Welder Hourly Pay in Monroe, MI: $24.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Monroe, MI runs $24.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,926 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Michigan, the projected welder hourly rate is $24.78, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This difference in pay reflects the local economy and can influence part-time and per-diem workers in various welding environments, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards. For those working three days a week, such as on a rotating schedule, earnings can accumulate quickly, though the full-time welder may find more stable income opportunities. In Monroe, starting welders can expect to earn about $17.36 per hour, whereas highly skilled wizards in the field might command wages up to $35.22 per hour, which illustrates a significant earning potential that varies widely based on experience and skill level. This wage data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and can help reshape expectations in the local workforce.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.36 | $138.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.30 | $162.39 |
| Median (P50) | $24.78 | $198.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.45 | $235.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.22 | $281.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $24.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, MI can expect to earn approximately $51,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,737. With a cost-of-living index of 93.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $991.23 | $4,295 | $51,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.74 | $2,577 | $30,926 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.49 | $1,718 | $20,618 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Monroe) | $24.78 |
| 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 Monroe, MI earn a median of $51,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.78% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the Michigan state average of $51,394.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.78/hr = $30,926/year (purchasing power: $33,079).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,544/year (purchasing power: $55,132).
CoL index: 93.492 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Monroe grew 34.9% from $17.66/hr (2019) to $23.83/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.77/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
When examining part-time earnings, a welder working 24 hours a week, at a rate of $24.78/hour, could take home about $30,000 annually before taxes, while full-time welders stand to earn significantly more. Per-diem welders have diverse earning potentials; for example, traveling pipeline welders might earn $40-$70/hr plus daily allowances ranging from $80-$175. During refinery shutdowns, turnaround welders can net $50-$80/hr, with opportunities for double-time on weekends. The landscape of welding jobs in Monroe also fluctuates based on employer type; fabrication shops often pay less than military, aerospace, and underwater welding positions, reflecting the demand for specialized skills like TIG or underwater certifications. Welders should consider the benefits associated with hourly rates as some employers offer lower hourly pay in exchange for better health insurance packages. Successfully negotiating pay often hinges on understanding the local market and what various employers value in skilled welders.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 Monroe. 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