Welder Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $28.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kenosha, WI runs $28.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,085 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,053 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kenosha, Wisconsin, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $28.89 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. For part-time welders working three days a week, this rate translates to approximately $43,300 per year, allowing for a good standard of living, particularly in various industrial settings such as fabrication shops, shipyards, and pipeline welding. The hourly pay for welders in the area varies significantly, ranging from $23.93 at the 10th percentile to $34.30 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide spectrum of experience and specialization, from entry-level positions to highly skilled roles that demand certifications like the 6G pipe qualification. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimate speaks to the competitive nature of the industry, especially in a region where skilled welders are in high demand.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.34 | $202.74 |
| Median (P50) | $28.89 | $231.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.64 | $245.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.30 | $274.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $28.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.89/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $60,088 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,666. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,155.54 | $5,007 | $60,088 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.32 | $3,004 | $36,053 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.21 | $2,003 | $24,035 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kenosha) | $28.89 |
| 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 Kenosha, WI earn a median of $60,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,563.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.89/hr = $36,053/year (purchasing power: $35,654).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,088/year (purchasing power: $59,424).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kenosha grew 26.5% from $21.96/hr (2019) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.04/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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
When considering the part-time perspective, a welder working 24 hours a week takes home about $43,300 annually, which may appeal to those balancing other commitments. For welders considering per-diem or agency work, they can expect to earn between $40-$70 per hour, with additional daily rates ranging from $80-$175 based on travel requirements. For instance, refinery turnaround welders during peak outages can command $50-$80 per hour, often doubling their earnings on weekends. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer types across Kenosha; for instance, structural steel fabricators and nuclear power maintenance crews tend to pay competitive wages, while more specialized fields like underwater welding may bring in significantly higher amounts, reaching $1,000-$3,000 per day. Many welders must weigh the trade-offs between hourly rate and benefits; those opting for lower pay might prefer jobs offering health insurance, while those in self-employment can negotiate higher fees due to their independent statuses. Effective negotiation skills, particularly for hourly workers in Kenosha, are essential given the local market dynamics and company standards.
More salary data for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha. 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, 2-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