Welder Hourly Pay in O'Fallon, IL: $24.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in O'Fallon, IL runs $24.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,686 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against O'Fallon's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,407 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In O'Fallon, Illinois, the welder hourly rate is projected to reach $24.36 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge but still falling short of the national average of $26.87. This median translates to varying earning capacities for welders, whether working full-time or part-time, with potential hourly rates ranging from $17.61 for entry-level positions to $34.87 for those at the top of their field. For part-time workers on a three-day work week, this equates to about $1,171 weekly or roughly $60,892 annually if they consistently secure full shifts. Welders in O’Fallon, particularly in settings like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations, have the flexibility to navigate multiple roles, making their compensation structure quite adaptable, especially for those considering per diem roles in high-demand projects or locations.
About the O'Fallon 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) | $17.61 | $140.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.81 | $166.47 |
| Median (P50) | $24.36 | $194.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.87 | $222.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.87 | $278.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in O'Fallon
Based on $24.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.36/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in O'Fallon, IL can expect to earn approximately $50,679 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,238. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in O'Fallon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in O'Fallon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $974.59 | $4,223 | $50,679 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $584.76 | $2,534 | $30,407 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $389.84 | $1,689 | $20,272 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (O'Fallon) | $24.36 |
| 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 O'Fallon, IL earn a median of $50,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.32% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $52,039.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.36/hr = $30,407/year (purchasing power: $31,315).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,679/year (purchasing power: $52,192).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in O'Fallon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in O'Fallon grew 26.5% from $18.52/hr (2019) to $23.43/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.34/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 O'Fallon 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 O'Fallon
The financial dynamics for welders in O'Fallon also reflect broader trends in the industry, particularly in terms of part-time employment and per diem opportunities. A part-time welder working 24 hours a week would take home about $30,187 annually, compared to nearly $50,686 for a full-time commitment. Traveling pipe welders can see per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily, in addition to their base hourly wages of $40-$70, significantly enhancing earning potential. In specialized sectors such as refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, rates can soar, with estimates indicating up to $3,000 per day during peak seasons. The earnings landscape can vary further by employer types in O'Fallon—from structural steel fabrication to oil and gas pipeline projects—and while some welders might accept lower hourly rates for the stability of benefits, aspiring welders should also consider the negotiation aspects unique to hourly labor in this market.
More salary data for O'Fallon, 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 O'Fallon. 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 O'Fallon 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