Welder Salary in Belleville, IL: $49,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Belleville, IL earns a median $49,624/year (≈ $23.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $51,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, the welder salary stands at a projected $49,624 for 2026, which is notably below the national median of $55,895. Welders in this region can expect a salary range that starts at $38,216 (P10) and extends up to $68,988 (P90), reflecting the varying levels of expertise and specialization within the field. While the local data, derived from 2025 BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional costs, paints a clear picture, the economic structure of travel-based pipe welding often attracts workers due to its lucrative per-diem and tax-advantaged compensation avenues. This competition creates a challenging dynamic for local shop pay rates, underscoring the mixed opportunities within Belleville's job market for welders.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,216 | $18.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,125 | $21.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,624 | $23.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,988 | $33.16 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,772 (2026 est.). At $49,624, the local median is 11.22% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville Welder Pay Compares
Belleville median: $49,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,017 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.22% less |
Welders in Belleville, IL earn a median of $49,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $52,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville 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.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,723
2025 BLS Actual
$47,720
2026 Current Est.
$49,624
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,723 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,207 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,723 (2019) to $47,720 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,881 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $38,216 – $44,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,125 – $49,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,624 – $57,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,390 – $68,988 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Belleville
The local job market for welders in Belleville reveals only 10 employed individuals, which indicates a niche demand for specialized skills and an opportunity for those seeking to enter this field. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, welders can find their purchasing power impacted, meaning local wages may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Among local employers, those in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding tend to offer the highest salaries. Factors such as certification levels, specialty areas (like underwater or nuclear welding), and the dynamics of traveling versus local work contribute to the observable wage spread. For welders looking to maximize their earning potential in Belleville, pursuing specialized certifications, such as 6G pipe or ASME IX, and considering opportunities in high-demand sectors like petrochemical turnaround crews or traveling positions could significantly enhance financial outcomes.
More salary data for Belleville, 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 $47,720 for weldersin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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