Welder Hourly Pay in Waukegan, IL: $25.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Waukegan, IL runs $25.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,101 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Waukegan's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,264 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $25.05 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate reflects a wide range of earnings depending on experience and skill level. Beginners in the profession may start at around $17.83 per hour, while experienced welders can earn upwards of $37.37. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, a welder could bring home about $30,000 annually, given the fewer hours worked. Additionally, welders who undertake per-diem assignments or self-employed mobile rig jobs can have varied earnings based on time spent on site and client needs, including work in fabrication shops, shipyards, or on pipeline projects.
About the Waukegan 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) | $17.83 | $142.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.29 | $170.29 |
| Median (P50) | $25.05 | $200.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.27 | $234.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.37 | $298.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukegan
Based on $25.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.05/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukegan, IL can expect to earn approximately $52,106 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,061. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukegan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukegan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,002.05 | $4,342 | $52,106 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $601.23 | $2,605 | $31,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $400.82 | $1,737 | $20,843 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Waukegan) | $25.05 |
| 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 Waukegan, IL earn a median of $52,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.79% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $52,049.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.05/hr = $31,264/year (purchasing power: $32,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,106/year (purchasing power: $53,663).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Waukegan grew 26.5% from $19.04/hr (2019) to $24.09/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.05/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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
When delving into the financial dynamics of welding in Waukegan, the potential for part-time welders is noteworthy. A part-time worker putting in approximately 24 hours a week can earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who regularly benefit from overtime opportunities. Conversely, per diem welders often secure day rates ranging from $80 to $175 in addition to their hourly base pay, which can be between $40 and $70. Specialty positions like those in refinery turnarounds may command higher rates, especially with weekend double-time. Furthermore, working in sectors such as nuclear energy or aerospace may yield profits that balance out the trade-offs of fewer benefits for higher hourly wages. In Waukegan, welders should carefully consider the economic implications of their employment type, factoring in the industry's competitive nature, and actively negotiate based on their skills, especially if they hold certifications like AWS or NCCER qualifications.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 Waukegan. 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 Waukegan 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