Welder Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $51,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $51,199/year (≈ $24.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $52,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $51,199, which reflects a competitive standing against the national median of $55,895. The local job market shows a salary range that spans from $39,124 at the 10th percentile to $74,609 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variation based on factors like specialization and experience. Data for these figures has been derived from 2025 BLS state-level assessments, which account for local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. The Arlington Heights market appears to be particularly favorable for pipe welders, who often see higher wages compared to their counterparts in structural and production welding due to the specialized skills and certifications required in the field.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,124 | $18.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,497 | $21.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,199 | $24.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,701 | $29.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,609 | $35.87 |
Median Salary Position
8.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,485 (2026 est.). At $51,199, the local median is 8.4% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Welder Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $51,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,032 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.40% less |
Welders in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $51,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.40% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $52,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,199 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,921
2025 BLS Actual
$49,235
2026 Current Est.
$51,199
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,478 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,829 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,921 (2019) to $49,235 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,321 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,124 – $45,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,497 – $51,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,199 – $60,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,701 – $74,609 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Arlington Heights
With only 18 welders employed in Arlington Heights, the market is relatively small but can offer solid job security given the projected growth rate of 3.99% annually over the next five years. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which influences take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, those in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding tend to pay the most. The substantial difference between high and low salaries can typically be attributed to various factors such as certification levels and the specialty of work, with pipe welders, particularly those with 6G certifications, commanding higher pay. Maximizing earning potential in Arlington Heights involves pursuing advanced certifications, including those recognized by AWS and ASME, seeking out traveling positions to benefit from per-diem rates, and possibly moving into more lucrative specialties like aerospace or nuclear welding, both of which are less common but demand higher premiums.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,235 for weldersin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington 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