Welder Hourly Pay in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $28.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Pleasant Prairie, WI runs $28.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,477 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Pleasant Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,092 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, welders in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, can expect a median hourly pay of $28.12, which surpasses the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate is particularly significant for part-time workers, such as those who operate only three days a week; they can earn an impressive income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Entry-level welders start around $21.22 per hour, while experienced top earners can make as much as $39.30 per hour. In typical work settings including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards, these hourly estimates, derived from annual salary data, highlight the robust earning potential available to welders in this region.
About the Pleasant Prairie 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) | $21.22 | $169.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.60 | $196.83 |
| Median (P50) | $28.12 | $224.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.83 | $254.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.30 | $314.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pleasant Prairie
Based on $28.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.12/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pleasant Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,487 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,743. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pleasant Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pleasant Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,124.76 | $4,874 | $58,487 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.85 | $2,924 | $35,092 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.90 | $1,950 | $23,395 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Pleasant Prairie) | $28.12 |
| 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI earn a median of $58,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,554.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.12/hr = $35,092/year (purchasing power: $37,572).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,487/year (purchasing power: $62,620).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Pleasant Prairie grew 26.5% from $21.38/hr (2019) to $27.04/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.24/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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
For those pursuing welding as a part-time occupation, the annual take-home from working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could sum up to around $35,000, depending on overtime and specialized skills. Welders engaged in per-diem positions, such as pipeline or refinery work, often see additional daily rates ranging from $80 to $175, along with base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. Contractor welders who run their own rig setups typically bill much higher, with rates ranging from $90 to $160 per hour. The types of employers significantly influence compensation as well; for instance, structural steel fabrication shops or nuclear maintenance work tends to offer different benefits and hourly pay scales. Some welders accept lower hourly rates for jobs that provide health insurance, recognizing a trade-off between immediate earnings and long-term security. Negotiating pay in Pleasant Prairie requires understanding the local market and emphasizing certifications, such as the 6G pipe qualification or adherence to standards like ASME Section IX—these can be critical leverage points in discussions on welder hourly pay Pleasant Prairie.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie. 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 Pleasant Prairie 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