Welder Hourly Pay in Auburn Hills, MI: $24.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Auburn Hills, MI runs $24.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,179 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Auburn Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,109 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Auburn Hills, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $24.13 in 2026, which is approximately 10.23% lower than the national median of $26.87. This rate creates viable opportunities for both full-time and part-time welders, especially those looking to work as per-diem professionals in fabrication shops, pipeline stations, and manufacturing plants. For instance, a part-time welder working three days a week would take home around $24.13 per hour, amounting to significant earnings over a year, especially when factoring in the comprehensive scope of environments like shipyards and nuclear plants. Entry-level positions in Auburn Hills may start around $17.51, while highly experienced welders can earn up to $34.69 per hour, allowing flexibility in negotiating pay based on skills and certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification.
About the Auburn Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.51 | $140.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.66 | $165.30 |
| Median (P50) | $24.13 | $193.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.52 | $228.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.69 | $277.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn Hills
Based on $24.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.13/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn Hills, MI can expect to earn approximately $50,181 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,951. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $965.03 | $4,182 | $50,181 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.02 | $2,509 | $30,109 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.01 | $1,673 | $20,073 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Auburn Hills) | $24.13 |
| 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 Auburn Hills, MI earn a median of $50,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $51,413.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.13/hr = $30,109/year (purchasing power: $32,306).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,181/year (purchasing power: $53,843).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Auburn Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Auburn Hills grew 26.5% from $18.34/hr (2019) to $23.20/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.09/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 Auburn Hills 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 Auburn Hills
The earning potential for welders who choose to work part-time can vary widely depending on their work schedule and the type of positions they secure. A part-time welder operating three days a week would accumulate approximately $30,307 annually, which differs notably from full-time counterparts who could experience a more lucrative salary based on full-time hours. Welders engaged in per-diem work have even greater earning potential, often receiving base rates between $40 and $70 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem ranging from $80 to $175. Specialty roles such as underwater welders can yield earnings that skyrocket to $1,000 to $3,000 per day, reflecting the high-risk environment they operate in. Additionally, hourly pay can fluctuate across different types of employers, from low to high-end fabrication shops and among those who are self-employed. It's essential for welders in Auburn Hills to evaluate not just the pay rate, but also the benefits associated with their employment, as union gigs may offer better health coverage compared to higher hourly rates from non-union work. Understanding these aspects allows welders to successfully negotiate their compensation and make informed career choices in this competitive industry.
More salary data for Auburn Hills, MI:
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 Auburn Hills. 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 Auburn Hills 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