Welder Salary in Helena, MT: $51,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Helena, MT earns a median $51,493/year (≈ $24.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $53,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Helena, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,493. This figure represents a modest deviation from the national median of $55,895, highlighting the competitive nature of welder pay Helena MT offers. The salary range for local welders extends from $39,771 at the 10th percentile to $72,106 at the 90th percentile, showing a diverse market reflective of varying skill levels and work types. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, allowing for a clearer picture of local economic conditions. While the welding market in Helena is relatively stable, the compensation landscape is influenced by the availability of traveling pipe welders, who often benefit from per-diem and tax-advantaged structures, significantly impacting local shop pay.
About the Helena Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,771 | $19.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,032 | $22.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,493 | $24.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,822 | $29.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,106 | $34.67 |
Median Salary Position
7.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,335 (2026 est.). At $51,493, the local median is 7.88% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Welder Pay Compares
Helena median: $51,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $53,750 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.88% less |
Welders in Helena, MT earn a median of $51,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.88% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $53,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,144
2025 BLS Actual
$49,517
2026 Current Est.
$51,493
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,796 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,144 (2019) to $49,517 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,403 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $39,771 – $46,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,032 – $51,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,493 – $60,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,822 – $72,106 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Helena
The job market in Helena comprises a small cohort of just seven employed welders, indicating a niche sector that may not deliver vast employment opportunities yet remains crucial for local industries. A cost-of-living index of 96.2 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, which translates to better purchasing power for those working in this field. Among the local employers, structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline projects, and aerospace defense companies tend to offer the most lucrative positions. Factors that influence the wide salary spectrum include certification levels, specialties like underwater and nuclear welding, and economic cycles in the construction and oil industries. For welders looking to maximize their earnings in Helena, investing in advanced certifications such as the 6G pipe or ASME IX can yield significant rewards, especially when aligned with high-demand specialty work or traveling positions that leverage per-diem opportunities.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
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 $49,517 for weldersin the Helena 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 Helena 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