Welder Salary in Carbondale, IL: $48,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Carbondale, IL earns a median $48,731/year (≈ $23.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $50,186 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Carbondale, Illinois, earn a median annual salary of $48,731, significantly lower than the national median of $55,895. The local salary range extends from $39,761 at the 10th percentile to $66,853 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied opportunities within the trade. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost disparities. Given the economic dynamics of the region, welders engaged in traveling work, particularly on large projects like oil and gas pipelines or shipyards, can often command higher rates, with per-diem arrangements adding to their total compensation, showcasing the potential for earnings that outpace local shop wages.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,761 | $19.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,818 | $21.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,731 | $23.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,186 | $27.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,853 | $32.14 |
Median Salary Position
12.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,092 (2026 est.). At $48,731, the local median is 12.82% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carbondale Welder Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $48,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,007 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.82% less |
Welders in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $48,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.82% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $52,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale 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.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,731 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,186 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,820
2025 BLS Actual
$46,861
2026 Current Est.
$48,731
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 12.1% from $41,820 (2019) to $46,861 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,855 (21.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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) | $39,761 – $44,818 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,818 – $48,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,731 – $56,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,186 – $66,853 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Carbondale
Despite the competitive figures for traveling welders, the job market in Carbondale is modest, with only five welders currently employed in the area. The cost of living in Carbondale, represented by a cost-of-living index of 97.1, offers a favorable environment for take-home pay, although it still indicates a slight economic pinch compared to national averages. Employers in areas like structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding tend to offer better pay rates within the local market. Factors influencing the pay variance include the level of certification, specialty skills, and whether welders are based locally or on traveling assignments, with specialties such as underwater welding or nuclear certification often bringing premium rates. To maximize income, welders in Carbondale should pursue relevant certifications and consider opportunities in traveling positions or roles with specialized demands, aligning their skills with the income potential prevalent in nearby high-demand regions.
More salary data for Carbondale, 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 $46,861 for weldersin the Carbondale 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 Carbondale 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