Welder Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $25.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Palatine, IL runs $25.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,130 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,277 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palatine, Illinois, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $25.06 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate presents an interesting financial outlook for both part-time and per-diem workers in various settings such as fabrication shops and pipeline welding operations. Those working just three days a week can expect to earn around $960 weekly, which translates to approximately $49,920 annually for a part-time schedule. For entrants into the field, hourly wages start at around $17.77 and can reach as high as $35.83 for top earners, depending on experience and industry. This variation reflects the diverse array of welding applications in the area, from manufacturing production cells to specialized mobile welding setups.
About the Palatine 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) | $17.77 | $142.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.31 | $170.46 |
| Median (P50) | $25.06 | $200.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.30 | $234.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.83 | $286.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $25.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.06/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $52,128 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,074. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,002.46 | $4,344 | $52,128 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $601.48 | $2,606 | $31,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $400.99 | $1,738 | $20,851 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Palatine) | $25.06 |
| 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 Palatine, IL earn a median of $52,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.74% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $52,026.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.06/hr = $31,277/year (purchasing power: $32,211).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,128/year (purchasing power: $53,685).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Palatine grew 26.5% from $19.05/hr (2019) to $24.10/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.06/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 Palatine 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 Palatine
While the hourly rate provides a solid foundation for welders in Palatine, it’s essential to consider the part-time earning potential. Working a typical 3-day, 24-hour week can yield a unique financial picture. A per-diem welder pay in Palatine may range from $40 to $70 an hour for traveling jobs, often supplemented with daily allowances that can reach $175 for expenses. Welders on refinery turnaround projects can command $50-$80 per hour, especially during high-demand periods. Meanwhile, owner-operators in the rig welding sector can charge $90-$160 per hour, depending on the job specifics. The trade-off between a stable job with benefits and higher pay ventures can be a critical decision factor. For those negotiating their hourly pay, emphasizing skill set certifications, particularly in advanced fields like nuclear or undersea welding, can bolster compensation offers. Understanding local employer expectations—ranging from structural steel shops to aerospace and defense contracting—will also enhance effective negotiation strategies in Palatine.
More salary data for Palatine, 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 Palatine. 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 Palatine 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