Welder Salary in Papillion, NE: $47,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Papillion, NE earns a median $47,572/year (≈ $22.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $51,991 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Papillion, Nebraska, the overall financial landscape for welders registers an estimated median annual salary of $47,572 for 2026. This figure ranks below the national average, where welders are projected to earn approximately $55,895 annually. Local salaries exhibit a range that spans from $38,310 at the 10th percentile to $64,763 for the highest earners. These estimates take into account regional cost variations, underscoring a notable difference in pay between those engaged in specialized pipe welding—often the highest compensated—and those focused on structural fabrication or production welding. This distribution reflects the local market dynamics and the ongoing need for skilled welders in sectors experiencing fluctuating demands.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,338 | $20.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,572 | $22.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,435 | $26.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,763 | $31.13 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,453 (2026 est.). At $47,572, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Papillion Welder Pay Compares
Papillion median: $47,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $51,153 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -14.89% less |
Welders in Papillion, NE earn a median of $47,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $51,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion 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.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $47,572 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,991 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$36,164
2025 BLS Actual
$45,747
2026 Current Est.
$47,572
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,164 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,164 (2019) to $45,747 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,306 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $38,310 – $43,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,338 – $47,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,572 – $54,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,435 – $64,763 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Papillion
Despite the relatively modest median salary, the job market for welders in Papillion is still viable, with five individuals currently employed in the field. The area's cost of living index stands at 91.5, which indicates that take-home pay has to stretch further against expenses. Employers that tend to pay higher wages include structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline projects, and specialized petrochemical turnaround crews. Factors influencing the pay gap include the type of welding certification achieved—like the premium for 6G pipe certification—and the specialization area, particularly in high-demand markets like nuclear or underwater welding. Welders interested in maximizing their earnings should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as ASME Section IX, and explore traveling positions that typically offer enhanced pay structures, including per-diem allowances that can significantly boost overall compensation.
More salary data for Papillion, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Papillion, NE in 2026?
Is Papillion, NE a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Papillion?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Papillion?
How much does a welder make per hour in Papillion?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $45,747 for weldersin the Papillion 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 Papillion 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