Welder Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $50,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $50,297/year (≈ $24.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $51,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, the welder salary landscape presents opportunities dominated by specialized welding roles, especially in pipe welding. With a projected median annual salary of $50,297 for 2026, welders in this area may expect a salary range from $37,025 at the lower 10th percentile to $71,532 at the top 90th percentile. These figures, informed by regional price adjustments and BLS state-level data, suggest a competitive market where skills and certifications significantly impact earning potential. Des Plaines's local economy appears beneficial for experienced welders, especially those with advanced credentials in areas such as nuclear and underwater welding, where demand continues to rise due to an aging workforce and industry shortages.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,025 | $17.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,536 | $20.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,297 | $24.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,573 | $28.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,532 | $34.39 |
Median Salary Position
10.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,507 (2026 est.). At $50,297, the local median is 10.02% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Welder Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $50,297/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,013 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.02% less |
Welders in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $50,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.02% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $52,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,297 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,235
2025 BLS Actual
$48,367
2026 Current Est.
$50,297
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,235 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,779 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,235 (2019) to $48,367 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,069 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $37,025 – $42,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,536 – $50,297 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,297 – $58,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,573 – $71,532 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Des Plaines
Job prospects for welders in Des Plaines are relatively strong, with about 12 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating a slightly lower than average cost of living, which enhances the purchasing power of welders' salaries. Employers in sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding and aerospace can command higher wages compared to structural steel fabrication or production welding. The notable disparity between low-and high-end salaries is influenced by factors such as certification levels, specialty training, and whether welders engage in traveling work, which offers added per-diem compensation. Welders looking to maximize their pay in this market should consider pursuing advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualification and targeting industries experiencing rapid growth, such as nuclear power maintenance and petrochemical refinery turnarounds.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $48,367 for weldersin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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