Welder Hourly Pay in Lansing, MI: $25.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lansing, MI runs $25.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,380 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.0, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,433 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lansing, MI, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $25.19, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate positions welders favorably for part-time work; for instance, those working three days a week can expect a steady income while maintaining flexibility. Typical environments for welders in the region include fabrication shop production lines and pipeline trench welding, where entry-level positions can start at around $20.30 per hour, while seasoned professionals may earn upwards of $37.04 per hour, depending on their expertise and certification levels. Official BLS OEWS data indicates that the pay range for welders in Lansing reflects the growing demand in the trade, particularly for certified welders engaged in specialized tasks like 6G pipe welding.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.30 | $162.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.77 | $190.18 |
| Median (P50) | $25.19 | $201.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.24 | $241.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.04 | $296.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lansing
Based on $25.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.19/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $52,388 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,224. With a cost-of-living index of 94.99 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,007.46 | $4,366 | $52,388 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $604.47 | $2,619 | $31,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.98 | $1,746 | $20,955 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lansing) | $25.19 |
| 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 Lansing, MI earn a median of $52,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.29% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% above the Michigan state average of $51,403.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.19/hr = $31,433/year (purchasing power: $33,090).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,388/year (purchasing power: $55,150).
CoL index: 94.991 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lansing grew 18.1% from $20.51/hr (2019) to $24.22/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.19/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 Lansing 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 Lansing
Considering the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, a welder operating on a 24-hour workweek can expect to earn around $31,270 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. However, many welders seeking higher earnings often explore per diem work, especially crucial during refinery turnarounds or in specialized fields. For instance, traveling pipe welders may find themselves earning between $40 and $70 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175. In turnarounds, welders might see hourly rates spike to as much as $80 or even double-time on weekends. The varying hourly rates across Lansing’s industrial landscape create diverse earning potentials, with those employed in oil and gas pipeline projects typically earning higher rates than those in manufacturing. For successful negotiation of hourly rates, welders should consider the benefits available with different employment types, as some opt for stable positions with health benefits rather than higher wages in freelance capacities.
More salary data for Lansing, 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 Lansing. 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