Welder Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $27.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wausau, WI runs $27.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,006 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,807 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder hourly pay in Wausau, Wisconsin, averages $27.89, which offers a competitive edge compared to the national hourly median of $26.87. This rate provides a solid income for both full-time and part-time welders. For those working three days a week, the potential to earn a decent wage remains significant, particularly in various settings such as fabrication shops, manufacturing plants, and pipeline welding stations. Entry-level welders may start around $24.06 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn upwards of $32.41 per hour, reflecting the range between new entrants and top earners in the field. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the ongoing demand and evolving industry standards across different welding specialties in the WI region.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.06 | $192.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.13 | $201.08 |
| Median (P50) | $27.89 | $223.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.33 | $234.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.41 | $259.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $27.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.89/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,011 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,468. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,115.60 | $4,834 | $58,011 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $669.36 | $2,901 | $34,807 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.24 | $1,934 | $23,205 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wausau) | $27.89 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $58,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.78% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,577.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.89/hr = $34,807/year (purchasing power: $37,568).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,011/year (purchasing power: $62,613).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wausau grew 23.5% from $21.71/hr (2019) to $26.82/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.00/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Considering the flexibility of employment options, part-time welders can expect to take home a substantial income even while working fewer hours. A welder operating on a 24-hour week could see annual earnings significantly less than full-time counterparts, though wages still remain competitive. Additionally, for those in per diem roles, the reality of traveling work can greatly enhance earnings. Traveling pipe welders often receive between $40-$70 per hour, with per-diem allowances ranging from $80 to $175 daily. During refinery turnarounds, welders might command $50-$80 per hour, gaining double-time pay on weekends further boosts income potential. In contrast, some welders may opt for lower hourly wages that include benefits, such as health insurance, balancing immediate pay against long-term security. Across Wausau, different employer types—ranging from structural steel fabrication shops to construction sites—offer diverse hourly rates, requiring welders to understand and negotiate their worth effectively in both union and non-union settings.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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