at the cost of slightly lower hourly wages. Negotiating for the best hourly rates in Bellevue can involve demonstrating skill certifications from AWS or NCCER to secure competitive pay, especially in a market projected to face a shortage of qualified welders by 2027.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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