Welder Hourly Pay in Kalamazoo, MI: $23.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kalamazoo, MI runs $23.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,458 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kalamazoo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.8, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,681 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $23.78, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This difference can impact various employment scenarios in the area, particularly for those working part-time or as per-diem welders. For individuals seeking flexible schedules, such as those working three days a week, the reduced hourly rate still presents a viable option, particularly in diverse settings like fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and manufacturing plants. The hourly wages for welders in Kalamazoo range from $20.50 at the 10th percentile to $31.28 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various skill levels, certifications like AWS, and job complexities involved across different sectors. This data is derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, projected to 2026.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.50 | $163.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.06 | $184.52 |
| Median (P50) | $23.78 | $190.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.05 | $224.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.28 | $250.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalamazoo
Based on $23.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalamazoo, MI can expect to earn approximately $49,468 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,539. With a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalamazoo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalamazoo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $951.30 | $4,122 | $49,468 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $570.78 | $2,473 | $29,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.52 | $1,649 | $19,787 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kalamazoo) | $23.78 |
| 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 Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $49,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.52% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the Michigan state average of $51,411.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.78/hr = $29,681/year (purchasing power: $31,295).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,468/year (purchasing power: $52,159).
CoL index: 94.84 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kalamazoo grew 18.6% from $19.29/hr (2019) to $22.87/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.73/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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo
While the standard hourly rate provides a baseline for expected earnings, part-time welders in Kalamazoo can earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts over the course of a year. A welder working 24 hours in a week may take home approximately $29,900 annually, quite a contrast to the earnings of full-time welders. For those in traveling roles, per diem welder pay in Kalamazoo can range from $80 to $175 daily, depending on the assignment, with base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. Other high-demand positions, such as refinery turnaround welders, may offer $50 to $80 per hour with premium rates for weekend work. Moreover, employer types greatly influence wage rates; welders working in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas, and specialized fields like underwater welding or nuclear maintenance often find higher pay. Some welders may choose positions with lower hourly pay for the benefit of health insurance, while others may pursue opportunities as owner-operators to reap higher hourly income through self-employment. Negotiation for hourly rates in Kalamazoo requires a clear understanding of the local market and industry demands, focusing on skill certifications and the types of projects one is qualified to undertake.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo. 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