Welder Salary in DeKalb, IL: $50,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in DeKalb, IL earns a median $50,064/year (≈ $24.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $51,559 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, the 2026 projected welder salary is $50,064, which falls below the national median of $55,895, highlighting a disparity in local compensation. The salary range spans from $39,275 at the 10th percentile to $72,343 at the 90th percentile, indicative of a pay gradient influenced by specialization and experience. In this market, pipe welders, especially those with 6G certifications, often command higher wages compared to their structural or production welding counterparts. These earnings reflect a local economic environment shaped by the specific demands of the industries present in DeKalb, where opportunities for welding jobs largely hinge on both the certification level and the prevalent work types.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,275 | $18.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,047 | $21.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,064 | $24.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,460 | $27.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,343 | $34.78 |
Median Salary Position
10.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,068 (2026 est.). At $50,064, the local median is 10.43% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Welder Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $50,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,041 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.43% less |
Welders in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $50,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $52,041.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,064 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,559 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,058
2025 BLS Actual
$48,143
2026 Current Est.
$50,064
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,106 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,581 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,835 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,058 (2019) to $48,143 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,003 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $39,275 – $45,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,047 – $50,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,064 – $56,460 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,460 – $72,343 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in DeKalb
With only nine welders currently employed in the DeKalb area, the landscape is relatively small, which influences the competitive dynamics of welder pay in DeKalb, IL. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while the salary figures may appear lower than the national average, they may stretch further in daily purchasing power. Employers in sectors such as oil and gas pipeline construction and nuclear power maintenance often offer the most lucrative positions, driving the highest salaries due to skill specialization. The wide pay range is likely a result of certification levels, specialization, and the variability in local versus traveling work scenarios. Welders looking to maximize their income in DeKalb should consider acquiring additional certifications, such as AWS and NQA-1, and exploring opportunities in high-demand sectors, including those requiring extensive travel, which often come with significant per-diem compensation.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 $48,143 for weldersin the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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