Welder's Career Guide: Lee's Summit, MO

Lee's Summit isn't just a Kansas City suburb; it's a self-sufficient economic hub with a unique identity. For welders, this means a stable, mid-sized market with a lower cost of living than the national average, but without the frantic competition of a massive metro. I've lived in the area for years, and I've seen the welds holding together everything from the I-470 bridges to the racks at national manufacturers. This guide is your direct line to the facts, the numbers, and the local know-how you need to make a smart move.

The Salary Picture: Where Lee's Summit Stands

The welding scene here is solid, built on a foundation of manufacturing and infrastructure. You won't find the extreme highs of coastal shipyards, but you also won't face the instability of boom-and-bust regions. The median salary for a welder in the Lee's Summit area is $48,593 per year, or $23.36 per hour. This is just slightly below the national average of $49,590/year, which is a common trade-off for a more affordable lifestyle.

The metro area supports about 208 welding jobs, a stable but not explosive number. The 10-year job growth is projected at 2%, which signals steady, reliable demand rather than a sudden boom. This is typical for a mature manufacturing region like ours.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Your earning potential moves in clear stages. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Lee's Summit market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Annual Salary Range	Hourly Rate Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$35,000 - $42,000	$16.83 - $20.19
Mid-Career	3-8 years	$45,000 - $56,000	$21.63 - $26.92
Senior	9-15 years	$55,000 - $68,000	$26.44 - $32.69
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$65,000 - $80,000+	$31.25 - $38.46+

Note: Senior and Expert roles often include lead-crew pay, overtime, and shift differentials that can push totals higher.

Comparison to Other Missouri Cities

How does Lee's Summit stack up against its peers? It's a strong middle-ground option.

City	Median Salary (Welder)	Cost of Living Index	Key Industry
Lee's Summit	$48,593	93.3	Manufacturing, Aviation
St. Louis	$49,200	94.5	Automotive, Aerospace
Kansas City (MO)	$48,800	90.2	Multi-Industry Hub
Springfield	$44,500	85.9	Agriculture, Healthcare
Columbia	$46,100	90.5	Education, Manufacturing

Lee's Summit competes directly with Kansas City on salary but offers a more suburban, family-friendly environment. It’s more affordable than St. Louis and has a more diverse industrial base than Columbia or Springfield.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about your budget. The $48,593 median salary is your gross income. You need to understand what lands in your bank account and what it can buy.

Assumptions for this breakdown:

• Filing Single, Standard Deduction (2023 Tax Rates)
• Federal Tax: ~$2,800/year
• FICA (Social Security & Medicare): ~$3,715/year
• MO State Tax: ~$1,945/year (2% up to $10,000, 2.5% above)
• Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay: ~$40,133
• Estimated Monthly Take-Home: ~$3,344

This is your foundational number. Now, let's build a monthly budget.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Welder Earning $48,593)

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$886	City average. Lower in older areas, higher in new builds.
Utilities	$150	Electricity, water, gas. KCP&L is the main provider.
Food	$400	Groceries for one. Eating out adds $150.
Transportation	$350	Car payment ($200), gas ($100), insurance ($50).
Health Insurance	$250	Employer-sponsored plan. Varies widely.
Retirement (401k)	$150	3% match is common. That's $1,215/year free from your employer.
Miscellaneous	$400	Phone, clothes, entertainment, savings buffer.
TOTAL ESTIMATED	$2,586	Leaves a $758 buffer monthly.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning. The median home price in Lee's Summit is around $315,000. With a 10% down payment ($31,500), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would be roughly $1,850/month including taxes and insurance. This is 19% of your monthly gross income, which is considered very affordable. However, saving the down payment on a $48,593 salary takes time and discipline. A common local strategy is to start with a duplex or a starter home in an established neighborhood like the Historic District or near the old airport.

Where the Jobs Are: Lee's Summit's Major Employers

The job market here is anchored by a few key players, with opportunities in both direct manufacturing and supporting logistics. Don't just look for "welder" in job postings; look for fabrication, assembly, and maintenance tech roles.

1. Bendix King (A Honeywell Company): A major aerospace and aviation electronics manufacturer. Their Lee's Summit facility does precision metal fabrication and assembly. They hire for shop welders and assemblers, often requiring clean, precise TIG work.

   • Hiring Trend: Steady. They value technical skills and reliability over rapid growth.

2. Crown Automotive (Jeep Parts): While the main plant is in St. Louis, their Midwest distribution and some fabrication operations are in the metro. They need welders for rack assembly and repair.

   • Hiring Trend: Seasonal bumps, tied to Jeep production cycles. Good for steady, predictable work.

3. Schlage Lock Company: A division of Allegion, this facility manufactures commercial door hardware. The welding is for jigs, fixtures, and heavy-duty assembly.

   • Hiring Trend: Consistent. They have a long-standing presence and low turnover.

4. Local Machine & Fabrication Shops: Lee's Summit and nearby Independence are home to dozens of small to mid-sized shops like KC Fabrication and Midwest Industrial Products. These are the hidden gems. They do custom work for agriculture, construction, and local industry.

   • Hiring Trend: Always hiring for skilled hands. The best way to get in is to walk in with a resume and a portfolio.

5. Union Pacific Railroad: The massive rail yard in nearby Kansas City, MO (a 15-minute drive) is a constant source of work. They need welders for railcar repair and maintenance.

   • Hiring Trend: Cyclical but strong. Union benefits are excellent, but hiring can be competitive.

6. Lee's Summit Medical Center (HCA Midwest) & St. Luke's East: Hospitals are not just for nurses. They have in-house maintenance teams that need welders for fabricating custom patient equipment, handrails, and structural repairs.

   • Hiring Trend: Slow and steady. These are coveted, stable jobs with great benefits.

Insider Tip: The best jobs at these places are often filled through word-of-mouth or internal referral before they're ever posted online. If you're serious about moving here, join the Missouri Welding Technology Institute alumni network or local unions like Ironworkers Local 10 or Boilermakers Local 83 to get your name in the right circles.

Getting Licensed in MO

Missouri is a "home rule" state, meaning there's no statewide journeyman welder license. However, you need certifications to get hired and work legally.

• The Core Requirement: Your AWS (American Welding Society) certifications are your license. Employers will require AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel) for most jobs. For aviation or pipe, you'll need specific codes (ASME, AWS D17.1).
• Cost: Getting certified initially can cost $500 - $1,500 for a comprehensive course and testing. Many community colleges and trade schools offer this.
  • Lee's Summit Campus of Metropolitan Community College (MCC): They offer continuing education and certification programs. A great local resource.
  • Missouri Welding Technology Institute (MWTI): Located about an hour away in Nevada, MO, it's one of the top schools in the state. Many Lee's Summit employers recognize their graduates.
• Timeline: If you're starting from zero, a full-time program can take 6-12 months. For an experienced welder moving to the area, you can get the necessary local certifications (like D1.1) in 1-3 months of part-time study and testing.
• OSHA 10/30: Many employers, especially in construction and large plants, require this safety certification. It's a 10-30 hour course, often paid for by the employer, costing $60-$150.

Pro Tip: When you move, have your AWS certification cards ready. Frame them. It’s the first thing a shop foreman will ask to see.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live affects your commute, your rent, and your lifestyle. Here’s the lay of the land.

1. Historic District / Downtown Lee's Summit: The heart of the city. Great for walkability, with local pubs and coffee shops. It's close to the major industrial corridors on 291 and 50 Highway.

   • Vibe: Upscale, historic, community-focused.
   • 1BR Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,200/month
   • Commute: 5-15 minutes to most local employers.

2. North Lee's Summit (near I-470 & 291): This is the industrial and commercial belt. You'll find the big-box stores, newer apartments, and quick access to the interstate for commuting to Kansas City or the Northland.

   • Vibe: Convenient, modern, car-dependent.
   • 1BR Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,150/month
   • Commute: 10-20 minutes. Ideal if you work for a Bendix King or Schlage.

3. East Lee's Summit (near 50 Highway): More suburban and family-oriented. Slightly lower rents, older homes, and a slower pace. Good access to the I-70 corridor for jobs in Independence and Kansas City.

   • Vibe: Quiet, established, suburban.
   • 1BR Rent Estimate: $800 - $950/month
   • Commute: 15-25 minutes.

4. Blue Springs (Adjacent City): A direct neighbor with its own identity. Often has slightly lower rents and a strong sense of community. The commute to Lee's Summit employers is minimal (15-20 minutes).

   • Vibe: Family-friendly, value-oriented.
   • 1BR Rent Estimate: $825 - $1,000/month
   • Commute: 15-25 minutes to Lee's Summit industrial areas.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth number tells you this isn't a place for job-hopping every year. Growth here is vertical, not horizontal.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest pay jumps come from specialization.

  • TIG Welding (GTAW): +$2-$4/hour over MIG/Stick.
  • Pipe Welding (ASME Section IX): +$5-$8/hour. Crucial for Union Pacific and energy-related work.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): The gold standard. An entry-level CWI can command $65,000+ immediately, moving to $80,000+ with experience. It's a desk job with fieldwork, overseeing quality.
  • Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Level II: Adds another $10,000-$15,000 to your base salary.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Welder → Lead Welder/Shift Supervisor: Manages a small crew, handles scheduling.
  2. Welder → Fabricator → Shop Foreman: Moves from pure welding to design interpretation, programming CNC plasma cutters, and managing workflow.
  3. Field Welder → Project Manager: Requires learning bids, client relations, and logistics. Common in the local construction and custom fabrication scene.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 2% growth is stable. The real opportunity is in the "gray wave"—as the current generation of senior welders and inspectors retires, there will be a shortage of experienced, certified individuals. Those with CWI and UT certifications will be in the driver's seat for salary negotiations and job security.

The Verdict: Is Lee's Summit Right for You?

Lee's Summit is a "steady hand" town. It rewards consistency, skill, and a good work ethic over flash and rapid change.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $48,593 salary goes much further here.	Limited "Boom" Towns: Don't expect the rapid salary growth of a tech or oil hub.
Stable Job Market: Anchored by established manufacturers and logistics.	Commute to KC: The best-paying, most specialized jobs may be a 30-45 minute drive into KC proper.
Great Quality of Life: Safe, family-friendly suburbs with excellent schools.	Smaller Network: You need to be proactive to meet people in your trade outside of work.
Strong Apprenticeship Unions: If you're union-inclined, the local chapters are active.	Less Diverse Cuisine/Nightlife: Compared to a major metro, it's quieter.
Central Location: Easy drive to St. Louis, Wichita, or Columbia for opportunities.	Weather: Winters can be cold, summers hot and humid. Shop work is climate-controlled, but field work isn't.

Final Recommendation: Lee's Summit is an excellent choice for a welder who values stability, affordability, and a high quality of life. It's perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, start a family, or advance into a leadership or inspection role. If you're a young, single welder looking for the highest possible salary and a non-stop social scene, you might be better served by Kansas City or the Gulf Coast. But if you want your hard work to translate directly into a comfortable, secure life, Lee's Summit is a fantastic place to build a career and a home.

---

FAQs

1. I'm a new welder. Will I find an entry-level job in Lee's Summit?
Yes, but it may be in a support role like a fitter or helper at a fabrication shop. The key is to get your AWS D1.1 certification before you move. Shops are more likely to take a chance on you if you're already certified. Look for "Welder's Helper" or "Entry-Level Fabricator" positions.

2. How competitive is the job market for experienced welders?
For true journeyman-level welders with multiple certifications (especially pipe), it's moderately competitive but not cutthroat. Your biggest advantage will be a clean driving record and the ability to pass a drug screen. Many employers also require a physical.

3. What's the commute really like?
If you live in Lee's Summit and work in Lee's Summit, it's a breeze—typically 15 minutes or less. If you work in Kansas City (Northland or Westside), it's a 30-45 minute drive on I-70 or I-435, which can be congested during rush hour. Factor in $50-$100/month in extra gas if you're commuting to KC.

4. Are there union opportunities?
Absolutely. Ironworkers Local 10 and Boilermakers Local 83 have a strong presence in the region. Union jobs typically pay $35-$45/hour plus benefits (health insurance, pension), which can exceed the median wage. However, getting in often requires signing up on a referral list and waiting for a call. It's a long game but can be very lucrative.

5. Is the cost of living really that low?
Yes. The 93.3 cost