Welder Hourly Pay in Portage, MI: $23.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Portage, MI runs $23.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,221 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,928 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Portage, Michigan, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.18, which is notably 13.73% lower than the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This wage within the local fabrication shops and construction sites reflects the unique industrial landscape in Portage. Those working part-time, for example, at three days a week (approximately 24 hours), can anticipate an income of around $2,795 monthly, which can supplement other income sources or align with flexible lifestyles. The hourly rates span a range from $17.53 for entry-level positions to $32.67 for top earners, allowing for a diverse workforce in various settings, including pipeline welding stations and manufacturing production cells. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data, offering strong insights into the potential earnings available for both new entrants and seasoned professionals in the region.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.53 | $140.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.38 | $163.06 |
| Median (P50) | $23.18 | $185.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.08 | $216.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.67 | $261.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $23.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.18/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, MI can expect to earn approximately $48,213 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,815. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.17 | $4,018 | $48,213 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.30 | $2,411 | $28,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.87 | $1,607 | $19,285 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Portage) | $23.18 |
| 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 Portage, MI earn a median of $48,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.73% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.20% below the Michigan state average of $51,409.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.18/hr = $28,928/year (purchasing power: $31,038).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,213/year (purchasing power: $51,731).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Portage grew 26.5% from $17.62/hr (2019) to $22.29/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.10/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 Portage 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 Portage
When considering the broader aspects of welder compensation, part-time welders in Portage can earn significantly less than those working full-time, highlighting a disparity in financial stability. For example, full-time welders may earn upwards of $48,221 annually, while part-timers will net less despite working only slightly fewer hours. Furthermore, per diem pay is very much a reality for welders taking on travel assignments; traveling pipe welders can earn $40-$70/hour, plus per diem rates that range from $80 to $175 daily, depending on the job's location and duration. In special cases like refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, rates can soar to $1,000-$3,000 per day, emphasizing the role of certification and specialization in determining pay scales. Diverse employer types like structural steel fabrication shops, shipyards, and self-employed mobile welding setups significantly influence hourly rates, and welders must weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly wages devoid of such perks. Negotiating hourly rates effectively is crucial within Portage’s competitive market, where accepting a slightly lower rate might come with better overall compensation packages.
More salary data for Portage, 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 Portage. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portage is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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