Welder Hourly Pay in Rochester Hills, MI: $24.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rochester Hills, MI runs $24.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,059 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rochester Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,641 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Rochester Hills, MI, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $24.55 in 2026. This figure lags behind the national median of $26.87, indicating that local welders may find more competitive pay in other regions of the country. For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-day work week, this rate translates to approximately $942 per week before taxes. The range of pay for welders in the area starts at $17.17 for entry-level positions, while top earners can reach up to $36.18 per hour. These rates are generally reflective of work settings typical for welders, including fabrication shops, pipeline operations, and manufacturing facilities, where a focus on efficiency and production quality is essential.
About the Rochester Hills 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) | $17.17 | $137.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.10 | $176.78 |
| Median (P50) | $24.55 | $196.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.42 | $235.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.18 | $289.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester Hills
Based on $24.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.55/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester Hills, MI can expect to earn approximately $51,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,462. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.08 | $4,256 | $51,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.25 | $2,553 | $30,641 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.83 | $1,702 | $20,427 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rochester Hills) | $24.55 |
| 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 Rochester Hills, MI earn a median of $51,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $51,367.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.55/hr = $30,641/year (purchasing power: $32,877).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,068/year (purchasing power: $54,794).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rochester Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rochester Hills grew 26.5% from $18.66/hr (2019) to $23.61/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.53/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 Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills
Hourly pay dynamics can vary significantly depending on the type of welding and specific employer in Rochester Hills. For those working three days a week, a part-time welder earning $24.55 may take home about $40,509 annually, compared to a full-time associate who could potentially earn around $51,059. Per diem welders, frequently on the move, can command higher daily pay, often totaling $80-$175 on top of their hourly base rates, particularly in sectors like oil and gas. Specialized positions, such as underwater welders or those involved in nuclear maintenance, can push hourly earnings significantly higher—up to $1,000 per day for underwater work. Meanwhile, negotiating pay may involve weighing lower hourly rates against benefits such as health insurance, which could sway decision-making in favor of stable employment over lucrative per diem opportunities. Welders aiming for better overall compensation should also be aware of the various types of employers in the area, from structural steel fabrication to shipyards, each offering different pay scales influenced by the specific demands of the job.
More salary data for Rochester Hills, 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 Rochester Hills. 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 Rochester Hills 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