Welder Salary in Decatur, IL: $59,971 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Decatur, IL earns a median $59,971/year (≈ $28.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $67,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welding professionals in Decatur, Illinois, can expect to see a median salary of $59,971 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $48,896 and experienced welders reaching up to $68,841. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reveal a market that values pipe welding skills the most, particularly for those holding advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualifier. Structural and production welders generally follow in pay scale, reflecting the technical expertise required in different welding sectors. Given the city's industrial focus, where demand for skilled labor continues to rise, justifying a career in welding seems sound for both new entrants and seasoned professionals looking to thrive in Decatur's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,896 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,789 | $24.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,971 | $28.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,264 | $31.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,841 | $33.10 |
Median Salary Position
7.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,945 (2026 est.). At $59,971, the local median is 7.29% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be above the median
How Decatur Welder Pay Compares
Decatur median: $59,971/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,013 | +15.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +7.29% more |
Welders in Decatur, IL earn a median of $59,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.29% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 15.30% above the Illinois state average of $52,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,971 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,824 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,770
2025 BLS Actual
$57,670
2026 Current Est.
$59,971
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,971 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 31.8% from $43,770 (2019) to $57,670 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,594 (42.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $48,896 – $50,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,789 – $59,971 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,971 – $65,264 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,264 – $68,841 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Decatur
In Decatur, the local job market is characterized by approximately 200 welders currently employed, underscoring a stable demand for skilled workers. With a cost of living index of 88.422, welders find that their take-home pay goes further than in many other markets, enhancing purchasing power. Employers in the area that tend to offer the highest wages include structural steel fabrication shops and companies focused on pipeline welding, particularly those servicing the oil and gas sector. The pay gradient is influenced by several factors such as certification levels, specialization, and type of work—where 6G pipe and underwater certifications command significant premiums, while travel work can provide additional per diem benefits. For welders considering maximizing their earning potential in Decatur, obtaining specialized certifications, seeking mobile welding opportunities, or aligning with employers in high-demand sectors can lead to substantial increases in compensation.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $57,670 for weldersin the Decatur 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