Welder Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $24.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wheeling, IL runs $24.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,787 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,472 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Wheeling, IL, can anticipate a median hourly pay of approximately $24.42 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $26.87, reflecting regional economic conditions and demand in the welding industry. For part-time welders, especially those working three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to substantial paychecks, translating to about $1,000 monthly based on a typical 24-hour schedule. Per-diem welders, common in sectors such as pipeline welding or shipbuilding, can earn significantly more when factoring in daily allowances, making their overall compensation more lucrative than the standard hourly wage might suggest. The hourly pay in Wheeling ranges from $18.97 for entry-level positions to $35.03 for experienced workers, indicating that specialization and certification level greatly influence earnings in various work settings such as fabrication shops or manufacturing cells.
About the Wheeling 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) | $18.97 | $151.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.86 | $174.87 |
| Median (P50) | $24.42 | $195.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.89 | $231.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.03 | $280.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $24.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.42/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $50,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,300. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $976.67 | $4,232 | $50,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $586.00 | $2,539 | $30,472 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.67 | $1,693 | $20,315 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wheeling) | $24.42 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $50,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.14% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $52,035.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.42/hr = $30,472/year (purchasing power: $31,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,787/year (purchasing power: $52,304).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wheeling grew 26.5% from $18.56/hr (2019) to $23.48/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.39/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Analyzing the financial landscape for welders reveals interesting trends in part-time and per-diem work. A welder working part-time at $24.42/hour earns approximately $31,650 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. However, this is appealing for those balancing other commitments or wishing to avoid the rigors of a full-time role. On the other hand, per diem welders can augment their income with daily allowances often reaching between $80-$175. Those involved in high-stakes environments, like turnaround projects at refineries, can command between $50-$80/hour, with double-time rates on weekends providing a substantial boost. Variations also occur depending on the employer type, with firms in pipeline construction or shipyards potentially offering higher pay rates. Welders must consider factors such as benefits when negotiating pay; often, positions that offer higher hourly rates might lack health insurance, compelling welders to balance immediate compensation with long-term security. For those in Wheeling, practical negotiation involves weighing these variables carefully to secure compensation aligned with their skills and market demands.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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