Welder Salary in Coralville, IA: $56,642 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Coralville, IA earns a median $56,642/year (≈ $27.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For welders in Coralville, IA, the projected median salary in 2026 is $56,642, which reflects a competitive pay rate compared to national averages, where the median sits at $55,895. The salary range for this profession is diverse, spanning from $42,946 at the 10th percentile to $79,352 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight a market that offers significant variance in compensation based on expertise and job type. Additionally, traveling pipe welders often enjoy the economic advantage of per-diem compensation and tax-advantaged earnings, which can substantially exceed local shop pay. As a result, Coralville's job market in the welding sector remains dynamic, with opportunities for welders to enhance their earnings through specialized skills and working arrangements.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,946 | $20.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,659 | $23.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,642 | $27.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,073 | $30.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,352 | $38.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,406 (2026 est.). At $56,642, the local median is 1.34% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Welder Pay Compares
Coralville median: $56,642/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,561 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +1.34% more |
Welders in Coralville, IA earn a median of $56,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $59,561.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $56,642 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,058
2025 BLS Actual
$54,469
2026 Current Est.
$56,642
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,781 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,176 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,432 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,642 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,058 (2019) to $54,469 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,844 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $42,946 – $49,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,659 – $56,642 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,642 – $63,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,073 – $79,352 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Coralville
The local welding job market is characterized by a modest workforce of just six welders employed in Coralville, indicating a need for skilled labor in the area. With a cost of living index of 90.4, welders may find that their earnings can stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to larger urban areas. The highest-paying opportunities tend to be in sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding, aerospace and defense, and petrochemical turnaround crews. Factors influencing the pay scale include certification levels—where rigorous credentials like the 6G pipe certification and specialized skills in underwater or nuclear welding fetch premium rates—as well as the nature of work, where traveling welders can add significant amounts to their base pay through per-diem. To maximize earning potential in Coralville, welders should seek certifications, consider travel work, and stay informed about local industry trends to secure positions that offer the most lucrative pay rates.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $54,469 for weldersin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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