Welder Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $62,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $62,040/year (≈ $29.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $61,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the welding industry within Fort Collins, CO, the projected median annual salary stands at $62,040 for 2026, showcasing an attractive earning potential compared to other regions. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower end at $46,120 and the high end reaching $77,088. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, highlights the range of opportunities available to welders in the area. Fort Collins presents a particular economic environment where the ownership of a rig, often necessitating an investment of between $80,000 and $150,000 for a welding truck, can impact hourly rates significantly. Welders looking to create a path to ownership and capitalize on higher per-diem rates can find substantial earning potential that reflects the strong demand for their expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,343 | $23.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,040 | $29.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,719 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,088 | $37.06 |
Median Salary Position
10.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,968 (2026 est.). At $62,040, the local median is 10.99% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be above the median
How Fort Collins Welder Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $62,040/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $61,244 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +10.99% more |
Welders in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $62,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.99% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% above the Colorado state average of $61,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,040 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,348 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,320
2025 BLS Actual
$59,660
2026 Current Est.
$62,040
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.1% from $47,320 (2019) to $59,660 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,196 (36.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $46,120 – $49,343 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,343 – $62,040 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,040 – $73,719 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,719 – $77,088 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Fort Collins
With approximately 440 welders currently employed in Fort Collins, the local job market remains promising for those entering the field. The cost of living index stands a notch above the national average at 101.128, which impacts take-home pay and the purchasing power of welders in the area. Top-paying employers include those in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline sectors, and advanced specialty fields like aerospace and nuclear power maintenance. The disparity in wages often correlates with various certification levels, such as the 6G pipe certification yielding higher rates than more general production welding. Welders seeking to optimize their income in Fort Collins should focus on acquiring specialized skills, considering per-diem opportunities for traveling work, and building a portfolio that elevates them within specialized sectors, all while remaining aware of market fluctuations influenced by economic cycles, especially in the oil and pipeline industry.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
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
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 $59,660 for weldersin the Fort Collins 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