Welder Salary in Johnston, IA: $55,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Johnston, IA earns a median $55,272/year (≈ $26.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the projected median annual welder salary in 2026 is $55,272, which sits slightly below the national median of $55,895. The pay range for welders in this locality spans from $44,308 at the lower tenth percentile to $76,783 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that the market is potentially favorable for specialized welding positions, particularly in pipefitting or structural welding roles. Johnston's job market is characterized by a diverse combination of manufacturing, pipeline construction, and occasional traveling work opportunities, which significantly influence earnings potential.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,308 | $21.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,204 | $24.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,272 | $26.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,360 | $30.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,783 | $36.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,475 (2026 est.). At $55,272, the local median is 1.11% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Welder Pay Compares
Johnston median: $55,272/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,560 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -1.11% less |
Welders in Johnston, IA earn a median of $55,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $59,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $55,272 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,142 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,016
2025 BLS Actual
$53,151
2026 Current Est.
$55,272
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,016 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $42,016 (2019) to $53,151 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,461 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $44,308 – $50,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,204 – $55,272 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,272 – $64,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,360 – $76,783 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Johnston
The local welder labor pool is relatively small, with only four welders currently employed in Johnston, IA. The cost-of-living index in the area is measured at 90.4, suggesting that welders can have a relatively better purchasing power than in areas with a higher living cost. Among employers in Johnston, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies typically offer the highest pay rates. The salary discrepancy may be influenced by factors such as certification levels, specialization (like 6G pipe welders or those experienced in aerospace and nuclear welding), and geographic work location—traveling welders often command higher hourly rates with additional per-diem allowances. For welders aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and considering opportunities in high-demand specialties can substantially enhance lifetime income prospects in Johnston's evolving market.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $53,151 for weldersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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