Welder Salary in Gurnee, IL: $51,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Gurnee, IL earns a median $51,271/year (≈ $24.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $52,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the projected welder salary in Gurnee, Illinois, is set at $51,271, placing it notably below the national median of $55,895. With salaries ranging from $38,017 at the 10th percentile to $69,678 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect the local market’s dynamics influenced by both the cost of living in the area and the demand for welding services. Gurnee’s welding economy can be particularly challenging for those seeking work in just local shops; many welders may find more lucrative opportunities as traveling pipe welders, where additional per-diem pay and tax advantages can significantly enhance earnings. Understanding the economic landscape of the area is vital for job seekers aiming for competitive compensation.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,017 | $18.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,505 | $21.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,271 | $24.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,166 | $27.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,678 | $33.50 |
Median Salary Position
8.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,661 (2026 est.). At $51,271, the local median is 8.27% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Welder Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $51,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,052 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.27% less |
Welders in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $51,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.27% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $52,052.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,975
2025 BLS Actual
$49,304
2026 Current Est.
$51,271
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,975 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,304 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,317 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,975 (2019) to $49,304 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,342 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $38,017 – $44,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,505 – $51,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,271 – $58,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,166 – $69,678 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Gurnee
With only eight welders currently employed in Gurnee, the job market is relatively small, emphasizing the necessity for specialized skills and certifications to command higher pay. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, which provides some advantage for welders as purchasing power is slightly better than in higher-cost locations. Employers in Gurnee that pay the most include structural steel shops and those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding, where higher demand can often translate to better wages. A welder's pay can vary greatly based on certifications, specialization in areas like underwater or nuclear welding, and the structure of employment, whether unionized or otherwise. For welders looking to enhance their earning potential in Gurnee, obtaining advanced certifications (such as 6G pipe welding) and exploring traveling opportunities can be key strategies in this competitive market.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Gurnee, IL in 2026?
Is Gurnee, IL a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Gurnee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Gurnee?
How much does a welder make per hour in Gurnee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $49,304 for weldersin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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