Welder Salary in Galesburg, IL: $49,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Galesburg, IL earns a median $49,354/year (≈ $23.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $50,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, the welder salary in Galesburg is projected to reach a median annual figure of $49,354 in 2026. This amount sits notably below the national median of $55,895, indicating an approximately 11.70% wage gap for local welders. The salary range for welders in the area spans from $37,572 at the bottom 10% of earners to an impressive $69,969 for those at the top percentage. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost living in Galesburg, a city where investment in equipment and the pathway to rig welder ownership can greatly influence hourly rates and earning potential. The job market here may be small, with only four welders employed, but it remains crucial for those considering their career advancements in the welding trade.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,572 | $18.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,562 | $20.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,354 | $23.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,754 | $27.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,969 | $33.64 |
Median Salary Position
11.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,397 (2026 est.). At $49,354, the local median is 11.7% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Welder Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $49,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,006 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.70% less |
Welders in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $49,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.70% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $52,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,354 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,828 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,518
2025 BLS Actual
$47,460
2026 Current Est.
$49,354
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,518 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,019 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,977 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,213 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,424 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,323 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,518 (2019) to $47,460 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,323 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,805 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $37,572 – $43,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,562 – $49,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,354 – $57,754 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,754 – $69,969 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Galesburg
In analyzing the local job environment, the cost of living index stands at 97.1, meaning that wages can stretch a bit further than in higher-cost urban areas. This reality impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for welders in Galesburg. Employers that offer the highest compensation within the region include structural steel fabrication shops and companies involved in oil and gas pipeline welding, especially for traveling positions that can include attractive per-diem boosts. The variance in pay levels is largely driven by factors such as certification (including the highly regarded 6G pipe certification), area of specialty, and the demand fluctuations tied to the oil and gas industry cycles. Welders looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing specialized skills and certifications, particularly in high-demand areas like nuclear or aerospace welding, to greatly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $47,460 for weldersin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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