Welder Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $25.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Covington, KY runs $25.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, KY, welders can expect a median hourly rate of $25.98, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly compensation impacts various work arrangements, including part-time positions typically in fabrication shops or mobile setups, allowing welders to adapt their schedules to fit personal needs. For those working three days a week, this translates to a solid income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly range for welders in the area varies significantly, from an entry-level rate of $19.32 to top earners making as much as $35.30 per hour. These figures stem from annual salary data adjusted for hourly work, illustrating a diverse earnings landscape for this profession in Covington.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.32 | $154.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.60 | $180.78 |
| Median (P50) | $25.98 | $207.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.55 | $236.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.30 | $282.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $25.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.98/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $54,032 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,172. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,039.07 | $4,503 | $54,032 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $623.44 | $2,702 | $32,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.63 | $1,801 | $21,613 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Covington) | $25.98 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Covington, KY earn a median of $54,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $54,751.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.98/hr = $32,419/year (purchasing power: $36,303).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,032/year (purchasing power: $60,506).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Covington grew 26.5% from $19.75/hr (2019) to $24.98/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.01/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Covington
Assessing the financial prospects for welders reveals distinct opportunities based on employment types and workload. For those opting for part-time work at 24 hours a week, annual earnings would significantly differ from full-time employment, illustrating a dynamic range of possibilities. Per-diem welders in Covington can command daily rates from $80 to $175 in addition to their base pay, with traveling assignments in pipeline welding reaching $40-$70 per hour. During high-demand refinery shutdowns, welders may earn $50-$80 per hour plus overtime, while specialized roles like underwater welding can net astonishing daily earnings exceeding $1,000, especially during peak seasons. In Covington, the type of employer greatly influences pay, with structural steel shops typically offering lower rates compared to the lucrative sectors of oil, gas, and nuclear power. Considerations around health benefits versus hourly pay also play a role in job selection, prompting welders to balance immediate compensation with long-term security. For those negotiating rates, awareness of local industry standards and demand for certifications—such as 6G pipe and NQA-1—can make a significant difference in achieving better hourly rates.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Covington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington 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