Welder Hourly Pay in Fond du Lac, WI: $30.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fond du Lac, WI runs $30.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,361 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fond du Lac's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,012 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $30.46, significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This rate provides a solid income for part-time welders, who may work three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules and additional pursuits outside of welding. With a range that spans from $24.17 at the entry level to $35.35 for top earners, the welder hourly pay in Fond du Lac reflects competitive compensation in various workplaces, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing facilities. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this hourly rate is indicative of the demand for skilled welders in the region, where the workforce is increasingly sought after to meet growing industry needs.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.17 | $193.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.59 | $196.75 |
| Median (P50) | $30.46 | $243.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.05 | $256.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.35 | $282.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fond du Lac
Based on $30.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.46/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fond du Lac, WI can expect to earn approximately $63,354 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,550. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fond du Lac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fond du Lac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,218.35 | $5,280 | $63,354 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.01 | $3,168 | $38,012 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.34 | $2,112 | $25,342 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fond du Lac) | $30.46 |
| 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 Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $63,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,575.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.46/hr = $38,012/year (purchasing power: $41,479).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,354/year (purchasing power: $69,131).
CoL index: 91.643 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fond du Lac grew 31.2% from $22.33/hr (2019) to $29.29/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.67/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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
Considering part-time welders working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can add up to approximately $37,614, a notable income but starkly lower than full-time counterparts. Many welders find opportunities in per-diem roles, where rates can significantly boost earnings; for instance, traveling pipe welders may receive $80-$175 per day in addition to hourly wages ranging from $40-$70. During shutdowns, refinery turnaround welders earn $50-$80 per hour plus potential double-time for weekend shifts. Different employment settings in Fond du Lac, from structural steel fabrication to aerospace sectors, often produce various pay scales. While some welders opt for higher rates that don't include benefits, others may prioritize jobs offering health insurance, finding practical ways to negotiate pay based on their unique skills, such as the sought-after 6G certification for pipe welding.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
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 Fond du Lac. 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