Welder Hourly Pay in Crystal Lake, IL: $23.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Crystal Lake, IL runs $23.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,543 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Crystal Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,720 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Crystal Lake, the projected median welder hourly rate for 2026 stands at $23.81, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. For part-time welders working approximately three days a week, this rate translates to essential flexibility in their work-life balance. Typical environments include fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing production cells, where the work may demand specialized skills or certifications. The hourly earnings in this field range significantly from $18.28 for entry-level positions to $33.94 for highly skilled welders and those in specialized roles. As a result, crystal clear insights into welder hourly pay in Crystal Lake reveal a market that remains competitive, especially when considering its proximity to larger industrial sectors.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.28 | $146.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.13 | $169.05 |
| Median (P50) | $23.81 | $190.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.98 | $223.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.94 | $271.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Crystal Lake
Based on $23.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.81/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Crystal Lake, IL can expect to earn approximately $49,533 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,576. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Crystal Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Crystal Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $952.55 | $4,128 | $49,533 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.53 | $2,477 | $29,720 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.02 | $1,651 | $19,813 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Crystal Lake) | $23.81 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $49,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.36% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $52,041.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.81/hr = $29,720/year (purchasing power: $30,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,533/year (purchasing power: $51,012).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Crystal Lake grew 26.5% from $18.10/hr (2019) to $22.90/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Crystal Lake metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Crystal Lake
For welders contemplating part-time positions in Crystal Lake, earning potential can vary considerably between full-time and part-time work. A welder working 24 hours a week could expect to take home a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time colleagues, but the arrangement allows for flexibility and additional pursuits. Per-diem welders, particularly those in traveling roles or specialized sectors like oil and gas pipelines, can earn substantial daily rates of $80 to $175 on top of hourly wages that range from $40 to $70. Similarly, underwater welders may command even higher rates during diving season. Employers in the local area, including structural steel fabrication shops and nuclear maintenance facilities, may offer different rates depending on the skillset required. Health benefits often drive pay negotiations, guiding welders to opt for slightly lower hourly rates with comprehensive benefits or higher rates without them. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for successful salary discussions in the competitive welding market of Crystal Lake.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Crystal Lake. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Crystal Lake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov