Welder Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $53,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Jefferson City, MO earns a median $53,638/year (≈ $25.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Jefferson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $60,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Jefferson City, Missouri, can anticipate a median annual salary of $53,638 in 2026, which reflects a competitive local market when considering the additional economic advantages of traveling pipe welding. With salaries ranging from $39,901 at the lowest decile to $61,427 at the top, these figures reveal a job environment supportive of various skill levels and specialties. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the current compensation is slightly below the national median of $55,895. The local job market for welders remains robust, indicative of ongoing demand that aligns with the needs of Jefferson City's industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,901 | $19.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,634 | $23.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,638 | $25.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,427 | $29.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,427 | $29.53 |
Median Salary Position
4.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, MO, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,526 (2026 est.). At $53,638, the local median is 4.04% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jefferson City: You'd be above the median
How Jefferson City Welder Pay Compares
Jefferson City median: $53,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jefferson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $54,235 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.04% less |
Welders in Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $53,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.10% below the Missouri state average of $54,235.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jefferson City has a cost of living 12.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jefferson City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 87.975 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,620
2025 BLS Actual
$51,580
2026 Current Est.
$53,638
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,778 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jefferson City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 40.9% from $36,620 (2019) to $51,580 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,778 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,158 (52.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson City 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) | $39,901 – $49,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,634 – $53,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,638 – $61,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,427 – $61,427 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Jefferson City
As of 2026, approximately 360 welders are employed throughout Jefferson City, highlighting a healthy job market, particularly as the region’s cost of living index stands at 87.975, which is below the national average. This low cost of living allows welders to retain more of their income, providing a better purchasing power compared to many areas. Employers in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and defense-related sectors tend to offer the highest wages, with specialized skills such as 6G pipe certification or experience in nuclear welding, especially in high-demand settings, commanding premium rates. The variation in local welder pay often arises from certification levels, types of work performed, and travel-related opportunities. For those looking to elevate their earnings, focusing on certifications, pursuing traveling assignments, and considering positions in industries with the highest compensation potential can be key strategies in Jefferson City's welder job market.
More salary data for Jefferson City, 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 $51,580 for weldersin the Jefferson City 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