Welder Hourly Pay in Muskegon, MI: $23.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Muskegon, MI runs $23.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,759 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Muskegon's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,862 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muskegon, MI, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $23.93, which is lower than the national average of $26.87. This difference highlights the localized wage trends in the welding sector, where part-time welders—often employed for three days a week—can expect to take home around $1,145 weekly for a 24-hour work schedule. Such hourly pay applies across various settings, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards. The hourly wage range for welders in Muskegon runs from $20.47 for entry-level positions to approximately $29.94 for the more experienced or specialized professionals at the high end, as per the latest BLS data projected for 2026. This reflects both the competitive nature of the job market and the specialized skills welders bring, such as AWS certifications or experiences in critical sectors like nuclear or underwater welding.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.47 | $163.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.86 | $182.86 |
| Median (P50) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.77 | $238.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.94 | $239.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muskegon
Based on $23.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.93/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muskegon, MI can expect to earn approximately $49,770 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,714. With a cost-of-living index of 92.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muskegon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muskegon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $957.12 | $4,148 | $49,770 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.27 | $2,489 | $29,862 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.85 | $1,659 | $19,908 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Muskegon) | $23.93 |
| 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 Muskegon, MI earn a median of $49,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.98% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the Michigan state average of $51,404.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.93/hr = $29,862/year (purchasing power: $32,277).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,770/year (purchasing power: $53,795).
CoL index: 92.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Muskegon grew 9.7% from $20.97/hr (2019) to $23.01/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.88/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 Muskegon 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 Muskegon
For welders who decide to work part-time, the annual income can vary significantly compared to full-time workers. A welder on a 3-day workweek might earn approximately $49,759 annually, a figure that is achievable through a balance of regular hourly work and opportunities for per diem arrangements. Per diem welding roles can greatly enhance earnings, especially for traveling pipe welders who might see base rates of $40-$70 per hour, along with a daily per diem ranging from $80 to $175. High-demand positions during shutdowns at petrochemical facilities can lead welders to earn $50-$80 an hour, with the potential for double-time pay on weekends. Additionally, self-employed mobile welders can bill out at rates between $90-$160 per hour, including equipment costs. Many welders in Muskegon face the trade-off of slightly lower hourly pay at certain companies for the stability of health benefits, making negotiation skills critical in the local market where different employer types offer varying compensation packages. Understanding these dynamics fully can empower welders to secure the best possible pay structures in Muskegon.
More salary data for Muskegon, 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 Muskegon. 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