Welder Hourly Pay in Fremont, NE: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fremont, NE runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,627 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fremont's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fremont, NE, the projected median hourly rate for welders in 2026 stands at $23.86, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. This difference can significantly impact those working part-time or as per-diem welders, who may find opportunities in various settings such as fabrication shops or pipeline projects. For instance, welders operating just three days a week might earn around $1,141.12 weekly, which allows for flexibility while still securing a decent income. The hourly pay in Fremont ranges from $17.08 for entry-level positions to as much as $34.02 for the most experienced professionals. It’s essential for welders to consider these earnings in light of Fremont’s cost of living index, which is below the national average at 91.5, as this affects overall purchasing power and job choices in the region.
About the Fremont Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.08 | $136.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.18 | $169.46 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.04 | $224.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.02 | $272.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fremont
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fremont, NE can expect to earn approximately $49,619 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,626. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fremont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fremont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.21 | $4,135 | $49,619 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.53 | $2,481 | $29,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.68 | $1,654 | $19,848 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fremont) | $23.86 |
| 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 Fremont, NE earn a median of $49,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.21% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.00% below the Nebraska state average of $51,162.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,771/year (purchasing power: $32,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,619/year (purchasing power: $54,228).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fremont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fremont grew 26.5% from $18.13/hr (2019) to $22.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.81/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 Fremont 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 Fremont
When assessing the financial landscape for welders in Fremont, those who work part-time may find their yearly take-home significantly lower compared to full-time welders. Earning potential can dramatically shift when welders opt for per-diem work, with daily rates for traveling positions often reaching between $80-$175 on top of hourly wages ranging from $40-$70. High-demand roles, such as refinery turnaround welders during shutdowns, can command between $50-$80 per hour, especially with added benefits of double-time on weekends. Furthermore, owners of rig welder setups can bill between $90 and $160 hourly, while underwater welders can achieve astonishing daily earnings that can exceed $1,000 during peak seasons. Employers vary widely in this market, leading to different pay scales; structural, petrochemical, and nuclear sectors often offer compelling compensation packages that may include benefits. Welders engaging in negotiations should leverage their certifications, particularly if they hold specialized credentials like the 6G pipe certification, which can be invaluable in securing higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Fremont, NE:
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
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 Fremont. 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 Fremont 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