Entry-Level Welder Salary in Topeka, KS: $38,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:New welders entering the Topeka, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,934 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 51-4121, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Topeka's local price level (BEA RPP 88.8 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,835 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($53,440) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New welding graduates contemplating their first positions in Topeka, Kansas, should be prepared for an entry-level welder salary averaging around $38,934 in 2026, significantly below the city’s median of $53,440. This gap suggests that new welders might initially feel a pinch, but with determination and skill development, they could see their wages grow efficiently. Over the span of their first few years, welders can anticipate upward movement through the salary ranges, moving from the entry-tier up to the first quarter at $47,399 and potentially reaching the median salary with experience, training, and performance. Given its competitive growth rate of 3.99%, the welding market in Topeka remains promising for recent graduates, who may find opportunities expanding in response to local demand and the aging workforce.
Career Earnings Timeline in Topeka
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
Entry-level welders in Topeka, KS typically start between $38,934 and $47,399 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $35,429 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $53,440 — 4.39% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average welding program cost in Kansas of $9,000 represents just 23.12% of the starting welder pay ($38,934/year) in Topeka. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AWS-aligned welding certificate and associate programs at community colleges and technical schools. Costs vary significantly based on program length (6 months vs 2 years) and specialty certifications (structural, pipe, underwater).
WLD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Topeka
- 1Research the Topeka market: entry-level welder pay ranges from $38,934 to $47,399, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the welding field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Topeka, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Topeka for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Topeka's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Welder Compensation Range
The welder wage spread in Topeka is $35,429 ( 91.00%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,934, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,363.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,720
2025 BLS Actual
$37,440
2026 Current Est.
$38,934
2019–2027 Growth
+70.7%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,487 | Projected |
Entry-level welder compensation (10th percentile) in Topeka, KS grew 57.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,720 in 2019 to $37,440 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,487. New graduates entering the Topeka job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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.
Starting Your welding Career in Topeka
Topeka offers several avenues for new welders seeking their first job, with numerous employers actively recruiting graduates from local trade schools. Entry-level positions can often be found in production welding shops or as helpers and fitters in structural and pipe welding environments. Non-union pipeline contractors also seek certified welders for larger projects, complemented by options for union apprenticeships through organizations like the UA and Boilermakers, which offer structured training and not only secure a pathway to higher compensation but also stability in uncertain job markets. Credentials such as the AWS certification or specialized training in processes like SMAW and GMAW will undoubtedly enhance starting pay in Kansas. In the early years, focusing on valuable niche skills like the coveted 6G certification or working toward nuclear qualifications (NQA-1) can dramatically elevate salary expectations. With the impending shortage of skilled welders projected at 360,000 by 2027, fresh graduates may experience substantial salary growth as they gain experience and certifications throughout their careers in this thriving industry.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new welding graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Topeka. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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