Welders Salary

Welder Hourly Pay in Rock Springs, WY: $24.19 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rock Springs, WY runs $24.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rock Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,187 per year.

$50,321
Median Annual Salary
$24.19/hr
Hourly Rate
$39,777
Entry Level (P10)
$69,345
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welder Hourly Rate in Rock Springs, WY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Rock Springs, WY welder hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Welders in Rock Springs, Wyoming, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $24.19 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This wage represents the financial framework in which many welders operate, especially those working part-time in settings like fabrication shops, pipeline trenches, or shipyard welding bays. Part-time welders, perhaps working three days a week, can expect to see a significant portion of their earnings, even if they fall at the lower end of the spectrum, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $19.12 per hour and more experienced welders earning up to $33.34 per hour. Given the diverse applications of welding—from structural work to nuclear plant maintenance—the hourly rates vary widely, but the median serves as a key benchmark for wage negotiations across the profession in Rock Springs.

About the Rock Springs Market

Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$19.12$152.99
Lower Range (P25)$21.80$174.37
Median (P50)$24.19$193.50
Upper Range (P75)$27.98$223.87
Top Earners (P90)$33.34$266.71

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rock Springs

Based on $24.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a welder in Rock Springs earning $24.19/hr would make approximately $29,026 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $50,311 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$29,026Reduced (32 hr/wk)$38,701Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$50,311

At $24.19/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rock Springs, WY can expect to earn approximately $50,311 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,026. With a cost-of-living index of 95.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rock Springs.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$193.50
per 8hr shift
$967.52
per week
$4,193
per month
$50,311
per year

Schedule Comparison in Rock Springs

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$967.52$4,193$50,311
Part-Time (24 hrs)$580.51$2,516$30,187
Per Diem (16 hrs)$387.01$1,677$20,124

Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Welder (Rock Springs)$24.19
Machinist (National Avg)$25.72
Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg)$28.93
Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg)$29.53
Boilermaker (National Avg)$35.08
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Rock Springs ($50,321) with Wyoming average ($53,533) and the US national median ($55,895).Rock Springs$50,321Wyoming Avg$53,533-6.00%US National$55,895-9.97%

Welders in Rock Springs, WY earn a median of $50,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.00% below the Wyoming state average of $53,533.

Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $24.19/hr = $30,187/year (purchasing power: $31,510).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,311/year (purchasing power: $52,517).

CoL index: 95.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$18.39/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$23.26/hr

2026 Current Est.

$24.19/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+36.8%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rock Springs (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for welders in Rock Springs. Baseline $18.39/hr in 2025, projected to $25.15/hr by 2027.$17$20$22$25$272019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$18.39$19.12$20.34$20.57$21.18$25.97$23.26$24.19$25.15
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$18.39/hrActual
2020$19.12/hrActual
2021$20.34/hrActual
2022$20.57/hrActual
2023$21.18/hrActual
2024$25.97/hrActual
2025$23.26/hrActual
2026(current)$24.19/hrEstimated
2027$25.15/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rock Springs grew 26.5% from $18.39/hr (2019) to $23.26/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.15/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Rock Springs

Calculating the annual potential for part-time welders in Rock Springs shows a stark contrast to those who pursue full-time positions. A welder working part-time at 24 hours per week might bring home around $25,247 annually, while full-time welders can expect significantly more. The per diem realities of the field can further enhance income; traveling pipe welders often supplement their pay with daily allowances between $80 and $175, in addition to base hourly rates of $40-$70. During refinery shutdowns, welders might secure rates of up to $80 per hour, with the potential for double time on weekends. Furthermore, rig welder owner-operators have the freedom to set their rates, often billing $90 to $160 per hour. This dynamic highlights the variability in welder hourly pay in WY, as employers across sectors—be it structural fabrication, petrochemical, or aerospace—offer different compensation structures. Many welders trade off higher hourly pay for benefits when working with larger companies, illustrating the need for effective negotiation tactics that account for both immediate wages and overall job security in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for welders in Rock Springs in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for welders in Rock Springs is $24.19/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Rates range from $19.12 at entry level (10th percentile) to $33.34 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 10.0% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time welders make in Rock Springs?

A part-time welder working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Rock Springs earns approximately $2,516/month, or $30,187/year at the median hourly rate of $24.19. Many welders prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are welders in Rock Springs paid hourly or salary?

The majority of welders in Rock Springs are paid hourly at a median rate of $24.19/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $50,311/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time welder make per year in Rock Springs?

A full-time welder working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Rock Springs earns approximately $50,311/year at the median hourly rate of $24.19. This is 10.0% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $69,346/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Rock Springs?

Part-time and per diem welders in Rock Springs sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $33.34/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wyoming

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

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 Rock Springs. 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 Rock Springs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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