Welders Salary

Hannibal vs Kansas City: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Hannibal, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hannibal, MO
$50,060
$24.06/hr
Kansas City, MO
$59,659
$28.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHannibal, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$50,060$59,659
Hourly Rate$24.06$28.68
Entry Level (P10)$39,639$44,560
25th Percentile$45,113$50,165
75th Percentile$56,894$74,228
Top Earner (P90)$67,284$81,268
Total Employed42,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hannibal ($50,060) and Kansas City ($59,659) welder salaries.HannibalKansas CityMedian Salary$50,060$59,659Entry Level (P10)$39,639$44,560Top Earner (P90)$67,284$81,268US Median $55,895

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hannibal.

The salary gap between Hannibal and Kansas City is $9,599 (19.17%). Kansas City's median is +6.73% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hannibal spans $27,645,Kansas City spans $36,708. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Hannibal
P10 (Entry)$39,639
P25$45,113
Median$50,060
P75$56,894
P90 (Top)$67,284
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$44,560
P25$50,165
Median$59,659
P75$74,228
P90 (Top)$81,268

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($64,466 effective) pays 15.39% more than Hannibal ($55,871 effective).

Hannibal
Nominal: $50,060
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $55,871
Kansas City
Nominal: $59,659
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $64,466

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hannibal if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,659/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,268)
  • Larger job market (2,710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,466)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Hannibal grew 12.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Hannibal, MO

+12.0%

$42,992 (2024) → $48,139 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+26.5%

$45,340 (2019) → $57,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Hannibal or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median welder salary at $59,659/year, compared to Hannibal at $50,060/year — a difference of $9,599 (19.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hannibal and Kansas City?

Hannibal welders earn $24.06/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $28.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hannibal to Kansas City as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hannibal and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hannibal = $55,871, Kansas City = $64,466), job availability (4 vs 2,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Hannibal vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,639 in Hannibal and $44,560 in Kansas City. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov