Welder Salary in Colchester, VT: $53,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Colchester, VT earns a median $53,551/year (≈ $25.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Colchester's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $51,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Colchester, Vermont, is projected to reach a median of $53,551, which is slightly below the national median of $55,895. With a salary range spanning from $42,454 at the lower end (P10) to $74,255 at the higher end (P90), these figures reflect localized estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities. As an emerging city for welding professionals, Colchester offers pathways for rig welder ownership, which involves substantial upfront investment in equipment—in the range of $80,000 to $150,000 for a welding truck. This investment can lead to higher hourly rates for those willing to travel for work, thereby enhancing overall job prospects in a market where demand is growing due to an aging workforce and increased infrastructure projects.
About the Colchester Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,454 | $20.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,466 | $23.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,551 | $25.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,112 | $29.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,255 | $35.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colchester
In Colchester, VT, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,801 (2026 est.). At $53,551, the local median is 4.19% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colchester Welder Pay Compares
Colchester median: $53,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $57,830 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.19% less |
Welders in Colchester, VT earn a median of $53,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.40% below the Vermont state average of $57,830.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colchester has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colchester, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,551 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,740 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,708
2025 BLS Actual
$51,496
2026 Current Est.
$53,551
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Colchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,337 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,039 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colchester metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $40,708 (2019) to $51,496 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,979 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colchester 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) | $42,454 – $48,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,466 – $53,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,551 – $62,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,112 – $74,255 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Colchester
Currently, there are only four welders employed in Colchester, highlighting a unique job market landscape. The cost of living index stands at 103.5, indicating that expenses are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies tend to offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for specialized certifications such as the 6G pipe qualification and a deep knowledge of ASME IX standards. The disparity in salaries is largely driven by specialization, prevailing demand for rig welder ownership, and geographical mobility, which can allow traveling welders to command higher wages. For welders in Colchester, focusing on gaining niche certifications and considering traveling positions can significantly increase earning potential.
More salary data for Colchester, VT:
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 $51,496 for weldersin the Colchester 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 Colchester 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