Welder Hourly Pay in Sterling Heights, MI: $25.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Sterling Heights, MI runs $25.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,468 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Sterling Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,485 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly pay for welders in Sterling Heights, Michigan, at $25.23, this rate falls below the national median of $26.87. This difference can impact different types of welders, particularly those working on part-time schedules or on a per-diem basis. For those engaging in three-day work weeks, the earnings can vary widely depending on the type of welding and setting, such as fabrication shop production lines or shipyard hull welding bays. Entry-level positions may earn around $17.58 per hour, whereas seasoned professionals can make up to $38.36 per hour, demonstrating a significant pay scale based on experience and skill level.
About the Sterling Heights 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) | $17.58 | $140.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.20 | $169.63 |
| Median (P50) | $25.23 | $201.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.19 | $233.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.36 | $306.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sterling Heights
Based on $25.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.23/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sterling Heights, MI can expect to earn approximately $52,474 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,274. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sterling Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sterling Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,009.12 | $4,373 | $52,474 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.47 | $2,624 | $31,485 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.65 | $1,749 | $20,990 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Sterling Heights) | $25.23 |
| 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 Sterling Heights, MI earn a median of $52,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.10% above the Michigan state average of $51,389.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.23/hr = $31,485/year (purchasing power: $33,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,474/year (purchasing power: $56,303).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Sterling Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Sterling Heights grew 26.5% from $19.18/hr (2019) to $24.26/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.23/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 Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights
Considering the part-time earning potential, a welder working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could take home about $31,086 annually, a stark contrast to full-time welders earning closer to $52,468 yearly. Per-diem welders may command substantial additional pay; traveling welders often earn between $80 and $175 per day, adding to base rates of $40-$70 per hour. In specialized environments like refinery turnarounds or aerospace manufacturing, rates can exceed standard pay, with skilled operators billing $90-$160 per hour, including equipment costs. However, lower hourly rates might come with health insurance and benefits, prompting some to choose stability over higher pay with no additional perks. As opportunities vary between local sectors — particularly in structural steel fabrication versus oil and gas pipeline work — understanding these dynamics is crucial for welders in Sterling Heights looking to optimize their earning potential and negotiate effectively.
More salary data for Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights. 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 Sterling Heights 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