Welder Salary in Iowa City, IA: $60,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Iowa City, IA earns a median $60,085/year (≈ $28.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $60,085 in 2026, welders in Iowa City can expect compensation that is notably above the national average of $55,895. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lower tenth percentile starting at $48,335 and the upper ninetieth percentile reaching $78,429. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, illustrating a competitive job market for skilled welders in the region. Given that the cost of living index in Iowa City is lower than the national average, aspiring professionals may find the area appealing for a career in welding, especially when considering the potential return on equipment investment and rig welder ownership.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,335 | $23.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,622 | $24.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,085 | $28.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,625 | $32.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,429 | $37.71 |
Median Salary Position
7.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,094 (2026 est.). At $60,085, the local median is 7.5% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Welder Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $60,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,549 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +7.50% more |
Welders in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $60,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% above the Iowa state average of $59,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $60,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,840
2025 BLS Actual
$57,780
2026 Current Est.
$60,085
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 38.1% from $41,840 (2019) to $57,780 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,643 (49.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $48,335 – $50,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,622 – $60,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,085 – $67,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,625 – $78,429 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Iowa City
In Iowa City, the demand for welders is evidenced by the employment of approximately 130 professionals in this sector. The relatively low cost of living index of 91.509 enhances take-home pay, providing a sense of financial relief compared to other locations. Among local employers, structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline companies, and manufacturing plants are known to offer competitive pay for qualified welders. The disparity in wages can often be attributed to a combination of factors, such as certifications like the 6G and ASME IX, specialization in niche industries, and whether welders are self-employed. For those looking to maximize their salary in this market, building certifications, taking on traveling work for added per-diem income, and considering ownership of welding rigs can significantly enhance earnings potential—especially as the industry faces an aging workforce and demand continues to rise.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
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 $57,780 for weldersin the Iowa City 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