Welder Hourly Pay in Platteville, WI: $27.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Platteville, WI runs $27.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Platteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,521 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Platteville, Wisconsin, the welder hourly pay stands at $27.66, slightly above the national median of $26.87. This wage allows welders in the area to thrive while working in various environments, from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench welding stations. For part-time welders, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into flexible earning possibilities. Per-diem workers, who frequently take on short-term contracts in diverse settings like refinery turnaround scaffold platforms or shipyard hull welding bays, also benefit from this competitive hourly rate. The pay range for welders in Platteville varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $22.49 and top earners potentially making as much as $37.82 per hour, reflecting the differing skill levels and specialties in welding.
About the Platteville 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) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.73 | $197.83 |
| Median (P50) | $27.66 | $221.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.83 | $254.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.82 | $302.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Platteville
Based on $27.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.66/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Platteville, WI can expect to earn approximately $57,536 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,194. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Platteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Platteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,106.45 | $4,795 | $57,536 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.87 | $2,877 | $34,521 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.58 | $1,918 | $23,014 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Platteville) | $27.66 |
| 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 Platteville, WI earn a median of $57,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.92% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 6.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,593.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.66/hr = $34,521/year (purchasing power: $36,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,536/year (purchasing power: $61,601).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Platteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Platteville grew 26.5% from $21.03/hr (2019) to $26.60/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.77/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 Platteville 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 Platteville
When analyzing potential earnings in Platteville, the contrast between full-time and part-time welding work becomes evident. For instance, a part-time welder working 24 hours a week could bring home approximately $34,250 a year, significantly less than their full-time counterparts who earn $57,528 annually. Per-diem welders, often traveling for projects, can earn both a base rate between $40-$70 an hour and additional daily rates that may go as high as $175, particularly in high-demand environments like oil and gas pipeline work or during refinery shutdowns, where overtime pay can reach $80 per hour. These earnings can vary greatly depending on employer types, such as structural steel fabrication shops, nuclear power plant maintenance, or shipyards, as well as the choice between union and non-union positions that can affect overall compensation and benefits. Ultimately, negotiable factors such as hourly rates with or without benefits reflect a balance between immediate financial needs and longer-term security.
More salary data for Platteville, 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 Platteville. 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 Platteville 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