Welder Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $24.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Gurnee, IL runs $24.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,271 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,758 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $24.65, which trails behind the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate is significant for both part-time welders and those working on a per-diem basis, particularly in diverse environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline trench stations, and shipyard areas. For example, individuals working just three days a week may still earn a respectable income in relation to their hours invested. The hourly range spans from $18.28 for entry-level positions to $33.50 for experienced welders, demonstrating a wide spectrum of earning potential tailored to skill, experience, and type of work setting, all based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026.
About the Gurnee 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) | $21.40 | $171.21 |
| Median (P50) | $24.65 | $197.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.96 | $223.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.50 | $267.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $24.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.65/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $51,263 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,575. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $985.83 | $4,272 | $51,263 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.50 | $2,563 | $30,758 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.33 | $1,709 | $20,505 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Gurnee) | $24.65 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $51,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.27% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $52,052.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.65/hr = $30,758/year (purchasing power: $31,676).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,263/year (purchasing power: $52,794).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Gurnee grew 26.5% from $18.74/hr (2019) to $23.70/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.63/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
Considering part-time work, a welder operating three days a week can earn around $38,000 annually if clocking 24 hours weekly, compared to $51,271 for full-time positions. This makes the hourly pay structure particularly appealing for welders seeking to balance other commitments. For those engaged in per-diem roles, wages drastically increase. Traveling pipe welders may command $40-$70/hr, along with daily per-diem amounts ranging from $80-$175; shutdown refinery welders can see rates of $50-$80/hr, with potential double-time on weekends. In addition, factors such as employer type can greatly influence pay—structural fabrication, nuclear, and shipyard work often offer premium wages, sometimes offsetting lower hourly rates with added benefits like health insurance. Negotiating effectively in Gurnee requires understanding these dynamics, as welders can weigh the trade-offs of hourly pay against comprehensive benefits offered by union roles versus higher wages in non-union positions.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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