Welder Salary in North Liberty, IA: $56,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in North Liberty, IA earns a median $56,159/year (≈ $27.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $56,159 in 2026, the welder pay in North Liberty, IA, demonstrates a competitive edge when viewed against the national figure of $55,895. Welders in this area can expect to earn between $41,753 and $77,897 annually, reflecting variations in experience, certification, and type of work performed. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the potential for welder earnings to grow, particularly as demand in the local job market remains steady. Understanding the trade-off between investing in equipment for rig welder ownership and hourly rates is crucial, as this can significantly influence overall compensation and job satisfaction in the North Liberty welding sector.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,753 | $20.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,159 | $27.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,153 | $31.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,897 | $37.45 |
Median Salary Position
0.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,144 (2026 est.). At $56,159, the local median is 0.47% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty Welder Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $56,159/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $59,553 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +0.47% more |
Welders in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $56,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $59,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $56,159 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,691
2025 BLS Actual
$54,004
2026 Current Est.
$56,159
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,691 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,399 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,036 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,399 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $42,691 (2019) to $54,004 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,708 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $41,753 – $52,110 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,110 – $56,159 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,159 – $65,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,153 – $77,897 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in North Liberty
Given the current employment landscape, only six welders are actively working in North Liberty, which suggests a tight-knit community and possibly limited availability for new positions. The local cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they have to accommodate local economic realities. Employers in sectors like structural steel fabrication or oil and gas pipeline welding typically offer the highest compensation, alongside opportunities for mobile welders who can capitalize on their investments in equipment. The disparity in welder salaries can be attributed to various factors, including certification levels—where advanced credentials like 6G pipe certification command higher pay—and specialty skill sets in high-demand fields such as underwater or nuclear welding. Strategies for maximizing income in North Liberty may include pursuing further qualifications, seeking out traveling work that offers per-diem, and exploring self-employment opportunities in the rig ownership market.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 $54,004 for weldersin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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