Welder Salary in Wichita, KS: $56,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Wichita, KS earns a median $56,352/year (≈ $27.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $63,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected welder salary in Wichita stands at $56,352, slightly above the national median of $55,895. Welders in this region can expect a salary range from $40,577 to $74,758, reflecting the diversity in roles such as pipe welding, structural welding, and production welding. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys offers insight into how local expertise can significantly influence income potential, with pipe welders particularly well-compensated due to their specialized skills and certification requirements. In a city like Wichita, where industry demands fluctuate, the market for welding professionals can be competitive, especially among the higher-paying segments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,577 | $19.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,352 | $27.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,644 | $33.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,758 | $35.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,181 (2026 est.). At $56,352, the local median is 0.82% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Welder Pay Compares
Wichita median: $56,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $50,814 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +0.82% more |
Welders in Wichita, KS earn a median of $56,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 10.90% above the Kansas state average of $50,814.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $56,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$43,680
2025 BLS Actual
$54,190
2026 Current Est.
$56,352
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 24.1% from $43,680 (2019) to $54,190 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,921 (34.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $40,577 – $47,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,170 – $56,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,352 – $68,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,644 – $74,758 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Wichita
The job market in Wichita, KS, accommodates approximately 1,460 welders, who benefit from a cost-of-living index of 88.946, indicating a more affordable lifestyle than many other regions. This environment allows for greater purchasing power despite salary levels. Employers such as structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for those with advanced qualifications like the 6G pipe certification or nuclear clearance (NQA-1). The disparity in welder pay in Wichita can also be driven by specialty areas, with underwater welding and traveling positions that provide per-diem significantly boosting earnings potential. Strategies for maximizing income include pursuing additional certifications and considering remote work opportunities which may yield more lucrative contracts.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Wichita, KS in 2026?
Is Wichita, KS a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Wichita?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Wichita?
How much does a welder make per hour in Wichita?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $54,190 for weldersin the Wichita 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