Welder Hourly Pay in South Milwaukee, WI: $28.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in South Milwaukee, WI runs $28.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,486 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against South Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,092 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Milwaukee, the welder hourly pay stands at a robust $28.12, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $26.87. This competitive rate presents a compelling opportunity for both full-time and part-time workers, particularly those who may choose to work just three days a week. Welders employed in various settings—ranging from fabrication shops to pipeline and refinery work—can expect compensation reflecting their skills, with hourly incomes fluctuating from $21.27 for entry-level positions to as high as $39.39 for experienced professionals. Given that these estimates are derived from annual salary data, they provide a snapshot of potential earnings for welders across diverse job sites in the area.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.27 | $170.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.61 | $196.92 |
| Median (P50) | $28.12 | $224.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.23 | $249.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.39 | $315.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Milwaukee
Based on $28.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.12/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,487 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,743. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,124.76 | $4,874 | $58,487 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.85 | $2,924 | $35,092 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.90 | $1,950 | $23,395 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (South Milwaukee) | $28.12 |
| 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 South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $58,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.64% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,564.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.12/hr = $35,092/year (purchasing power: $37,572).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,487/year (purchasing power: $62,620).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in South Milwaukee grew 26.5% from $21.38/hr (2019) to $27.04/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.24/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 South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee
For those considering part-time opportunities, working 24 hours a week would generate a significant annual income, though it would fall short compared to full-time wages. Per-diem welders, especially those on travel assignments, have lucrative options—often earning between $80 and $175 daily in addition to base rates that can be $40 to $70 per hour. Specialized roles such as refinery turnaround welders and rig owner-operators can command premium pay, with rates escalating depending on the complexity of the job. Moreover, the welding sector in South Milwaukee encompasses a variety of employer types, each offering different pay scales that reflect the specific industry demands, whether it be structural steel fabrication, nuclear maintenance, or shipbuilding. For welders, the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits and jobs that include comprehensive health insurance leads to vital considerations in their career paths, emphasizing the need for practical negotiation skills based on local market conditions.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, 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 South Milwaukee. 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 South Milwaukee 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