Welder Hourly Pay in Pullman, WA: $28.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Pullman, WA runs $28.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,741 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Pullman's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,845 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pullman, Washington, the welder hourly pay stands at $28.72, which exceeds the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate is significant for part-time welders or those working in per-diem roles, allowing for flexibility in high-demand settings like fabrication shop production lines, pipeline trench welding stations, and refinery turnarounds. For welders in Pullman, the hourly pay ranges from $22.41 for entry-level positions to as much as $41.36 for the highest earners. With a robust variety of work environments—ranging from shipyard hull welding bays to self-employed mobile rig setups—those drawn to this profession can better understand potential earnings through the lens of hourly compensation, making it easier to budget for daily expenses and fluctuating workloads.
About the Pullman 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) | $22.41 | $179.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.75 | $205.98 |
| Median (P50) | $28.72 | $229.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.99 | $271.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.36 | $330.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pullman
Based on $28.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.72/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pullman, WA can expect to earn approximately $59,742 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,466. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pullman.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pullman
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.88 | $4,978 | $59,742 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.33 | $2,987 | $35,845 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.55 | $1,991 | $23,897 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Pullman) | $28.72 |
| 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 Pullman, WA earn a median of $59,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.88% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.00% below the Washington state average of $62,230.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.72/hr = $35,845/year (purchasing power: $33,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,742/year (purchasing power: $55,626).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Pullman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Pullman grew 26.5% from $21.83/hr (2019) to $27.62/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.87/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 Pullman 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 Pullman
For part-time welders clocking in three days a week with about 24 hours of work, the annual earnings can translate to approximately $36,000—a stark contrast to a full-time schedule that brings in significantly higher income. Per-diem welders can experience even more lucrative situations, receiving daily allowances that range from $80 to $175 on top of their hourly rate, particularly for traveling pipe welders. Those engaged in refinery turnarounds may find themselves earning between $50-$80/hour, often benefiting from double-time on weekends. Various employer types in Pullman, from structural steel fabrication shops to nuclear maintenance facilities, offer distinct pay scales, with structural welders potentially accepting lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits. In negotiations, welders should leverage skills or certifications like AWS and the 6G pipe certification to enhance their hourly rate, making a strong case for desired compensation to fit their lifestyle and financial goals.
More salary data for Pullman, 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 Pullman. 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 Pullman 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