Welders Salary

Carpentersville vs Peoria: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Carpentersville, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carpentersville, IL
$50,729
$24.39/hr
Peoria, IL
$61,313
$29.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$50,729$61,313
Hourly Rate$24.39$29.47
Entry Level (P10)$39,375$48,335
25th Percentile$45,335$52,047
75th Percentile$59,906$68,550
Top Earner (P90)$72,809$83,119
Total Employed81,230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($50,729) and Peoria ($61,313) welder salaries.CarpentersvillePeoriaMedian Salary$50,729$61,313Entry Level (P10)$39,375$48,335Top Earner (P90)$72,809$83,119US Median $55,895

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carpentersville.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Peoria is $10,584 (20.86%). Peoria's median is +9.69% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $33,434,Peoria spans $34,784. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$39,375
P25$45,335
Median$50,729
P75$59,906
P90 (Top)$72,809
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$48,335
P25$52,047
Median$61,313
P75$68,550
P90 (Top)$83,119

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($67,206 effective) pays 28.64% more than Carpentersville ($52,244 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $50,729
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $52,244
Peoria
Nominal: $61,313
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $67,206

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,313/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,119)
  • Larger job market (1,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,206)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Carpentersville grew -11.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+-11.2%

$54,915 (2024) → $48,783 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+31.8%

$44,720 (2019) → $58,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Carpentersville or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median welder salary at $61,313/year, compared to Carpentersville at $50,729/year — a difference of $10,584 (20.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Peoria?

Carpentersville welders earn $24.39/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $29.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Peoria as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $52,244, Peoria = $67,206), job availability (8 vs 1,230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Carpentersville vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,375 in Carpentersville and $48,335 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder

Career Analyst

James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov