Welder Salary in Joliet, IL: $51,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Joliet, IL earns a median $51,691/year (≈ $24.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $53,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Joliet, Illinois, are expected to see a median annual salary of $51,691, which falls 7.52% below the national average of $55,895. Welders in the area can anticipate a salary range stretching from $37,889 at the 10th percentile to $75,744 at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. Traveling pipe welders can significantly enhance their earnings with per-diem bonuses and tax advantages that local shop pay cannot compete with. This dynamic creates a competitive environment in Joliet's job market, pushing welders to evaluate various employment avenues based on their expertise and mobility.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,889 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,847 | $21.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,691 | $24.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,247 | $29.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,744 | $36.42 |
Median Salary Position
7.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,855 (2026 est.). At $51,691, the local median is 7.52% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Welder Pay Compares
Joliet median: $51,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,003 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.52% less |
Welders in Joliet, IL earn a median of $51,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.52% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $52,003.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,295
2025 BLS Actual
$49,708
2026 Current Est.
$51,691
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,295 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,867 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,965 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,295 (2019) to $49,708 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,459 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $37,889 – $44,847 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,847 – $51,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,691 – $61,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,247 – $75,744 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Joliet
The local welding job market reflects a steady demand, with approximately 25 welders currently employed in Joliet. The cost of living index for this region stands at 97.1, indicating a slightly lower-than-average cost of living, which positively influences the purchasing power of welders' salaries. Employers that typically offer better compensation include structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline welding companies, and those involved in manufacturing and aerospace defense. Factors such as certification levels, specialization in complex processes like underwater or nuclear welding, and the volatile nature of the oil and gas sector significantly influence income disparities. Aspiring welders can maximize their pay by pursuing advanced certifications, engaging in traveling work, and staying aware of market fluctuations driven by regional economic factors.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $49,708 for weldersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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