Welder Hourly Pay in Whitewater, WI: $28.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Whitewater, WI runs $28.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,412 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Whitewater's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,053 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Whitewater, Wisconsin, welders can expect a median hourly pay of $28.09, which is slightly above the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time workers, especially for those engaged in various welding settings such as fabrication shop production lines and mobile rig setups. For instance, a welder working three days a week at this hourly rate would find that part-time roles can still yield substantial earnings, even if they don’t match the hours of full-time positions. The hourly compensation for welders in Whitewater varies widely, from around $21.17 for entry-level positions to $39.21 for more experienced welders. The field encompasses diverse specialties, and these figures are drawn from annual salary estimates, highlighting the rewarding nature of welding in the local economy.
About the Whitewater 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) | $21.17 | $169.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.53 | $196.25 |
| Median (P50) | $28.09 | $224.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.19 | $249.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.21 | $313.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Whitewater
Based on $28.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.09/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Whitewater, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,705. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Whitewater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Whitewater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,123.51 | $4,869 | $58,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.10 | $2,921 | $35,053 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.40 | $1,947 | $23,369 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Whitewater) | $28.09 |
| 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 Whitewater, WI earn a median of $58,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,551.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.09/hr = $35,053/year (purchasing power: $37,530).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,422/year (purchasing power: $62,551).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Whitewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Whitewater grew 26.5% from $21.35/hr (2019) to $27.01/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.21/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 Whitewater 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 Whitewater
Part-time welders in Whitewater, working approximately 24 hours a week, can expect to take home around $35,077 annually, which allows for a decent quality of life despite not being full-time. Additionally, welders involved with per-diem work can enhance their income significantly; traveling pipe welders often earn between $40-$70 per hour, alongside daily per diem rates of $80-$175. In contrast, those engaged in refinery turnarounds may command higher rates at $50-$80 per hour, with opportunities for double-time on weekends. Self-employed rig welders can see billing rates as high as $160 per hour, not to mention the lucrative underwater welding jobs averaging $1,000-$3,000 per day. As welders weigh their options between lower-paying jobs with benefits versus higher hourly rates without, practical negotiation becomes essential, especially within various employer types ranging from structural steel shops to aerospace welding plants. Understanding the local market dynamics and effective bargaining can significantly affect overall financial stability and job satisfaction for welders in Whitewater, WI.
More salary data for Whitewater, 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 Whitewater. 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 Whitewater 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