Welder Salary in Bartlett, IL: $51,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Bartlett, IL earns a median $51,073/year (≈ $24.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $52,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bartlett, Illinois, the welder salary is estimated at $51,073 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $55,895. This reflects a localized wage dynamic influenced by the smaller job market consisting of only nine employed welders in the area. The salary range for welders in Bartlett spans from $37,538 at the 10th percentile to $69,020 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicate that the average welder pay in Bartlett, IL, is impacted by the prevalence of shop work versus lucrative traveling pipe welding jobs that often include tax-advantaged structures and per-diem benefits. This economy makes it essential for welders in Bartlett to strategize effectively to position themselves competitively in the labor market.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,538 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,089 | $21.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,073 | $24.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,804 | $28.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,020 | $33.18 |
Median Salary Position
8.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,482 (2026 est.). At $51,073, the local median is 8.63% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bartlett Welder Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $51,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,009 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.63% less |
Welders in Bartlett, IL earn a median of $51,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.63% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $52,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett 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.
Bartlett, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,073 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,598 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,824
2025 BLS Actual
$49,113
2026 Current Est.
$51,073
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,286 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,824 (2019) to $49,113 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,286 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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) | $37,538 – $44,089 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,089 – $51,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,073 – $58,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,804 – $69,020 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Bartlett
Job prospects for welders in Bartlett are framed by a cost-of-living index of 97.1, suggesting that the local housing and living expenses are below the national average. This scenario gives welders a reasonable level of purchasing power with their earnings, even among the more modest salary figures. As for employers, structural steel fabrication and local manufacturing plants tend to be the primary sources of welder pay in the area. However, those with qualifications in high-demand specialties, such as 6G pipe welding or ASME IX certification, can venture into higher earnings through independent contracting or traveling roles—these can provide significant income, sometimes yielding an additional 30-50% through per-diem arrangements. To maximize pay in the Bartlett market, welders should focus on enhancing their certifications and considering opportunities that involve traveling work, as the variance in income due to specialty certifications makes a significant difference in potential earnings.
More salary data for Bartlett, 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 $49,113 for weldersin the Bartlett 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 Bartlett 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