Welder Salary in Chicago, IL: $54,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Chicago, IL earns a median $54,751/year (≈ $26.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $52,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the projected welder salary in 2026 reaches an annual median of $54,751, slightly below the national average of $55,895. Welders in this area can anticipate earnings within a range from $40,691 at the 10th percentile to as high as $77,421 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a competitive compensation landscape that can fluctuate significantly based on specialization and employment structure. While local shop jobs provide steady income, traveling pipe welders often benefit from a favorable per-diem and tax-advantaged compensation model, presenting an attractive alternative for those willing to work outside the Chicago area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,691 | $19.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,116 | $23.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,751 | $26.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,214 | $30.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,421 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,730 (2026 est.). At $54,751, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Welder Pay Compares
Chicago median: $54,751/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,044 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -2.05% less |
Welders in Chicago, IL earn a median of $54,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.20% above the Illinois state average of $52,044.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,751 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,851 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,180
2025 BLS Actual
$52,650
2026 Current Est.
$54,751
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 21.9% from $43,180 (2019) to $52,650 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,755 (31.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $40,691 – $48,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,116 – $54,751 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,751 – $64,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,214 – $77,421 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Chicago
As of now, approximately 9,320 welders are actively employed in the Chicago market, which is bolstered by a robust local demand despite a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 103.595. This elevated cost of living can impact take-home purchasing power, making it crucial for welders to seek positions in industries that typically offer higher pay. Among these are structural steel fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and aerospace sectors, where certifications such as the 6G pipe and ASME IX can significantly enhance earning potential. The variation in welder pay in Chicago is driven by factors such as skill set, specialty, and the balance between local and traveling work, where the latter can provide substantial per-diem benefits. Welders looking to maximize their earnings should focus on obtaining advanced certifications, seeking employment in high-demand sectors, and considering traveling opportunities which can leverage the economic benefits of per-diem compensation.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $52,650 for weldersin the Chicago 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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