Welder Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $28.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $28.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,361 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,015 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, offers a median welder hourly pay of $28.06, which is notably higher than the national median of $26.87 per hour. This competitive hourly rate is especially beneficial for part-time and per-diem welders who might work in various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline projects, or shipyards. For a part-time welder averaging three days a week, earning this hourly pay translates to a solid weekly income, allowing for financial flexibility. Entry-level positions may start around $21.33 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $39.67 per hour, underscoring both the immediate earning potential and upward mobility in this trade based on skill level.
About the Wauwatosa 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) | $21.33 | $170.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.74 | $197.91 |
| Median (P50) | $28.06 | $224.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.85 | $262.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.67 | $317.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $28.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.06/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,358 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,668. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,122.26 | $4,863 | $58,358 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.36 | $2,918 | $35,015 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.90 | $1,945 | $23,343 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wauwatosa) | $28.06 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $58,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.41% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,563.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.06/hr = $35,015/year (purchasing power: $37,489).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,358/year (purchasing power: $62,481).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wauwatosa grew 26.5% from $21.33/hr (2019) to $26.98/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.18/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
When considering part-time opportunities, a welder working 24 hours a week in Wauwatosa could potentially take home around $43,953 annually, compared to full-time welders earning significantly more. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, can see substantial earnings with base rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, often supplemented by per diem rates of $80 to $175. Additionally, during refinery turnaround projects, welders might earn between $50 and $80 per hour, with substantial overtime pay on weekends. Hourly wages can fluctuate depending on employer type — from structural steel fabrication to aerospace welding — affecting the benefits landscape. Welders must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay and the stability provided by benefits, which often sway their decision-making. For those negotiating in Wauwatosa, emphasizing skills certifications like 6G pipe welding can be pivotal in achieving better rates and job security.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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