Welding Salary in Wyoming: Is It a Good Career?
Wyoming · 2026 BLS salary data
Welding pay in Wyoming
The median wage is $63,820/yr — 19% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Wyomingranks #4 of 51 states by median pay.
The numbers in Wyoming
Real BLS state-level figures for Welding.
- Median salary
- $63,820/yr
- Pay range (25th–75th)
- $56,380 – $78,890
- National median
- $53,750/yr
- Employed in Wyoming
- 1,850
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.
What that pay is really worth in Wyoming
Salary alone can mislead — Wyoming costs 7% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).
- Cost of living (US=100)
- 92.7
- Nominal median
- $63,820
- Adjusted for cost of living
- ≈ $68,846
- State income tax
- None
Wyoming levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.
Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.
FAQ
How much do welding professionals make in Wyoming?
The median annual wage is $63,820 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $56,380 and $78,890. That's 19% above the national median.
Is Wyoming a good state for welding?
By raw pay, Wyoming ranks #4 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Wyoming costs 7% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $68,846. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.
Are welding professionals in demand in Wyoming?
About 1,850 people work in this field in Wyoming (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +2.2% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.
The verdict
Yes if you want a hands-on trade with low entry cost and no student debt — welding gets you earning fast, and specialized/traveling welders can earn well above the median. Not for you if you want a desk job or can't handle physical, hazardous conditions.
- Worth it If you want to start earning fast with little or no student debt
- Worth it If you're open to specializing (underwater, pipeline, aerospace) for top pay
- Not worth it If you want a clean desk job or can't handle physical/hazardous work
Pros & cons
Pros
- Low training cost, fast entry (months, not years)
- Little to no student debt
- Specialized welders (pipeline, underwater) earn well above median
- Hands-on, tangible work with clear results
- Skills transfer across construction, manufacturing, energy
Cons
- Physically demanding and hazardous (burns, fumes, heights)
- Often outdoors or in cramped, hot conditions
- Entry-level pay is modest until you specialize
- Work can be cyclical with construction/energy demand
Who it's for
✓ A good fit if…
- Hands-on people who dislike desk work
- Those wanting to earn fast without a degree
- Anyone willing to specialize for higher pay
✗ Probably not if…
- People who want office or remote work
- Those with physical limitations or safety concerns
What people are actually asking
Real Reddit discussions on whether Welding is worth it — titles link to the original threads.
- “is welding a good career?”r/Weldingquestioning
- “Is Welding a Good Career in 2025?”r/Weldingfuture/AI-anxiety
- “What is life like as a welder?”r/careerguidancemixed
- “Is welding worth it as a career?”r/Weldingquestioning
- “Is welding a good career in 2026?”r/jobsmixed
- “Is welding even worth it considering the pay and the health ...”r/Weldingquestioning
- “Career Crisis… Is Welding a Real Way Out or Am I Wasting ...”r/Weldingmixed