Welder Hourly Pay in Sun Prairie, WI: $28.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Sun Prairie, WI runs $28.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,818 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Sun Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,897 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, WI, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $28.76 in 2026, which positions it above the national median of $26.87. This favorable pay rate is particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem welders in various industrial environments, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing production lines. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $20.65 per hour, while experienced welders can make as much as $41.00 per hour. The hourly pay reflects the skilled nature of this profession and the demand for certified welders, particularly those with specialties like 6G pipe certification or expertise in nuclear welding.
About the Sun 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) | $20.65 | $165.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.22 | $209.73 |
| Median (P50) | $28.76 | $230.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.88 | $271.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.00 | $328.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sun Prairie
Based on $28.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.76/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sun Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,828 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,516. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sun Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sun Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.55 | $4,986 | $59,828 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.33 | $2,991 | $35,897 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.22 | $1,994 | $23,931 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Sun Prairie) | $28.76 |
| 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 Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $59,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.02% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,541.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.76/hr = $35,897/year (purchasing power: $38,434).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,828/year (purchasing power: $64,056).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Sun Prairie grew 26.5% from $21.87/hr (2019) to $27.66/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.91/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 Sun 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 Sun Prairie
For part-time welders working three days a week, earning $28.76 per hour translates to approximately $43,000 annually, a significant income compared to many entry-level positions in other fields. Traveling pipe welders often enjoy additional benefits, such as per diem pay, which ranges from $80 to $175 a day. Agency welders and those in turnaround roles at refineries can earn from $50 to $80 per hour, especially during high-demand situations such as shutdowns. The pay rates vary widely across sectors in Sun Prairie, with structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and specialized industries like nuclear power offering different compensation levels. Many welding professionals must weigh the benefits of potentially lower hourly wages with health insurance against higher rates without benefits. Understanding the local workforce dynamics can empower welders to negotiate for better pay and conditions effectively, ensuring they maximize their earning potential in this evolving trade.
More salary data for Sun 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 Sun 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 Sun 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