Welder in Overland Park, KS

The Salary Picture: Where Overland Park Stands

As a local, I’ve watched the welding trade here evolve from the old-school shops in the K-10 corridor to the high-tech fabrication shops feeding the Kansas City metro’s booming aerospace and automotive sectors. Overland Park isn't a standalone market; it’s the affluent suburban heart of the Kansas City metro. For welders, this means opportunities are plentiful but competition is with skilled tradespeople from the entire region.

Let's look at the hard numbers. The median salary for a welder in Overland Park is $48,593/year, translating to an hourly rate of $23.36/hour. This sits slightly below the national average of $49,590/year, a common pattern in the Midwest for trades with a high density of experienced workers. The metro area supports 394 welding jobs, which is a solid number for a city of this size, indicating steady demand. However, the 10-year job growth is only 2%, which suggests this isn't an explosive growth field but a stable, reliable one. You’re not moving here for a gold rush; you’re moving here for a steady, well-paying career in a city with a low cost of living.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level in our local market:

Experience Level	Typical Local Salary Range (Annual)
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$38,000 - $45,000
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$48,000 - $58,000
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$59,000 - $70,000
Expert / Inspector (15+ yrs)	$71,000 - $85,000+

Insider Tip: The jump from Mid to Senior level often comes with AWS (American Welding Society) certifications. A welder with a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) credential can easily command $70,000+ in the Kansas City metro, especially with companies like Garmin or Black & Veatch.

How Overland Park Compares to Other Kansas Cities:

• Wichita: Salaries are comparable (~$48,000), but the job market is heavily tied to aviation (Cessna, Boeing). The cost of living is slightly lower.
• Topeka: Salaries are slightly lower (~$45,000), and the job market is smaller, dominated by state government and smaller manufacturers.
• Kansas City, MO (across state line): Salaries can be 5-10% higher (~$51,000), but the cost of living in the Northland or downtown is significantly higher. Many Overland Park welders live in OP but take jobs in KCMO for the higher pay.
• Manhattan (near Fort Riley): Salaries are similar, but the market is dominated by military contractors and Kansas State University research labs, offering different specialization opportunities.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. With a median salary of $48,593, your take-home pay after taxes (assuming single filer, no dependents, standard deduction) will be roughly $39,500 annually, or about $3,290/month. This is a conservative estimate; your actual take-home depends on health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and Kansas state taxes.

Overland Park has an average 1BR rent of $839/month. The city’s Cost of Living Index is 93.3 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar goes further here than the national average.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a mid-level welder:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,290	From $48,593 salary
Rent (1BR, avg)	$839	A decent apartment in a safe area
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Internet)	$180	Kansas winters are cold; heating costs are real.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	You will need a car. Public transit is limited.
Groceries	$400	Prices are reasonable, but rising.
Fuel	$150	Commutes are typically 15-25 miles.
Healthcare (Copays/OTC)	$150	If employer doesn't cover fully.
Discretionary/Other	$1,121	This includes savings, entertainment, clothes.

Can you afford to buy a home? Yes, but timing is key. The median home price in Overland Park is around $375,000. With a $48,593 salary, lenders will look for a debt-to-income ratio under 43%. Your estimated monthly mortgage (with 10% down) would be around $2,200, which would be about 48% of your take-home pay. This is tight.

Insider Tip: Don’t buy in your first year. Rent for 12-18 months, build savings for a 15-20% down payment, and use the time to find a job with a stronger benefits package (like a union job with a pension or a company match). Look at neighboring cities like Olathe or Lenexa for slightly lower home prices while keeping the same commute.

Where the Jobs Are: Overland Park's Major Employers

The welding jobs in Overland Park aren’t in one concentrated industrial park; they’re spread across the metro. You need to look at the greater Kansas City area, which includes Johnson County (OP), Wyandotte County (Kansas City, KS), and the Northland (KCMO). Here are the key players:

1. Black & Veatch (Headquartered in Overland Park): A global engineering giant. They don’t just build power plants; they build the massive steel structures for them. They hire certified welders for their fabrication shops and field crews. Hiring is steady, but competition is high. They prefer welders with AWS certifications and experience with exotic alloys.
2. Garmin (Olathe, 10-min drive from OP): While known for GPS, Garmin has a huge manufacturing division that needs precision welders for mounting hardware, specialized enclosures, and prototyping. This is a clean, high-tech environment. Wages are above median, often starting at $25+/hr. They look for welders with TIG and MIG experience on aluminum and stainless.
3. Burns & McDonnell (Headquartered in KCMO, but major OP presence): An employee-owned engineering firm similar to Black & Veatch. They have a massive fabrication shop in the West Bottoms of KCMO and often hire welders for field maintenance at local power plants and water treatment facilities (like the Kansas City Water Services Department).
4. Midwest Steel (Multiple locations): A large fabricator and erector in the Kansas City metro. They work on high-rise buildings (like the new KC Streetcar line) and industrial facilities. This is heavy-duty structural welding. They often have a "help wanted" sign up and offer apprenticeship programs for those starting out.
5. John Deere (Tonganoxie, KS - ~30 min drive): While not in Overland Park proper, John Deere’s Harvester Works is a major employer for the region. They need welders for their massive combine harvesters. The work is fast-paced, unionized (UAW), and offers excellent pay and benefits. The commute is doable.
6. Local Union Shops (IBEW & Ironworkers): The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 124) and the Ironworkers (Local 10) have training centers in the metro. They offer apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. This is often the best path to a $60,000+ career with full benefits and a pension.

Hiring Trends: The biggest trend is the shift from "welder" to "welder/fabricator." Employers want someone who can read blueprints, program a CNC plate table, and operate a press brake—not just lay a bead. The shops in the K-10 corridor (Lenexa, Olathe) are the most active. Hiring is consistent, but don't expect to be hired on the spot. The interview process can take 2-3 weeks.

Getting Licensed in KS

This is a critical point: Kansas does not have a state-level welder license. The state licenses plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades, but not welding. Your qualifications are based on your skills and certifications, primarily from the American Welding Society (AWS).

However, there are local requirements:

• City of Overland Park: No local license needed for residential work. For commercial/industrial work on city contracts, you may need to be employed by a company that holds the proper city permits.
• CWI (Certified Welding Inspector): This is a national certification from AWS. It’s the gold standard for advancement. It costs about $1,200 for the exam and requires 4-5 years of experience. Having a CWI can bump your salary by $10-15/hour.
• Background Checks: Most major employers (Black & Veatch, Garmin) will require a background check and a drug screen. This is standard in the industry.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. No Experience: Enroll in a 6-month welding certificate program. Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park is the best local option. Their program costs about $4,500 and includes AWS certification testing. You can be job-ready in 7-8 months.
2. Some Experience: If you have 1-2 years of experience, focus on getting AWS certifications (GMAW, FCAW, SMAW). This can be done through a 2-3 week intensive course at a local welding supply shop (like Airgas or Harris Welding) for around $800.
3. Apprenticeship: Apply to an IBEW or Ironworker apprenticeship. The application process (tests, interviews) can take 3-6 months. Once in, you start earning $18-22/hr immediately while you learn.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live depends on your shop’s location. Johnson County is car-centric, but traffic on I-35 and I-435 can be brutal during rush hour.

1. Overland Park (Central/North): Near the I-435/I-35 interchange. You’re close to major employers like Black & Veatch and the K-10 corridor. Commute to most shops is 10-15 minutes.

   • Rent 1BR: $950 - $1,100
   • Lifestyle: Suburban, family-oriented, great parks (Swope Park is nearby). Safe, but can feel sterile.

2. Olathe (South): The southern extension of Overland Park. Home to Garmin and several large fabrication shops. Slightly more affordable than central OP.

   • Rent 1BR: $850 - $950
   • Lifestyle: More residential, less traffic, closer to the KC Metro’s outdoor areas (Heritage Park). Great for families.

3. Lenexa (West): Located along I-35, the "heart of the trail." It’s the center of the K-10 corridor’s industrial and corporate parks. A huge number of welding jobs are within a 5-10 minute drive.

   • Rent 1BR: $900 - $1,050
   • Lifestyle: A mix of old-town charm and modern subdivisions. Very convenient for commuters.

4. Kansas City, KS (West Side/Wyandotte County): Across the state line. The commute to OP shops is 20-30 minutes, but rent is significantly lower. Home to the Kansas Speedway and several heavy manufacturing plants.

   • Rent 1BR: $700 - $850
   • Lifestyle: More urban, diverse. Be aware of the varying safety of neighborhoods. The west side has a strong industrial heritage.

5. Lee’s Summit, MO (East): A 30-40 minute commute, but many welders live here and take jobs in the Northland (KCMO) or even in OP for the higher pay. Rents are moderate, and the school system is excellent.

   • Rent 1BR: $800 - $950
   • Lifestyle: A "bedroom community" with a strong sense of town pride. Good for raising a family if you don’t mind the commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth statistic is misleading if you only look at the "welder" title. The real growth is in specialization and advancement.

• Specialty Premiums (Annual Salary Boost):
  • TIG Welder (Aluminum/Stainless): +$5,000 - $8,000
  • Structural Welder (D1.1 Certification): +$3,000 - $6,000
  • Pipe Welder (6G Certification): +$10,000 - $15,000 (This is the highest-paid skill locally)
  • Welding Inspector (CWI): +$15,000 - $25,000 (Opens doors to management)

Advancement Paths:

1. Shop Floor to Foreman: 5-7 years. Requires leadership skills and blueprint mastery.
2. Field Welder to Project Manager: 7-10 years. You’ll manage crews on-site for companies like Black & Veatch. Requires a lot of travel.
3. Welder to Educator: JCCC and other community colleges need experienced welders to teach. This requires an associate’s degree and 5+ years of experience. Pay is steady ($55,000 - $65,000), with great benefits and summers off.

10-Year Outlook: The demand for experienced pipe welders will remain strong due to local energy infrastructure projects (pipelines, power plants). The rise of automation (robotic welding) will reduce demand for simple MIG welding but increase demand for welder-programmers and maintenance technicians. To stay relevant, you must upskill.

The Verdict: Is Overland Park Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $48,593 salary feels like $60k+ in coastal cities.	Car Dependent: You must own a reliable vehicle. Commutes are long.
Stable Job Market: 394 jobs, steady demand from engineering firms.	Limited Specialization: Fewer niche industries (e.g., underwater welding, aerospace R&D).
Great Work-Life Balance: Typical 40-50 hour weeks, few overtime mandates.	Midwestern Wages: Salaries lag behind national averages and coastal cities.
Family-Friendly: Excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, low crime.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and cold, icy winters can affect outdoor work.
Proximity to KC Metro: Access to all the amenities of a major city (sports, concerts).	2% Growth: Job market is stable but not booming.

Final Recommendation: Overland Park is an excellent choice for welders who value stability, a low cost of living, and a good quality of life. It’s not the place for someone seeking rapid, explosive career growth or the highest possible wages. It’s ideal for a welder with 2-5 years of experience who wants to buy a home, start a family, and build a long-term career with a union or a major engineering firm. If you’re willing to get AWS certifications (especially pipe welding or inspection), you can live very comfortably here.

FAQs

1. Do I need my own welding rig (truck and equipment) to get a job in Overland Park?
No. Most shop jobs provide all equipment. However, if you want to work as a field welder for a contractor, owning a rig becomes more common and can increase your pay, but it’s not required to start.

2. Is the job market competitive?
Yes, but it’s a "skills" competition. The shops are flooded with applicants who have a basic 1-year certificate. The candidates who stand out have AWS certifications, a clean driving record, and experience with blueprint reading. Insider Tip: Walk into shops in the K-10 corridor (Lenexa/Olathe) with a resume in hand. The hiring managers are often old-school and appreciate the initiative.

3. What’s the weather like for outdoor welding?
You’ll work in all seasons. Summers are hot and humid (90°F+). Winters are cold, often below freezing, and you’ll be welding in unheated spaces. Invest in quality gear (heated jackets, insulated boots). Many companies have indoor and outdoor work, so ask about the ratio during interviews.

4. Can I get a job without any formal training?
It’s very difficult. Most employers require a certificate or apprenticeship. Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is the most respected program locally. Their graduates are heavily recruited. It’s a smart investment.

5. How do I get a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) in KS?
You don’t get it in KS; you get it from AWS. You need to apply for the exam through the AWS website. You’ll need to document your work experience (usually 4-5 years). Prep courses are available online or at local welding schools. The exam is a