Welder Salary in Cheyenne, WY: $61,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Cheyenne, WY earns a median $61,385/year (≈ $29.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Cheyenne's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $63,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.6% above the Wyoming state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cheyenne, Wyoming, the economic landscape for welding professionals presents an interesting dichotomy between local shop salaries and the higher earnings typical for traveling pipe welders. The projected median annual salary for welders in 2026 reaches $61,385, marking an increase that reflects increased demand in the industry. With a salary range from $44,830 at the lower end to $79,896 for the top-tier professionals, these figures are derived from comprehensive Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys. This compensation level is notably above the national median of $55,895, demonstrating the financial appeal of working as a welder in Cheyenne—especially for those willing to adapt, take on traveling roles, or specialize in high-demand areas such as pipeline welding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,830 | $21.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,248 | $24.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,385 | $29.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,976 | $30.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,896 | $38.41 |
Median Salary Position
9.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cheyenne
In Cheyenne, WY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,066 (2026 est.). At $61,385, the local median is 9.82% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cheyenne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cheyenne Welder Pay Compares
Cheyenne median: $61,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cheyenne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $53,565 | +14.60% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +9.82% more |
Welders in Cheyenne, WY earn a median of $61,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.82% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 14.60% above the Wyoming state average of $53,565.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cheyenne has a cost of living 3.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cheyenne, WY has a cost-of-living index of 96.491 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $61,385 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,617 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,820
2025 BLS Actual
$59,030
2026 Current Est.
$61,385
2019–2027 Growth
+49.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Cheyenne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cheyenne metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 37.9% from $42,820 (2019) to $59,030 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,015 (49.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheyenne 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) | $44,830 – $50,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,248 – $61,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,385 – $62,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,976 – $79,896 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Cheyenne
The local job market is robust, with approximately 180 welders employed in the Cheyenne area, but potential welders must also consider the cost of living, which stands at a favorable index of 96.491 compared to the national average. This lower cost of living effectively enhances purchasing power for welders in the region. Employers who pay the most include those in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline sectors, and specialized fields like aerospace and nuclear power maintenance. Factors such as certification levels, with 6G pipe welders earning premiums over standard welders, and differences in work environments—local versus traveling positions—drive the salary variations. For welders in Cheyenne, maximizing earnings through specialization and exploration of traveling opportunities where per-diem costs can elevate pay significantly could yield substantial benefits in this evolving market.
More salary data for Cheyenne, WY:
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 $59,030 for weldersin the Cheyenne 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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