Welder Salary in Raytown, MO: $52,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Raytown, MO earns a median $52,365/year (≈ $25.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Raytown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $58,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Raytown, Missouri, the projected welder salary is set at $52,365 for 2026, which falls below the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in the area spans from approximately $41,287 at the 10th percentile to $73,994 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in skills and employment types within the field. It’s essential to acknowledge that this data is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. The welding market here is influenced by local economic conditions, which include the availability of travel-related positions that often include per-diem allowances and tax-advantaged structures, challenging the local shop pay dynamics in Raytown.
About the Raytown Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,287 | $19.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,312 | $22.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,365 | $25.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,248 | $29.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,994 | $35.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raytown
In Raytown, MO, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,707 (2026 est.). At $52,365, the local median is 6.32% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raytown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raytown Welder Pay Compares
Raytown median: $52,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $54,264 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.32% less |
Welders in Raytown, MO earn a median of $52,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.32% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.50% below the Missouri state average of $54,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raytown 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.
Raytown, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,807
2025 BLS Actual
$50,356
2026 Current Est.
$52,365
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Raytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,042 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,972 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,356 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raytown metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,807 (2019) to $50,356 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,648 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raytown 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) | $41,287 – $47,312 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,312 – $52,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,365 – $61,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,248 – $73,994 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Raytown
With only four welders employed in Raytown, the local job market remains relatively niche, which can influence both availability and pay rates. The cost-of-living index in the area is 89.6, signifying a lower expense compared to the national average, thus affecting take-home purchasing power. Employers in Raytown that typically offer higher compensation include those within the oil and gas sector and specialty manufacturing plants, particularly for roles demanding advanced certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME IX qualifications. The variance in welder salaries is largely driven by factors such as certification levels, specialization, and the nature of work—whether local or traveling. Those pursuing travel welding jobs can expect substantially higher earnings through additional benefits like per-diem allowances. For welders aiming to maximize their pay, acquiring advanced certifications, specializing in high-demand areas like underwater welding or nuclear work, and considering the investment in rig ownership could provide significant financial rewards in this evolving market.
More salary data for Raytown, 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 $50,356 for weldersin the Raytown 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 Raytown 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