Welder Salary in Sheridan, WY: $51,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Sheridan, WY earns a median $51,126/year (≈ $24.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Sheridan's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $53,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Sheridan, Wyoming, can expect a median annual salary of $51,126, which reflects a disparity compared to the national median of $55,895. The local salary range spans from $39,097 at the lower end (P10) to a maximum of $69,062 (P90), providing diverse earning potential depending on experience and specialization. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost considerations. While the local economy has seen some stability in welding jobs, traveling pipe welders often secure more lucrative positions due to per-diem structures and tax advantages, elevating their earnings well above local shop pay, significantly impacting the competitive landscape for welding jobs in Sheridan.
About the Sheridan Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,097 | $18.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,066 | $21.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,126 | $24.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,167 | $27.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,062 | $33.20 |
Median Salary Position
8.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sheridan
In Sheridan, WY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,965 (2026 est.). At $51,126, the local median is 8.53% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sheridan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sheridan Welder Pay Compares
Sheridan median: $51,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sheridan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $53,535 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.53% less |
Welders in Sheridan, WY earn a median of $51,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.53% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.50% below the Wyoming state average of $53,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sheridan 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.
Sheridan, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,865
2025 BLS Actual
$49,164
2026 Current Est.
$51,126
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Sheridan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,865 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,999 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,484 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,764 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,166 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sheridan metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,865 (2019) to $49,164 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,166 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,301 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sheridan 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) | $39,097 – $45,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,066 – $51,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,126 – $58,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,167 – $69,062 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Sheridan
The job market in Sheridan currently employs five welders, indicating a tight niche, while the local cost of living index stands at 95.8, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be slightly better than average. Employers in the area offering higher compensation often include structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies. The high demand for skilled specialties, like 6G pipe certification and nuclear welding, contribute to the variances in pay within the welders' role. Practical strategies for welders looking to maximize earnings in this competitive market include pursuing additional certifications, specializing in high-demand processes, and considering traveling positions which can offer significantly higher rates thanks to per-diem options. Understanding how the local market operates and leveraging industry connections can be vital for those trying to enhance their welder pay in Sheridan, WY.
More salary data for Sheridan, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $49,164 for weldersin the Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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