Welder Hourly Pay in Richland, WA: $33.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Richland, WA runs $33.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,705 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Richland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,218 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richland, Washington, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a robust $33.03 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This premium reflects the region’s competitive job market and demand for skilled professionals in various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing plants. For those considering part-time work—typically three days a week—this translates into a take-home on par with many full-time positions, averaging over $800 weekly. Welders just starting in the industry can expect to earn around $24.01, while seasoned professionals can command upwards of $46.51, emphasizing the substantial income potential across experience levels.
About the Richland 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) | $24.01 | $192.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.43 | $227.45 |
| Median (P50) | $33.03 | $264.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.29 | $306.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.51 | $372.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richland
Based on $33.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.03/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richland, WA can expect to earn approximately $68,697 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,633. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,321.09 | $5,725 | $68,697 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $792.65 | $3,435 | $41,218 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $528.44 | $2,290 | $27,479 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Richland) | $33.03 |
| 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 Richland, WA earn a median of $68,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.92% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 10.40% above the Washington state average of $62,233.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.03/hr = $41,218/year (purchasing power: $38,378).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,697/year (purchasing power: $63,963).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Richland grew 26.5% from $25.11/hr (2019) to $31.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.35/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 Richland 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 Richland
Welders have diverse earning avenues available to them, particularly in Richland, where part-time welders who work 24 hours a week could take home nearly $41,000 annually, nearly matching full-time earnings. For per diem welders, earnings can exceed $80 to $175 daily, depending on the type of work and employer. Specialized roles, such as underwater welders or structural welding for large projects, can ramp up hourly rates significantly, sometimes exceeding $1,000 per day during peak seasons. This variance highlights how employment settings—from structural steel fabrication to refinery turnarounds—greatly influence pay rates. Welders often negotiate their compensation based on benefits; while higher hourly rates come without healthcare coverage, some bear lower rates for the security of health benefits. Understanding these dynamics can inform the negotiation strategies for welders navigating their career paths in Richland.
More salary data for Richland, 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 Richland. 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 Richland 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