Welder Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $24.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Normal, IL runs $24.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,440 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,265 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Normal, Illinois, the projected welder hourly rate for 2026 is $24.25, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This disparity highlights the variations that can exist based on location and demand within the industry. For welders working part-time—say, three days a week—this hourly pay translates to approximately $30,930 annually, assuming a 24-hour workweek. In typical welding environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and shipyards, the hourly range can vary significantly from $17.25 for entry-level positions to $34.63 for the top earners, reflecting both expertise and the complexity of the tasks. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, provide a frame of reference for those considering a career in welding in Normal, where workers may find opportunities in diverse settings from manufacturing cells to mobile rig setups.
About the Normal 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) | $17.25 | $138.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.59 | $164.72 |
| Median (P50) | $24.25 | $194.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.33 | $226.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.63 | $277.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $24.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.25/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $50,441 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,101. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.02 | $4,203 | $50,441 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.01 | $2,522 | $30,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.01 | $1,681 | $20,176 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Normal) | $24.25 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $50,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.76% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $52,000.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.25/hr = $30,265/year (purchasing power: $31,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,441/year (purchasing power: $51,947).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Normal grew 26.5% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $23.32/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.22/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 Normal 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 Normal
For welders pursuing part-time work or engaging with per-diem opportunities, the potential earnings can shift considerably. A welder tackling a three-day work week at the base rate can bring home roughly $30,930, whereas full-time employment amplifies that earnings capacity. Often, agency or locum welders find themselves in high-paying environments such as refinery turnarounds, where compensation can climb to $50-$80 per hour, often with double-time incentives on weekends, or in mobile rig work, where owner-operators can bill anywhere from $90-$160 per hour, factoring in equipment costs. Additionally, underwater welders command even higher rates, reflecting the specialized skills and risks involved, with daily pay sometimes exceeding $1,000. In Normal, variations in hourly rates exist across different employer types, from oil and gas pipelines to nuclear power maintenance. Understanding the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits is crucial; welders might choose higher pay with no benefits or lower rates offering health insurance. Effective negotiation techniques tailored to the local market dynamics can significantly enhance earnings for welders in this region.
More salary data for Normal, 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 Normal. 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 Normal 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