Welder Hourly Pay in Jackson, MI: $24.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Jackson, MI runs $24.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,777 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,069 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Michigan, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $24.90, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. For welders, this pay structure translates into a significant impact for those who may work part-time, such as three-day weekly schedules, as well as per-diem positions common in various settings, including fabrication shops and construction sites. The hourly range reflects the journey from entry-level positions at around $19.35 to seasoned professionals earning upwards of $46.57. This variance is shaped by factors like skill level, certification, and the specific nature of the job, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which showcases the typical earnings for welders in this city.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.35 | $154.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.79 | $182.36 |
| Median (P50) | $24.90 | $199.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.93 | $239.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.57 | $372.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $24.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.90/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, MI can expect to earn approximately $51,782 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,874. With a cost-of-living index of 91.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $995.81 | $4,315 | $51,782 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $597.48 | $2,589 | $31,069 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.32 | $1,726 | $20,713 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Jackson) | $24.90 |
| 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 Jackson, MI earn a median of $51,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% above the Michigan state average of $51,417.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.90/hr = $31,069/year (purchasing power: $33,852).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,782/year (purchasing power: $56,420).
CoL index: 91.779 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Jackson grew 39.1% from $17.21/hr (2019) to $23.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.89/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Looking at part-time earning potential, a welder working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $31,038 annually, substantially less than a full-time worker's potential. Per-diem opportunities offer a different earning outlook for welders, with pipe welders often receiving base rates of $40-$70 per hour, augmented by daily allowances of $80-$175 for travel expenses. In higher-stakes roles such as refinery turnaround welding or underwater welding, earnings can soar, with rates of up to $1,000 per day for divers. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on the employer’s industry in Jackson, such as comparing structural steel fabrication with high-demand sectors like aerospace or nuclear power. Welders may find a trade-off between higher wages without benefits versus stability with health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay effectively is key; knowing local market rates and the specifics of each role will empower welders to secure better compensation within Jackson's varied welding landscape.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 Jackson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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