Welder Salary in Denver, CO: $61,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Denver, CO earns a median $61,240/year (≈ $29.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $57,893 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Denver, Colorado are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,240 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in the area spans from $46,858 at the 10th percentile to a robust $82,880 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicates a thriving local market for welding professionals. As many forge their paths into ownership with rig welding, the investment in equipment and the corresponding hourly rate become crucial considerations. Denver’s strong job growth, coupled with the vibrant energy sector and manufacturing base, creates numerous opportunities for welders looking to capitalize on their skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,858 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,780 | $23.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,583 | $35.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
9.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,022 (2026 est.). At $61,240, the local median is 9.56% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Welder Pay Compares
Denver median: $61,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | +9.56% more |
Welders in Denver, CO earn a median of $61,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.56% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,240 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,893 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,740
2025 BLS Actual
$58,890
2026 Current Est.
$61,240
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 20.8% from $48,740 (2019) to $58,890 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,943 (30.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,858 – $49,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,780 – $61,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,240 – $73,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,583 – $82,880 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Denver
For those navigating the welder job market in Denver, the strength of local employment stands at approximately 1,990 welders, revealing significant demand for skilled trades. However, the cost of living index at 105.782 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must be weighed against living expenses. Sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding, aerospace, and construction demonstrate variability in compensation. The differences in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as certification levels, specialty niches—like underwater welding or nuclear maintenance—and whether welders opt for local positions or traveling jobs that offer per-diem incentives. To maximize their earnings, welders should focus on obtaining advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualification and consider the benefits of mobile rig ownership to tap into the higher-paying segments of the industry.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,890 for weldersin the Denver metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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