Welder Hourly Pay in St. Charles, IL: $24.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in St. Charles, IL runs $24.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,283 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, the projected welder hourly pay for 2026 stands at $24.66. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $26.87, indicative of the competitive but affordable cost of living in the area, which scores a 97.1 on the index. For part-time welders, particularly those working three days a week, the income translates to a manageable $1,190.88 weekly, providing flexibility in terms of work-life balance. Entry-level positions start at approximately $18.29, while experienced welders can command rates as high as $33.45, unmarred by geographical price disparities. This hourly structure allows for versatile roles across various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and nuclear facilities, enabling welders to navigate opportunities that best suit their skills and lifestyle.
About the St. Charles 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) | $18.29 | $146.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.41 | $171.29 |
| Median (P50) | $24.66 | $197.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.01 | $224.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.45 | $267.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $24.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.66/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, IL can expect to earn approximately $51,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,587. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $986.24 | $4,274 | $51,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.74 | $2,564 | $30,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.50 | $1,709 | $20,514 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (St. Charles) | $24.66 |
| 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 St. Charles, IL earn a median of $51,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $52,011.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.66/hr = $30,771/year (purchasing power: $31,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,285/year (purchasing power: $52,816).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in St. Charles (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 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in St. Charles grew 26.5% from $18.74/hr (2019) to $23.71/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.64/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Transitioning to the realities of welding employment in St. Charles, part-time welders may find themselves earning significantly less in an annual context compared to their full-time counterparts. Those spending 24 hours a week in the trade may take home roughly $62,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time welders, who average considerably higher in earnings. Per-diem and agency welders often experience a different earning potential, with rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour augmented by daily stipends that can reach $175. Different sectors also influence hourly wages; for instance, underwater welders can earn staggering amounts, sometimes upwards of $1,000 per day depending on conditions and experience. Union positions may provide stability with health benefits, influencing the trade-offs welders face when considering lower hourly rates versus higher pay without benefits. Negotiation is key, especially in St. Charles, where understanding the nuances of employer types—from manufacturing plants to shipyards—can significantly enhance a welder’s leverage in salary discussions.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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