Welder Hourly Pay in Moses Lake, WA: $28.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Moses Lake, WA runs $28.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Moses Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,027 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $28.87 for welders in Moses Lake, Washington, professionals in this trade earn notably more than the national median of $26.87. This favorable rate allows for substantial earnings whether working full-time or part-time, with a worker on a three-day-per-week schedule pulling in over $40,000 annually based on this hourly rate. The pay scale for welders in Moses Lake ranges from around $22.73 per hour for entry-level positions to approximately $40.76 for the most experienced, reflecting both skill level and the complexity of jobs typically found in the region, including fabrication shop production lines and large-scale pipeline projects. These hourly estimates, derived from annual salary data, emphasize the competitive landscape for welders, offering significant incentivization for those pursuing specialized and high-demand sectors.
About the Moses Lake 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) | $22.73 | $181.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.06 | $208.48 |
| Median (P50) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.74 | $269.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.76 | $326.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moses Lake
Based on $28.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moses Lake, WA can expect to earn approximately $60,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,641. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Moses Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moses Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,154.70 | $5,004 | $60,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $692.82 | $3,002 | $36,027 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.88 | $2,001 | $24,018 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Moses Lake) | $28.87 |
| 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 Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $60,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.43% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $62,228.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.87/hr = $36,027/year (purchasing power: $33,545).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,045/year (purchasing power: $55,908).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Moses Lake grew 26.5% from $21.94/hr (2019) to $27.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.02/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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
Consider the financial outlook for part-time welders: a typical three-day workweek of 24 hours yields an annual take-home that can approach $43,996, substantially lower than what full-time welders generate but still providing a viable income. Additionally, per diem arrangements can significantly boost earnings for welders engaged in short-term projects or traveling positions; it's not uncommon for per diem welder pay in Moses Lake to reach $80 to $175 per day on top of a healthy base pay. Specialty roles like refinery turnaround welders can earn between $50 and $80 per hour, particularly during weekends when double-time rates apply. Hourly wage variations often depend on employer type. Structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas companies typically offer different pay structures, as do underwater welding jobs, which can see earnings soar to $1,000 a day in peak seasons. Being strategic about negotiations—navigating health benefits versus increased pay without benefits—can also play a critical role in a welder's overall compensation strategy in this city.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake 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