Welder Hourly Pay in Burien, WA: $29.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Burien, WA runs $29.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,958 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Burien's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,169 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $29.78 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. For those working part-time, such as in fabrication shop production lines or as self-employed mobile rig welders, this rate provides a solid income. A part-time schedule of three days a week would lead to earnings of approximately $1,438 monthly, or around $17,250 annually, depending on the number of hours worked. The hourly rate spans a range from $22.43 for entry-level positions to $44.08 for top earners, showcasing the potential financial trajectory welders in the area can achieve through experience and specialization. While these estimates are derived from annual salary data, they effectively highlight the potential for strong hourly earnings in various welding settings, including pipeline and marine welding.
About the Burien 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) | $22.43 | $179.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.23 | $209.81 |
| Median (P50) | $29.78 | $238.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.72 | $285.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.08 | $352.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burien
Based on $29.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burien, WA can expect to earn approximately $61,948 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,739. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burien.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burien
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,191.31 | $5,162 | $61,948 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $714.79 | $3,097 | $37,169 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.52 | $2,065 | $24,779 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Burien) | $29.78 |
| 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 Burien, WA earn a median of $61,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.85% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $62,270.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.78/hr = $37,169/year (purchasing power: $34,608).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,948/year (purchasing power: $57,680).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Burien grew 26.5% from $22.64/hr (2019) to $28.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.97/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 Burien 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 Burien
Welders in Burien looking at part-time opportunities must weigh the income potential against full-time work, where annual earnings increase significantly due to consistent hours. Working 24 hours weekly at the median rate, welders earn about $17,250, while full-time welders could exceed $61,958 annually. For those pursuing per diem opportunities or contract work, such as traveling pipe welders, the compensation can be even more lucrative, often ranging from $80-$175 per day in addition to base rates of $40-$70 per hour. During peak refinery shut-downs, turnaround welders can command $50-$80 per hour, and rig welder owner-operators can bill $90-$160 per hour, reflecting the diverse earning potential based on skillset and work environment. Factors such as employer type and whether benefits are included can influence hourly rates in Burien. Those with specialized certifications like NQA-1 or 6G certifications may find better pay, while negotiations often hinge on balancing higher hourly rates with health benefits, making it crucial for welders to assess their priorities when entering this competitive job market.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 Burien. 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 Burien 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