Welder Salary in Kansas: $54,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $54,978/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,482 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($57,735), Wichita ($54,190), Topeka ($51,390).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Kansas is projected to be $54,978, which is slightly lower than the national median of $55,895, representing a 1.6% difference. There is a significant salary range within the state; the highest-paying city is Kansas City, where welders can earn about $60,039, while the lowest-paying city, Emporia, offers around $46,906. The salary difference is typically driven by local industry demand and the cost of living in each area. In Kansas, welder licensing is not mandatory, but certain local regulations may apply. The welding sector is influenced by various demand drivers, including the agriculture and manufacturing industries that are prominent in the state. Currently, there are approximately 2,231 employed welders in Kansas, and the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%. Other top paying cities include Wichita at $56,352, Topeka at $53,440, Manhattan at $52,567, and Overland Park at $51,638. As the industry evolves, welders will find opportunities in both traditional fields and emerging sectors, indicating a steady demand for skilled workers in the coming years.
Kansas Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $35,624 (lowest entry-level) to $86,859 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas welders earn 1.64% less than the national median ($-917/year difference).
Kansas Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Kansas range from $40,018 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $73,608 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $54,978. The Kansas median is $917 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $26.43/hr. Approximately 2,231 welders are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,295
2025 BLS Actual
$52,869
2026 Current Est.
$54,978
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,295 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,572 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 22.1% from $43,295 (2019) to $52,869 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,877 (32.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $46,906 |
| Gardner | $47,116 |
| Liberal | $47,387 |
| Hays | $47,571 |
| Prairie Village | $47,713 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $60,039 | 90.9 | $66,050 |
| Wichita | $56,352 | 88.946 | $63,355 |
| Topeka | $53,440 | 88.82 | $60,167 |
| Manhattan | $52,567 | 90.162 | $58,303 |
| Overland Park | $51,638 | 90.9 | $56,807 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,018 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $54,978 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $73,608 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $60,039 |
| 2 | Wichita | $56,352 |
| 3 | Topeka | $53,440 |
| 4 | Manhattan | $52,567 |
| 5 | Overland Park | $51,638 |
| 6 | Olathe | $50,982 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $50,857 |
| 8 | Garden City | $50,354 |
| 9 | Lawrence | $50,102 |
| 10 | Derby | $50,102 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $49,704 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $49,689 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $49,529 |
| 14 | Salina | $49,164 |
| 15 | Leawood | $48,892 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $48,068 |
| 17 | Junction City | $47,914 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $47,713 |
| 19 | Hays | $47,571 |
| 20 | Liberal | $47,387 |
| 21 | Gardner | $47,116 |
| 22 | Emporia | $46,906 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Kansas?
How does Kansas welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Kansas?
How many welders are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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