Welder Hourly Pay in Walla Walla, WA: $29.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Walla Walla, WA runs $29.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,749 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Walla Walla's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,052 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Walla Walla offers a competitive welder hourly pay rate, with the median set at $29.69/hr, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $26.87. This attractive compensation can make a substantial difference for part-time workers, who might find themselves earning solid wages while only putting in three days a week. Those in diverse environments, whether in manufacturing production cells, fabrication shops, or performing specialized tasks like pipeline trench welding, can expect varying experiences based on local demand and type of work. For entry-level positions, hourly rates begin around $23.15, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $35.74, providing a broad earning range that reflects skills and specialization.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.15 | $185.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.88 | $199.08 |
| Median (P50) | $29.69 | $237.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.34 | $250.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.74 | $285.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Walla Walla
Based on $29.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.69/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Walla Walla, WA can expect to earn approximately $61,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,627. With a cost-of-living index of 98.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Walla Walla.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Walla Walla
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,187.57 | $5,146 | $61,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.54 | $3,088 | $37,052 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.03 | $2,058 | $24,701 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Walla Walla) | $29.69 |
| 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 Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $61,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.47% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% below the Washington state average of $62,247.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.69/hr = $37,052/year (purchasing power: $37,609).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,753/year (purchasing power: $62,682).
CoL index: 98.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Walla Walla grew 48.1% from $19.28/hr (2019) to $28.55/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.87/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 Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla
Evaluating potential earnings for welders working in Walla Walla reveals significant opportunities based on work arrangements. A welder on a part-time schedule of just 24 hours per week could expect to take home approximately $36,000 annually, a considerable amount given the relatively low cost of living in the area. Additionally, per diem welder pay in Walla Walla can further bolster earnings. Traveling welders frequently rack up per diem rates of $80-$175/day atop their hourly wages, while those involved in refinery turnarounds may see compensation jump to $50-$80/hr, often with double-time on weekends, making such roles especially lucrative. Costs differ by employer; structural shops and shipyards yield contrasting pay scales and benefits. Negotiating hourly rates effectively is essential; knowing industry standards, understanding local market demands, and possibly opting for a broader range of responsibilities can lead to improved compensation. In this competitive sector, balancing hourly rates with benefits becomes a critical strategy for both apprentices and seasoned welders alike in Walla Walla, WA.
More salary data for Walla Walla, WA:
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 Walla Walla. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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