Welder Hourly Pay in Stevens Point, WI: $28.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Stevens Point, WI runs $28.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,249 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Stevens Point's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,547 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Stevens Point, WI, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $28.48 in 2026, placing it significantly above the national median of $26.87. This competitive hourly wage offers enticing opportunities for both part-time and per-diem welders who may work in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing plants. Entry-level positions start around $22.36 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $40.09. Given these figures, part-time welders employed three days a week can expect a solid income that still allows for flexibility, while those working full-time can maximize their earnings depending on their skills and certifications, particularly in specialized areas like underwater welding or nuclear welding.
About the Stevens Point 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) | $22.36 | $178.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.63 | $205.07 |
| Median (P50) | $28.48 | $227.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.25 | $265.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.09 | $320.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stevens Point
Based on $28.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.48/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stevens Point, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,179. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Stevens Point.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stevens Point
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.31 | $4,937 | $59,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.59 | $2,962 | $35,547 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.73 | $1,975 | $23,698 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Stevens Point) | $28.48 |
| 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 Stevens Point, WI earn a median of $59,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,590.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.48/hr = $35,547/year (purchasing power: $38,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,244/year (purchasing power: $63,431).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Stevens Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Stevens Point grew 26.5% from $21.65/hr (2019) to $27.39/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.62/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 Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point
Considering the wealth of opportunities for welders in Stevens Point, part-time workers putting in 24 hours a week could take home approximately $35,424 annually, while full-timers would see a much higher figure. The reality of per-diem work in this field provides even greater potential; traveling pipe welders frequently earn an additional $80-$175 daily on top of their hourly wages, while refinery shutdowns can yield up to $80 per hour or more. Different employer types contribute to varying pay scales, with professionals in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas, and aerospace often commanding higher rates. While some may choose to trade off lower hourly wages for health insurance benefits, others might prefer the greater pay of self-employed positions that eliminate those costs. Understanding these dynamics is essential, especially when negotiating pay rates, as welders in Stevens Point can leverage their certified skills, like 6G pipe certification, to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Stevens Point, 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 Stevens Point. 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 Stevens Point 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