Welder Salary in Riverton, WY: $50,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Riverton, WY earns a median $50,007/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Riverton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $52,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverton, Wyoming, the projected median annual salary for welders in 2026 is expected to reach $50,007, representing a notable gap compared to the national median, which sits at $55,895. Local estimates suggest a salary range from $40,605 at the 10th percentile to $68,446 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse pay scale likely influenced by specific welding specialties. Pipe welders, particularly those with 6G certifications, tend to dominate the local market due to their specialized skill set, often garnering compensation that far exceeds their structural and production counterparts. As such, Riverton's welding job market reflects the broader trends seen in the industry, with a strong emphasis on certifications and the agility of welders to pivot between various demand-driven roles.
About the Riverton Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,605 | $19.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,798 | $22.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,007 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,448 | $27.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,446 | $32.90 |
Median Salary Position
10.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverton
In Riverton, WY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,841 (2026 est.). At $50,007, the local median is 10.53% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverton Welder Pay Compares
Riverton median: $50,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $53,540 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.53% less |
Welders in Riverton, WY earn a median of $50,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.60% below the Wyoming state average of $53,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverton has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverton, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,007 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,014
2025 BLS Actual
$48,088
2026 Current Est.
$50,007
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Riverton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,014 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,532 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,679 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,014 (2019) to $48,088 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,988 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverton 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) | $40,605 – $45,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,798 – $50,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,007 – $57,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,448 – $68,446 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Riverton
Currently, Riverton employs four welders, but the cost-of-living index of 95.8 indicates a slightly lower economic pressure compared to the national average. This context enhances the effective purchasing power of welders in the area. Employers that typically offer higher wages include those in fields related to oil and gas pipeline welding and specialized petrochemical and refinery turnaround projects, which often command premium pay rates for traveling welders. Factors contributing to pay disparities in Riverton are largely driven by certifications, specialization in high-demand areas, and whether welders operate independently or as part of an established company. Therefore, welding professionals who seek to maximize their income should consider obtaining advanced certifications, such as ASME Section IX or NQA-1, and explore opportunities in mobile welding or high-end specialty projects to boost their earnings in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Riverton, 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 $48,088 for weldersin the Riverton 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 Riverton 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