Welder Hourly Pay in Casper, WY: $31.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Casper, WY runs $31.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Casper's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.8, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,090 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Casper, the welder hourly pay stands at an impressive $31.32, significantly above the national hourly median of $26.87. This competitive rate allows for favorable earnings even for part-time welders who select to work three days a week. In practical terms, welders on reduced schedules can still expect solid pay, especially in various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, or manufacturing plants. Entry-level welders typically earn about $24.22 per hour, while experienced and specialized welders in high-demand fields can command rates reaching up to $44.80. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the robust employment landscape for welding professionals in Casper, WY.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.22 | $193.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.15 | $225.20 |
| Median (P50) | $31.32 | $250.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.06 | $304.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.80 | $358.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Casper
Based on $31.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.32/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Casper, WY can expect to earn approximately $65,149 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,586. With a cost-of-living index of 93.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Casper.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Casper
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,252.87 | $5,429 | $65,149 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $751.72 | $3,257 | $39,090 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.15 | $2,172 | $26,060 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Casper) | $31.32 |
| 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 Casper, WY earn a median of $65,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.58% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 21.70% above the Wyoming state average of $53,542.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.32/hr = $39,090/year (purchasing power: $41,660).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,149/year (purchasing power: $69,434).
CoL index: 93.829 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Casper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Casper grew 16.7% from $25.80/hr (2019) to $30.12/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.57/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 Casper 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 Casper
Beyond the base hourly pay, opportunities for advanced earnings abound, making the welding profession financially appealing in Casper. Part-time welders working 24 hours a week could realistically bring in around $39,257 annually, compared to an average full-time salary. Per diem welders often see increments of $80 to $175 each day on top of hourly wages, significantly boosting their overall compensation. Additionally, traveling pipe welders earn between $40 and $70 per hour, with bonuses on weekends and specialized tasks, such as those in refinery turnarounds, reaching up to $80 per hour or more. Various sectors—ranging from structural steel fabrication to nuclear power maintenance—offer different pay scales, affecting overall earning potential. Welders considering a move or change in employment should assess their positions carefully, weighing the benefits of stability and insurance against potentially higher hourly rates without benefits, particularly important for those with families. For effective negotiations, it's advantageous to research local pay trends and leverage skills certifications, such as AWS credentials, which can lead to better offers in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Casper, WY:
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 Casper. 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