Welder Salary in Kankakee, IL: $49,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Kankakee, 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 Kankakee's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $51,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the Kankakee, IL job market, welders can expect a median annual salary of $49,354 in 2026, reflecting local compensation trends. When comparing this figure to the national median of $55,895, Kankakee's welder pay is notably lower. Welders in this city will find their earnings ranging from $37,676 at the lower end to as high as $73,947 for the most skilled and experienced professionals. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates the local economic conditions influencing welding salaries. The disparity in pay illustrates the dynamics of traveling pipe welders earning per-diem and tax advantages compared to those working in local shops where the pay structure can be more static.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,676 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,106 | $20.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,354 | $23.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,928 | $29.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,947 | $35.55 |
Median Salary Position
11.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kankakee
In Kankakee, IL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,271 (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 Kankakee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kankakee Welder Pay Compares
Kankakee median: $49,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kankakee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $52,006 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.70% less |
Welders in Kankakee, 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
Kankakee has a cost of living 3.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kankakee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 96.394 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,354 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,550
2025 BLS Actual
$47,460
2026 Current Est.
$49,354
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,323 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kankakee metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 11.5% from $42,550 (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 $8,773 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kankakee 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) | $37,676 – $42,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,106 – $49,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,354 – $60,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,928 – $73,947 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Kankakee
The job market for welders in Kankakee currently employs around 230 professionals, a fair indication of this sector's vitality in the region. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 96.394, welders may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas. High-paying employers in the region include structural steel fabrication companies and those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding, where specific certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME Section IX can lead to lucrative opportunities. The pay scale varies substantially, influenced by the skill level required and whether workers are engaged in traveling positions with added per-diem benefits or local work. Investing in advanced certifications or gaining specialized skills can significantly enhance earning potential, especially in fields such as aerospace or nuclear welding. Additionally, welders striving for higher compensation might consider exploring the rig worker market, taking into account the substantial investment required for ownership of a specialized welding truck, which can range from $80,000 to $150,000.
More salary data for Kankakee, 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 Kankakee 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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