Welder Salary in Ames, IA: $60,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Ames, IA earns a median $60,897/year (≈ $29.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $68,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Among welders in Ames, Iowa, the anticipated median annual salary in 2026 will reach $60,897, which is notably higher than the national median of $55,895, indicating a competitive edge in local compensation. The salary range for welders spans from $42,241 at the 10th percentile to $69,788 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variation based on skill level and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, is essential for understanding the financial landscape for professionals in this field. In this market, pipe welders—specifically those with 6G certifications—often command the highest pay, driven by the complexity and critical nature of their work, which stands in contrast to the salary structures seen in structural and production welding roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,241 | $20.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,215 | $24.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,897 | $29.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,716 | $30.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,788 | $33.56 |
Median Salary Position
8.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,547 (2026 est.). At $60,897, the local median is 8.95% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be above the median
How Ames Welder Pay Compares
Ames median: $60,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,527 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +8.95% more |
Welders in Ames, IA earn a median of $60,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.30% above the Iowa state average of $59,527.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $60,897 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,555 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,530
2025 BLS Actual
$58,560
2026 Current Est.
$60,897
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 31.5% from $44,530 (2019) to $58,560 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,796 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $42,241 – $51,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,215 – $60,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,897 – $62,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,716 – $69,788 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Ames
Local job conditions for welders in Ames are promising, with about 170 professionals currently employed in the area. Welders benefit from a cost of living index of 88.83, allowing their take-home pay to stretch further than it might in other regions. Among the top employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding offer the highest wages, particularly for specialized roles, such as those working with petrochemical turnaround crews or aerospace applications. The pay discrepancy here is largely influenced by certification levels and specialty areas; for example, those who are certified in underwater welding or nuclear welding may earn significantly more due to the skill requirements and operational risks involved. To maximize earnings in the Ames market, pursuing advanced certifications and considering travel work or mobile welding opportunities can provide substantial financial benefits, as traveling welders often realize hefty premiums in their pay.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 $58,560 for weldersin the Ames 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