Welder Hourly Pay in Middleton, WI: $27.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Middleton, WI runs $27.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,917 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Middleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,145 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middleton, Wisconsin, the welder hourly pay is projected at $27.36, slightly above the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This competitive wage allows both full-time and part-time welders to thrive in various environments, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards. For part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a substantial income, complemented by flexible work arrangements. Entry-level welders can expect to start around $21.75 per hour, while experienced professionals and specialized welders, particularly those with advanced certifications or in high-demand roles, can earn upwards of $37.88 per hour. These figures are reflective of estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the robust earning potential in this field.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.75 | $174.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.73 | $197.83 |
| Median (P50) | $27.36 | $218.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.70 | $253.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.88 | $303.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middleton
Based on $27.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.36/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $56,908 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,832. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Middleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.39 | $4,742 | $56,908 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.63 | $2,845 | $34,145 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.76 | $1,897 | $22,763 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Middleton) | $27.36 |
| 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 Middleton, WI earn a median of $56,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.83% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,532.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.36/hr = $34,145/year (purchasing power: $36,558).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,908/year (purchasing power: $60,930).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Middleton grew 26.5% from $20.80/hr (2019) to $26.31/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.45/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 Middleton 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 Middleton
Considering part-time employment, a welder working three days a week for 24 hours annually brings home roughly $33,811 compared to a full-time worker earning around $56,917 a year. Specialized roles often offer additional earnings; traveling pipe welders can see per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily, coupled with a base pay of $40 to $70 per hour, while refinery turnaround welders benefit from robust pay structures that can reach $80 per hour during shutdowns. Rig welder owner-operators can charge between $90 and $160 per hour, including equipment use, and underwater welders can earn upwards of $1,000 to $3,000 per day during diving seasons. Employers in Middleton, such as those in aerospace or nuclear power, may provide different compensation packages based on the type of work and whether benefits are included, leading some welders to opt for slightly lower pay in exchange for comprehensive health insurance. Negotiating hourly rates effectively can involve emphasizing one’s specialized skills, such as a 6G pipeline certification, to secure a better deal in this thriving job market.
More salary data for Middleton, WI:
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 Middleton. 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 Middleton 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