Welder Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $24.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in DeKalb, IL runs $24.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,064 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,044 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in DeKalb, Illinois, earn a median hourly rate of $24.07, which reflects a competitive, yet comparatively lower figure when stacked against the national median of $26.87. For those who work part-time or on a per-diem basis, this hourly wage translates into meaningful income, particularly in various welding environments such as fabrication shops and industrial projects. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $18.88 per hour, while highly skilled professionals may reach rates as high as $34.78. With the welding industry's diverse settings, from manufacturing production lines to specialized nuclear plant maintenance, these hourly rates provide vital insights for individuals considering full-time or flexible work arrangements in the region.
About the DeKalb 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) | $18.88 | $151.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.66 | $173.29 |
| Median (P50) | $24.07 | $192.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.14 | $217.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.78 | $278.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $24.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.07/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $50,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,888. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $962.95 | $4,173 | $50,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $577.77 | $2,504 | $30,044 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $385.18 | $1,669 | $20,029 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (DeKalb) | $24.07 |
| 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 DeKalb, IL earn a median of $50,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $52,041.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.07/hr = $30,044/year (purchasing power: $30,941).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,073/year (purchasing power: $51,569).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in DeKalb grew 26.5% from $18.30/hr (2019) to $23.15/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.03/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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb
Part-time welders working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can anticipate annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, given the shorter workweek. In contrast, traveling welders often benefit from lucrative per-diem arrangements, with daily compensation ranging from $80 to $175, in addition to base hourly rates of $40 to $70. For specialized positions, such as those required during refinery turnarounds, welders may command $50 to $80 per hour and can even earn double-time on weekends. Additionally, owner-operators in mobile welding setups or underwater divers may charge upwards of $100 to $300 per day, illustrating the vast differences in welder pay in DeKalb. These variations also reflect compensatory trade-offs where some welders might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and more stable work hours. Negotiating effectively in this regional market is key, with knowledge of local employer pay structures — across steel fabrication, oil and gas projects, and aerospace — becoming crucial for maximizing potential earnings.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 DeKalb. 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 DeKalb 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