The Complete Career Guide for Welders in Salina, KS

As a career analyst who's spent years mapping the job markets across Kansas, I can tell you that Salina offers a unique proposition for welders. It's not the booming metropolis of Wichita or the tech hub of Overland Park, but it's a solid, stable industrial hub where a skilled welder can build a comfortable life. This guide cuts through the promotional fluff and gives you the data-driven, local insights you need to decide if Salina is your next stop.

The Salary Picture: Where Salina Stands

Let's get the numbers on the table first. In Salina, the median salary for a welder is $47,804 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.98. For context, the national average for welders sits at $49,590, so Salina's median is slightly below the national figure, but not dramatically so. This is a critical point—it reflects the lower cost of living in central Kansas.

The job market here is tight but stable. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the Salina metropolitan area, there are approximately 92 jobs for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. The 10-year job growth projection is 2%, which is modest but indicative of steady demand from the area's core manufacturing and agricultural sectors. You're not walking into a gold rush, but you're not facing a dying industry either.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level in the Salina market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Employers at This Level
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$35,000 - $42,000	Smaller fab shops, agricultural repair, apprenticeship programs
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$45,000 - $55,000	Major manufacturers, structural welding, pipeline support
Senior	8-15 years	$55,000 - $65,000+	Lead welder roles, quality control, specialized fabrication
Expert/Specialist	15+ years	$65,000 - $75,000+	Certified welding inspector (CWI), shop foreman, niche project work

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-career to senior often hinges on certifications. Holding AWS D1.1 (structural steel) or D1.5 (bridge welding) can push you to the top of the pay scale. In Salina, where agricultural and structural work is common, these certs are gold.

Comparison to Other Kansas Cities

How does Salina stack up? It's a mid-tier market in the state.

• Wichita (Aerospace Hub): Median salary is closer to the national average, around $51,000, with more jobs and higher demand for aerospace welding (TIG, precision). Competition is stiffer.
• Kansas City Metro: Salaries are higher ($52,000+), but so is the cost of living. The job market is larger and more diverse, with more union opportunities.
• Topeka: Very similar to Salina in pay and cost of living, but with a slightly stronger public sector (state government) footprint.
• Smaller Rural Towns: You might find fewer than 20 jobs, with salaries dipping into the $40,000 range, but the cost of living can be even lower.

Salina hits a sweet spot: it's large enough to have a diversified industrial base but small enough to avoid the intense competition and higher costs of the state's largest metros.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $47,804 sounds workable, but the real question is what's left after the essentials. Let's break down a monthly budget for a single welder earning the median wage.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Welder, $47,804 Annual Salary)

• Gross Monthly Pay: ~$3,984
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$875 (This is an estimate; consult a tax professional)
• Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home): ~$3,109
• Average 1BR Rent (Salina): $792
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): ~$200
• Groceries: ~$300
• Transportation (Gas/Car Payment/Insurance): ~$400 (Car is essential in Salina)
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): ~$250
• Miscellaneous (Personal, Entertainment): ~$200
• Total Monthly Expenses: ~$2,142
• Monthly Surplus: ~$967

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, with a solid plan. The surplus of nearly $1,000 per month is significant. The median home price in Salina is approximately $150,000 - $170,000. A 20% down payment ($30,000-$34,000) is a stretch on a single salary without savings, but an FHA loan (3.5% down, ~$5,250 - $6,000) is very attainable. With a mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) of around $900-$1,100 per month, a welder earning the median salary can comfortably become a homeowner within 1-2 years of disciplined saving.

Insider Tip: The Cost of Living Index of 88.0 (US avg = 100) is your best friend here. Your dollar stretches about 12% further than the national average, making homeownership and savings far more achievable than in most other parts of the country.

Where the Jobs Are: Salina's Major Employers

Salina's economy is built on manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. Here’s where welders find steady work:

1. Schwan's Company (Manufacturing & Food Service): While known for food, their Salina operation has a large manufacturing and logistics component. They have in-house maintenance teams that require welders for equipment repair and fabrication. Hiring is steady, often posted on their corporate site.
2. Schlumberger (Oilfield Services): This is a major player. Their Salina facility focuses on manufacturing and servicing downhole tools. They hire welders for precision TIG and MIG work on high-strength materials. They often seek candidates with 3-5 years of experience and specific certifications. Hiring trends are cyclical, tied to oil prices, but they maintain a core team.
3. Barton Community College (Career & Technical Education): Not a direct employer, but a key pipeline. Their welding program feeds graduates into the local market. They also hire welding instructors (a path for senior welders). Networking here is crucial.
4. Salina Regional Health Center: The hospital's facilities and maintenance department employs welders for structural repairs, medical equipment modifications, and HVAC work. It's a stable, unionized government-adjacent job with great benefits.
5. Local Agricultural Implement & Fabrication Shops: Salina is in the heart of wheat country. Shops like Midwest Fabrication or Salina Iron Works (examples of local types) are always busy repairing and building equipment for farmers. These are often smaller shops where a welder can wear many hats. Hiring is less formal—word-of-mouth is key.
6. Transportation & Logistics Hubs: Companies like Cargill (grain handling) and regional trucking firms have facilities in Salina. They need welders for maintaining railcar hoppers, grain bins, and trailer frames.
7. Union Opportunities: While not as dense as in KC or Wichita, local International Association of Machinists (IAM) or United Steelworkers (USW) chapters sometimes have representation in Salina's larger plants. Union jobs often pay at the higher end of the scale ($55,000+) and offer superior benefits.

Hiring Trend Insight: The demand is for versatile welders. Shops here often need someone who can switch from a structural MIG weld on a tractor frame to a TIG weld on a stainless steel food processing tank. Certifications that cover multiple processes (AWS D1.1, D1.6, etc.) make you highly marketable.

Getting Licensed in KS

Kansas does not have a state-specific welding license for general fabrication or construction. However, mandatory licensing and certifications are required for specific, high-stakes work.

• Pressure Vessel/Pipeline Welding: To work on boilers, pressure piping, or pipelines, you must be certified to the ASME Section IX standard. This is typically administered by an employer or a third-party test facility (like a local AWS Accredited Test Facility). The cost for a single qualification test can range from $200 to $500, depending on the process and position.
• Structural Welding: For structural steel (bridges, buildings), the AWS D1.1 code is the standard. While not a state license, most employers in Salina (especially those doing municipal or state-contracted work) require it. Certification tests are similarly priced.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): Offered by the American Welding Society (AWS), this is a career-advancing credential, not a license. It requires passing a comprehensive exam and can cost $1,000+ for training and the test. It's a path to supervision and quality control roles.

Timeline to Get Started:

• 0-6 Months: Complete a welding program at Barton Community College or a technical school. Build a portfolio of work.
• 6-12 Months: Gain entry-level experience. Work towards your AWS D1.1 certification if in structural work.
• 1-3 Years: Pursue additional process certifications (TIG, stainless, aluminum) or a CWI if aiming for inspection.
• Ongoing: Maintain certifications; many require re-testing every 6 months to 3 years.

Insider Tip: Many Salina employers, especially in manufacturing, will pay for your certification tests once you're hired. It's a common benefit. During interviews, ask about their policy on supporting continuing education and certification.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Choosing where to live in Salina depends on your commute tolerance and lifestyle. The city is compact, so "long" commutes are relative.

Neighborhood/Area	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Best For
North Salina / Industrial Park	Proximity to major plants (Schlumberger, Schwan's). Older homes, some apartments. 10-15 min commute to most jobs.	$700 - $850	The practical welder who values a short commute above all. Less nightlife, more quiet.
Downtown / Historic District	Walkable, with local cafes and a growing bar scene. Older, charming apartments. 5-15 min commute.	$800 - $1,000	Younger welders or those who want a bit more urban vibe in a small city.
South Salina	Newer subdivisions, family-friendly, great schools. Commute is 15-20 minutes to the industrial north.	$850 - $1,100	Welders with families or those planning to settle down long-term.
West Salina	Mixed residential and light commercial. Close to the airport and some logistics hubs. Moderate commute.	$750 - $900	A balanced option for those working at the airport or west-side employers.
East Salina	Residential, quiet, with easy access to I-135. Commute to north side jobs is 15 minutes.	$700 - $850	Budget-conscious welders who don't mind a short highway commute.

Insider Tip: If you're working at a place like Schlumberger in the north industrial park, living in North Salina or East Salina saves you time and gas. If you land a job at Schwan's (south-central), South Salina or Downtown makes more sense. Always check the employer's address first.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Salina, career growth for welders is less about corporate ladders and more about skill diversification and credentialing.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • TIG Welding: A TIG-certified welder can command a 10-15% salary premium over a MIG-only welder. This is crucial for food-grade, aerospace, and precision repair work.
  • Aluminum Welding: Highly sought after in the agricultural and transportation sectors. Can add $3-5/hour to your base rate.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): The ultimate career booster. Moves you from hourly production into salaried inspection and quality control, often pushing earnings to $65,000 - $80,000.
  • Field Service Welder: Traveling to job sites for repairs can come with per diems and overtime, significantly boosting annual income.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Lead Welder / Shop Foreman: After 7-10 years, you can move into supervising a small crew. This requires strong organizational skills and people management.
  2. Welding Instructor: With a CWI and experience, teaching at Barton Community College is a stable, respected path.
  3. Start Your Own Shop: Salina's agricultural base means there's always demand for custom fabrication and repair. A welder with a business mind can start a small mobile or stationary shop. This is high-risk but high-reward.
  4. Project Estimator/Manager: Move into the office side, using your hands-on experience to quote jobs and manage projects.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 2% job growth is slow but stable. Automation will affect some repetitive welding tasks, but demand for skilled welders who can problem-solve, work with varied materials, and perform quality repairs will remain strong. The key to thriving is to never stop learning. The welder who learns to program a CNC plasma cutter or master a new alloy will be the one with a job in 2034.

The Verdict: Is Salina Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living (88.0 Index): Your salary goes far, making homeownership very achievable.	Limited Job Market (92 jobs): Fewer openings than major metros; you may need to wait for the right fit.
Stable Industrial Base: Steady demand from agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors.	Lower Median Salary ($47,804): Slightly below national average; high earnings require specialization or overtime.
Manageable Commutes: No traffic jams; most jobs are within a 20-minute drive.	Limited Nightlife/Entertainment: It's a quiet city; not ideal for those seeking a bustling urban scene.
Strong Community Feel: Easy to network and build a reputation. Employers value loyalty.	Car Dependency: Public transit is minimal; you need a reliable vehicle.
Path to Homeownership: With a $967 monthly surplus, saving for a down payment is realistic.	Slower Career Growth: Advancement is more about skill than corporate promotion.

Final Recommendation:
Salina is an excellent choice for a welder who is practical, values financial stability, and is willing to specialize. It's ideal for:

• Early to mid-career welders looking to build savings and buy a home without the pressure of a high-cost city.
• Experienced welders seeking a slower pace of life and a strong community.
• Specialists in TIG, aluminum, or inspection who can command the higher end of the pay scale.

It's likely a poor fit for a welder seeking rapid career advancement in a corporate structure, high-energy nightlife, or a dense union hall environment. If you have the right certifications and a proactive attitude, Salina can be a place to build a very secure and comfortable life.

FAQs

Q: Is Salina a union town for welders?
A: Not predominantly. While some larger plants may have union representation (IAM, USW), the majority of welding jobs in Salina are non-union. Your pay and benefits will be determined by your employer, your skills, and your negotiation. Union jobs, when available, typically pay at the top of the local scale.

Q: How do I find a welding job in Salina without living there?
A: Start online. Use Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites (Schlumberger, Schwan's). Be direct—call local fabrication shops. Salina employers appreciate initiative. Be prepared to interview in person; they want to see your attitude and skills. Consider a short-term rental if you get a promising lead.

Q: What's the biggest challenge for welders new to Salina?
A: The job market is small, so it can take time to find the right position. You might need to be flexible—consider a related role (like a metal fabricator or pipefitter) initially and transition to welding. Building a local network at Barton's welding program or through local trade events is crucial.

Q: Are there opportunities for overtime?
A: Yes, especially in manufacturing and agriculture. During peak seasons (planting/harvest for ag, project deadlines for fabrication), overtime is common and can significantly boost your income. Always ask about overtime expectations during interviews.

Q: What's the weather like, and does it affect welding?