Senior Welder Salary in Cody, WY: $68,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of welders working in Cody, WY — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $68,320/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 51-4121. Strip back Cody's price premium (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $71,315 in average-cost America. The 33% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cody, Wyoming, experienced welders with over seven years of expertise can find themselves in a lucrative position, especially if they strive for top-tier pay. By 2026, senior welders are projected to earn as much as $68,320 annually, significantly higher than the median salary of $51,476. This gap reflects the experience premium that seasoned professionals earn as they enhance their skills. To reach this upper echelon, welders not only need strong technical abilities but also specific certifications, such as AWS credentials for various welding processes, and experience in high-demand specialties. In a market where the experience is highly valued, the efforts to acquire advanced qualifications can make a considerable difference in earnings potential.
About the Cody Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cody
Experienced welders at the top of the pay scale in Cody earn between $57,967 and $68,320 per year (2026 est.). This $28,345 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Cody median of $51,476 sits 7.91% below the US median.
Top WLD Salary Comparison
| Level | Cody | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $51,476 | $55,895 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,967 | $65,524 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $68,320 | $80,623 |
In Cody, experienced welders (P90) earn 32.72% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Welder Pay in Cody
Advanced Certifications in Wyoming
WY welders with additional specialty certifications within the welding field earn significantly above the $51,476 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Cody employers.
Specialty Focus
Welders focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the welding field in Cody command premium compensation, often reaching the $57,967–$68,320 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Cody metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced welders who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured welders in Cody with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Welders in Wyoming who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Welder Career & Wage Growth Path in Cody
Clinical Welder
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Welder
5-10 yearsWelder Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCody ranks #11 of 14 Wyoming cities for top earner welder salary (90th percentile: $68,320).
Top 10% welder compensation in Cody ($68,320) is 22.12% below the Wyoming average P90 ($87,721).
2019 BLS Actual
$54,437
2025 BLS Actual
$65,699
2026 Current Est.
$68,320
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Cody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,946 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,259 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,835 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,667 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,046 | Projected |
Top-earning welders (90th percentile) in Cody saw their compensation grow 20.7% from $54,437 in 2019 to $65,699 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.99% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $71,046 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cody 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.
Maximizing Your Welder Earnings in Cody
Compensation among senior welders in Cody is diverse and often dependent on specialization and employer type. Fields like pipe welding, particularly with expertise in TIG root and flux core fill for pipeline and refinery work, are in high demand and generally command higher salaries. Additionally, certifications in nuclear welding (NQA-1) and underwater welding can push earnings even higher, with some professionals earning substantial wages through traveling positions. Employers vary widely—from structural steel fabrication shops to oil and gas pipeline companies and aerospace industries—each offering different levels of pay. Leadership roles are also more accessible for those who navigate the career ladder effectively, advancing from production welding to certified pipe welding and potentially even into roles like Certified Welding Inspector. Non-salary factors also play a significant role; for instance, rig welder ownership can turn into a lucrative venture, requiring a significant initial investment, but potentially yielding high returns during boom cycles in the oil and gas industry.
More salary data for Cody, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced welders make in Cody in 2026?
What drives higher welder pay in Cody?
What certifications boost welder salary in Cody?
Can experienced welders make six figures in Cody?
How much does welder salary increase over time in Cody?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $65,699 for welders in the Cody metro area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cody 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