Welder Salary in Belton, MO: $51,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Belton, MO earns a median $51,292/year (≈ $24.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Belton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $57,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belton, Missouri, a welder's projected median annual salary stands at $51,292 for 2026. This figure is notably below the national median of $55,895, highlighting regional pay disparities specific to the local industry context. Welders in Belton can expect a salary range from $38,359 at the 10th percentile to $68,207 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that the Belton market is primarily influenced by structural and pipeline welding operations. Understanding this gradient is critical for welders who are considering their potential earnings based on their specific skills and certifications.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,359 | $18.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,583 | $21.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,292 | $24.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,841 | $27.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,207 | $32.79 |
Median Salary Position
8.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belton
In Belton, MO, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,848 (2026 est.). At $51,292, the local median is 8.24% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belton Welder Pay Compares
Belton median: $51,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $54,277 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.24% less |
Welders in Belton, MO earn a median of $51,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $54,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belton has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Belton, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,292 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,991
2025 BLS Actual
$49,324
2026 Current Est.
$51,292
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,551 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,991 (2019) to $49,324 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,348 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belton 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) | $38,359 – $44,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,583 – $51,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,292 – $57,841 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,841 – $68,207 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Belton
Currently, the job market in Belton employs six welders, which reflects a relatively small workforce when juxtaposed against the broader national scenario. The local cost of living index is 89.6, indicating a lower cost environment which affects purchasing power positively. Among employers, those in the oil and gas sector, particularly in pipeline welding, tend to offer the highest compensation. Pay variations stem from factors such as certification levels, specialty areas, and the demand for traveling versus local work. For instance, welders with 6G pipe certification and those capable of managing rig welder ownership face an investment that can yield substantial returns. In this local market, maximizing pay can involve seeking roles that demand specialized skills, joining unions like the UA or Boilermakers for better pay structures, or pursuing additional certifications that open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
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 $49,324 for weldersin the Belton 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
Salary data for Belton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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