welder salary in missouri (2026)
Missouri welders earn a median of $44,650 per year in 2026 — -5% versus the national median of $47,000. The gap reflects missouri's market dynamics: agriculture tech, auto assembly, aerospace.
But Missouri isn't one market. Wages vary significantly across metros. Here's the full breakdown.
welder salary by city in missouri
Salary varies considerably across Missouri metros, driven by construction activity, industrial sector concentration, and union density.
| city | median salary | vs. MO median | key driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kansas City | $49,350 | +11% | logistics, auto assembly, construction boom |
| 2 Saint Louis | $47,940 | +7% | healthcare, biotech, aerospace, Anheuser-Busch |
| 3 Springfield | $39,950 | -11% | healthcare, retail, education |
| 4 Columbia | $41,360 | -7% | University of Missouri, healthcare, government |
| 5 Independence | $43,240 | -3% | suburban KC, logistics, residential |
| 6 Lees Summit | $42,300 | -5% | suburban KC, corporate, commercial |
| 7 O Fallon | $41,360 | -7% | suburban St. Louis, tech, residential |
Missouri market note: Kansas City's construction boom and St. Louis's biotech/healthcare growth provide stable demand. Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant is a major industrial anchor.
what moves your salary in missouri
taxes and take-home pay
Missouri has a graduated income tax up to 4.95%. Kansas City and St. Louis wages are competitive for the Midwest.
union vs. non-union
Missouri is a right-to-work state. Union presence is notable in St. Louis and Kansas City on larger commercial projects.
licensing
To work legally as a licensed welder in Missouri, you'll need to meet requirements set by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. This typically includes documented apprenticeship hours, passing a written trade exam, and ongoing continuing education. Each license level unlocks higher-paying work — especially the jump to journeyman, which allows independent work on permitted jobs.
how missouri compares to other states
| state | median salary | vs. missouri | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $66,700 | +49% | 9.3% state income tax |
| New York | $58,400 | +31% | NYC drives wages up; high COL |
| Illinois | $56,200 | +26% | Chicago union rates |
| Texas | $52,800 | +18% | no state income tax |
| Missouri | $44,650 | — | KC/STL metro wages |
| National median | $47,010 | +5% | BLS OEWS 2024 |
| Florida | $45,200 | +1% | no state income tax, lower COL |
is welder a good career in missouri right now?
Kansas City's construction boom and St. Louis's biotech/healthcare growth provide stable demand. Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant is a major industrial anchor. BLS projects 3% job growth for welders nationally through 2032, and Missouri tracks at or above that rate given its market conditions.
Hardhat's AI survival score for welders is 68/100 — the physical, site-specific, judgment-intensive nature of this work makes it genuinely difficult to automate. The job is not going anywhere.
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How much does a Welder make in Missouri?
Welders in Missouri earn a median of $44,650 per year in 2026, ranging from around $33,041 for apprentices to $69,207 or more for licensed journeymen and contractors.
What city in Missouri pays welders the most?
Kansas City pays the highest welder salaries in Missouri — around $49,350 median — driven by logistics, auto assembly, construction boom.
Do you need a license to be a welder in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri requires licensure through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Requirements include documented experience, passing a written trade exam, and in many cases continuing education hours.
Is there demand for welders in Missouri?
Missouri's welder market is driven by agriculture tech, auto assembly, aerospace. BLS projects 3% national job growth through 2032, and Missouri consistently matches or exceeds that pace.
How long does it take to become a welder in Missouri?
Typically 1–3 years — trade school plus the apprenticeship hours required to sit for the journeyman exam. Licensing is handled by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.
welder salary in other states
other trades in missouri