Welder in Greeley, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Greeley Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Greeley’s welding scene is built around the city’s industrial backbone—agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. While the national average for welders hovers near $49,590/year, Greeley’s median salary of $48,994/year (or $23.55/hour) is slightly below the national figure. However, the real story is in the local job market and cost of living. With only 225 welder jobs in the metro area and a modest 10-year job growth of 2%, this isn’t a boomtown for the trade—but it’s a stable, affordable market for those already established or willing to niche down.

Experience is the key differentiator here. Local shops, from fabrication yards near the South Platte River to heavy equipment repair in East Greeley, pay based on your skill set and certifications. Here’s how salaries typically break down:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$38,000 - $44,000	Often starts in production welding or helper roles. Focus on safety certs and basic MIG/TIG.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$46,000 - $55,000	This is where the median $48,994 sits. You'll need AWS certification and experience with structural or pipe welding.
Senior (8-15 years)	$56,000 - $68,000	Leads crews, works on specialized projects (e.g., food-grade stainless). Often includes foreman pay.
Expert (15+ years)	$69,000+	Master fabricators, inspectors, or business owners. Top earnings come from niche areas like pressure vessel work.

How does Greeley stack up to other Colorado cities?

• Denver/Aurora: Median salary is closer to $52,000, but rent is 40% higher. The trade-off isn’t worth it for most welders unless you’re chasing high-rise construction or aerospace gigs.
• Fort Collins: Slightly higher pay (around $50,000) but fewer industrial jobs. More competition from younger welders from CSU’s engineering programs.
• Pueblo: Lower median salary (around $46,000) but similar cost of living. Pueblo’s steel mill offers more union opportunities, which Greeley lacks.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. In Greeley, many welders pick up overtime at JBS or Leprino Foods during peak seasons. A welder with 5 years of experience can realistically push their annual income to $55,000+ with consistent overtime, which is common in the meatpacking and dairy sectors.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. If you’re earning the median salary of $48,994, your monthly take-home after Colorado state tax (4.4%) and federal tax is approximately $3,250. That’s based on a single filer with standard deductions. Now, factor in the average 1-bedroom rent in Greeley of $1,190/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Welder at $48,994/year:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Net Monthly Income	$3,250	After taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$1,190	City average. Newer units in Island Grove or near the university can be $200-$300 more.
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water)	$180	Greeley’s winters are cold; heating costs are a real factor.
Groceries	$350	Shopping at Safeway or Albertsons on 10th St. Farmers markets in summer can save you cash.
Car Payment/Insurance	$400	Essential if you live outside central Greeley. No real public transit for industrial zones.
Fuel	$150	Commuting to places like Johnstown or Windsor adds up.
Health Insurance	$250	If not provided by employer.
Misc. (Phone, Internet)	$150	Xfinity is the main provider.
Total Expenses	$2,670
Remaining/Savings	$580

Can they afford to buy a home?
The median home price in Weld County is around $450,000. With a $580 monthly surplus, a 20% down payment ($90,000) is out of reach for most single welders earning the median. However, it’s not impossible. Many welders here buy homes in the $250,000-$300,000 range in older neighborhoods like Garden City or Eastside, often with a spouse’s income. USDA loans (for rural parts of Weld County) and FHA loans are popular paths. A dual-income household where both partners earn $45,000+ makes homeownership very feasible in Greeley.

Insider Tip: If you’re serious about buying, look in the “County Line” area (north of 10th St., near the Greeley-Evans border). You get slightly larger lots, lower prices, and a 15-minute commute to most industrial parks. Just check the school district if you have kids.

Where the Jobs Are: Greeley's Major Employers

Greeley’s job market is dominated by agriculture, food processing, and energy. It’s not the place for exotic aerospace welding, but it’s a goldmine for structural, pipe, and maintenance welders. Here are the key players:

1. JBS USA (Greeley Beef Plant): The city’s largest employer. They have an in-house maintenance team that includes welders for equipment repair. It’s a union shop (UFCW) with good benefits, but the environment is demanding. Hiring trends are stable; they rarely lay off but have high turnover.
2. Leprino Foods: The massive dairy processing plant on the west side. They need welders for stainless steel work in a food-grade environment. This is a cleaner, more specialized job. Pay is at the higher end for mid-level welders ($52,000+).
3. Nordic Group (formerly Norseman): A major fabrication and construction company based in Greeley. They work on agricultural buildings, water treatment plants, and structural steel. This is your classic custom fab shop. Excellent place to learn and grow.
4. Anheuser-Busch (Fort Collins, but major employer for Weld County): While the brewery is in Fort Collins, a huge portion of their workforce lives in Greeley. They have a large maintenance department with welding needs for brewery infrastructure. It’s a highly sought-after, stable job.
5. West Plains Energy / Xcel Energy: The power generation and distribution sector. Welders here work on gas pipelines, substations, and turbine maintenance. This work often requires additional certifications (e.g., API 1104 for pipeline welding) and pays a premium.
6. City of Greeley Public Works: The city maintains its own fleet and infrastructure. Welders here repair everything from water mains to park equipment. It’s a government job with great benefits and a pension, but openings are rare and competitive.
7. Local Agricultural Equipment Dealers (e.g., Farm Bureau, John Deere dealers): shops in Greeley and Evans need welders for repairing tractors, balers, and combines. Seasonal peaks in the spring and fall.

Hiring Trends: The market is not growing rapidly, but it’s consistent. The biggest opportunity is in replacement hiring—as older welders retire from Nordic or JBS, those jobs open up. The key is to get your foot in the door in a maintenance role, which is more stable than pure production welding.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado does not have a statewide journeyman welder license. However, specific industries do require certifications, and the state has strict codes for certain work.

• AWS Certifications: The American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are the gold standard. The most common are D1.1 (Structural Steel) and D1.6 (Stainless Steel). For pipe welding, ASME Section IX or API 1104 are common. Most employers in Greeley will pay for your testing if you pass. Cost for a test is typically $150-$300 per certification.
• Pressure Vessel/Piping: If you want to work on boilers, pipelines, or pressure systems, you need a Colorado State Welding License administered by the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS). This requires documented hours (usually 3,000) under a licensed welder and passing a state exam. It’s a long process but leads to high-paying jobs.
• Timeline: You can start working as a welder in Greeley with just a high school diploma and basic skills. Getting your first AWS certification can take 1-3 months of focused practice. The state pressure vessel license can take 2-4 years of documented work.

Insider Tip: The Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Greeley offers an excellent, affordable welding program. They have direct pipelines to local employers like Nordic and JBS. It’s a 2-semester certificate that gives you a huge leg up. The cost is around $4,000-$5,000, and it’s a much faster path than on-the-job training alone.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live in Greeley dramatically affects your commute, especially since most welding jobs are in industrial zones on the west and east sides.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For
Central Greeley (Downtown/University)	Walkable, younger crowd, near bars & restaurants. 10-15 min commute to most jobs.	$1,250 - $1,450	Social welders who want city life without Denver prices.
Island Grove	Quiet, residential, family-oriented. Close to the county fairgrounds. 10-15 min commute.	$1,150 - $1,300	Welders with families or those who want a peaceful home base.
Eastside	Working-class, older homes, more affordable. Closest to JBS & farm equipment shops.	$950 - $1,150	Budget-conscious welders who want the shortest commute to major employers.
West Greeley (near 10th St.)	Mix of residential and commercial. Growing area with new apartments. 5-10 min commute to Leprino & Nordic.	$1,200 - $1,350	Those who work at Leprino or Nordic and want modern amenities.
Garden City (Unincorporated)	Very affordable, but older housing stock. 15-20 min commute to central Greeley.	$850 - $1,050	Welders willing to sacrifice commute for maximum housing affordability.

Insider Tip: Avoid the immediate vicinity of the JBS plant for residential living if you’re sensitive to industrial noise and odors. A half-mile makes a big difference. The best compromise is the Eastside neighborhood—it’s affordable, has character, and gets you to work in under 10 minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth is a sobering stat, but it doesn’t mean your career is stagnant. Growth in Greeley is about specialization, not expansion.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest pay jumps come from niches:
  • Stainless TIG Welding (Food/Dairy): +15-20% over general MIG welders. Key for Leprino and other food processors.
  • Certified Pipe Welder (ASME/API): +25-30%. Opens doors to pipeline, power plant, and refinery work (some in Weld County).
  • Welding Inspector (CWI): After 5+ years, you can get AWS Certified Welding Inspector credentials. This moves you to a desk job with a salary of $65,000+, overseeing quality control.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Welder → Lead Fabricator → Shop Foreman (common at Nordic and fab shops).
  2. Maintenance Welder → Maintenance Supervisor (at JBS or Leprino).
  3. Welder → Inspector/Quality Control (requires additional certs).
  4. Employee → Business Owner: Many successful local fab shops (like A-1 Steel or Weld County Steel) were started by welders who got their state license and built a client base.

10-Year Outlook: The base demand will remain flat. However, the retiring workforce will create openings. The real growth will be in green energy. Welders with experience in hydrogen pipeline welding or wind turbine tower fabrication could see a surge in demand in the next decade as Colorado pushes renewables. Welders who get ahead of this curve will be in the best position.

The Verdict: Is Greeley Right for You?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons based on what a welder actually needs.

Pros	Cons
Very affordable cost of living (Index 96.0). Your paycheck goes far.	Limited job market (225 jobs). You can’t easily jump ship; loyalty is key.
Stable employers (JBS, Leprino, Nordic). Less boom-and-bust than oil towns.	Low job growth (2%). Not a place for rapid career escalation.
Short, predictable commutes. 10-15 minutes max in most cases.	Industrial emissions. Air quality can be a concern, especially on the east side.
No state license for most work. Easier to start your career here.	Limited cultural scene. It’s a working city; nightlife and arts are sparse.
Dual-income affordability. A two-income household thrives here.	Isolation. You’re 60+ miles from Denver’s bigger opportunities.

Final Recommendation:
Greeley is an excellent choice for mid-career welders or those starting a family. If you value stability, a low cost of living, and a straightforward commute over the excitement of a major metro, this is your spot. It’s not the place for a young, single welder looking to network and climb the ladder quickly. For you, Denver or Fort Collins is a better bet. For the welder who wants a solid house, a predictable schedule, and a paycheck that covers the bills with room to spare, Greeley is a hidden gem.

FAQs

1. Do I need my own welding truck to get hired in Greeley?
No. Most jobs are shop-based. Having your own truck and rig is a plus for small fab shops or side gigs, but it’s not a requirement for the major employers like JBS or Nordic.

2. Is the cost of living really that low?
Yes. The 96.0 index means everything from groceries to utilities is about 4% cheaper than the U.S. average. The real savings are in housing. Rent is $1,190 for a 1BR, while the same in Denver is $1,700+.

3. What’s the best way to get my first job here?
Walk into the fabrication shops (like Nordic) with your resume and any AWS certs. Apply online at JBS and Leprino for maintenance welder positions. Also, check the City of Greeley website for Public Works openings. Local networking at the Weld County Farmers Market or even at the Greeley Stampede can lead to leads.

4. How harsh are the winters for a welder?
It’s a dry cold, not a wet one, which some find easier. However, outdoor welding in December is brutal. Most jobs are in shops, but if you do construction welding, you’ll need serious cold-weather gear. Plan for a heated garage if you’re doing side work.

5. Are there opportunities for women welders in Greeley?
Absolutely. The industry is changing, and major employers like JBS and Leprino are actively seeking diversity. FRCC’s welding program has a strong support network. The local trade is tight-knit, and a skilled welder is judged on their bead, not their gender.