Welder Salary in Bellevue, NE: $49,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Bellevue, NE earns a median $49,524/year (≈ $23.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $54,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Nebraska, the projected welder salary in 2026 stands at $49,524 annually, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market compared to the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in this area extends from $36,380 at the P10 threshold to $72,398 at the P90 level. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate a promising landscape for welders who often balance ownership of expensive equipment—typically ranging between $80,000 and $150,000 for a welding truck—with the associated hourly earnings. As local industries continue to evolve, understanding the dynamics of welder pay in Bellevue NE is essential.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,061 | $20.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,524 | $23.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,852 | $28.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,398 | $34.81 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,018 (2026 est.). At $49,524, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Welder Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $49,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $51,161 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.40% less |
Welders in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $49,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $51,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,524 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,647
2025 BLS Actual
$47,624
2026 Current Est.
$49,524
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,652 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,122 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,302 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,647 (2019) to $47,624 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,853 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $36,380 – $43,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,061 – $49,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,524 – $58,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,852 – $72,398 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Bellevue
The local welder pay in Bellevue NE is tempered by the cost of living index of 91.5, which suggests greater purchasing power than the national average. Currently, only 15 welders occupy employment positions in Bellevue, indicating a niche market that can drive compensatory strategies. Employers in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding generally offer the highest pay due to the specialized skill sets required. Factors influencing pay disparities include certification levels—higher certifications like the 6G pipe credential fetch better wages—and the choice between local jobs or traveling positions, where per-diem rates can significantly enhance earnings. To maximize pay in this market, welders should pursue advanced certifications and consider the benefits of mobile welding, which often allows for higher hourly rates and flexible working conditions aligned with booming industries.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 $47,624 for weldersin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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