Welders Salary

Elkhart vs Schererville: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Elkhart, IN and Schererville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elkhart, IN
$52,983
$25.47/hr
Schererville, IN
$50,584
$24.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElkhart, INSchererville, IN
Median Salary$52,983$50,584
Hourly Rate$25.47$24.32
Entry Level (P10)$41,367$37,113
25th Percentile$48,106$45,575
75th Percentile$66,897$57,180
Top Earner (P90)$83,275$73,062
Total Employed2,0007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elkhart ($52,983) and Schererville ($50,584) welder salaries.ElkhartScherervilleMedian Salary$52,983$50,584Entry Level (P10)$41,367$37,113Top Earner (P90)$83,275$73,062US Median $55,895

Verdict

Elkhart, IN offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Schererville.

The salary gap between Elkhart and Schererville is $2,399 (4.74%). Elkhart's median is -5.21% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elkhart spans $41,908,Schererville spans $35,949. Elkhart has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elkhart
P10 (Entry)$41,367
P25$48,106
Median$52,983
P75$66,897
P90 (Top)$83,275
Schererville
P10 (Entry)$37,113
P25$45,575
Median$50,584
P75$57,180
P90 (Top)$73,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elkhart ($58,658 effective) pays 5.87% more than Schererville ($55,404 effective).

Elkhart
Nominal: $52,983
CoL Index: 90.325
Adjusted: $58,658
Schererville
Nominal: $50,584
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $55,404

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elkhart if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,983/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,275)
  • Larger job market (2,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,658)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Schererville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Elkhart grew 32.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in Schererville over the same period.

Elkhart, IN

+32.2%

$38,540 (2019) → $50,950 (2025)

Schererville, IN

+4.5%

$46,569 (2024) → $48,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Elkhart or Schererville?

Elkhart has a higher median welder salary at $52,983/year, compared to Schererville at $50,584/year — a difference of $2,399 (4.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elkhart and Schererville?

Elkhart welders earn $25.47/hr while Schererville hygienists earn $24.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elkhart to Schererville as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elkhart and Schererville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elkhart = $58,658, Schererville = $55,404), job availability (2,000 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Elkhart vs Schererville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $41,367 in Elkhart and $37,113 in Schererville. The Elkhart 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