Welder Salary in Flint, MI: $50,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Flint, MI earns a median $50,758/year (≈ $24.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Flint's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $54,559 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welding in Flint, Michigan, offers a median annual salary of $50,758, which falls below the national median of $55,895. The projected salary range for welders in this region spans from $38,996 at the 10th percentile to $73,147 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This reflects the distinct job opportunities available within the local market. While some welders may find stable positions in manufacturing or construction, others may increase their earning potential by investing in rig welder ownership or specializing in high-demand areas such as oil and gas pipeline welding. Such investments can lead to a more lucrative hourly rate, highlighting the trade-offs between upfront equipment costs and potential earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,996 | $18.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,054 | $20.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,758 | $24.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,709 | $29.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,147 | $35.17 |
Median Salary Position
9.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
In Flint, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,151 (2026 est.). At $50,758, the local median is 9.19% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flint: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flint Welder Pay Compares
Flint median: $50,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flint Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,374 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -9.19% less |
Welders in Flint, MI earn a median of $50,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.19% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $51,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flint has a cost of living 6.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flint, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.034 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,559 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,210
2025 BLS Actual
$48,810
2026 Current Est.
$50,758
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,783 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flint metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 38.6% from $35,210 (2019) to $48,810 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,783 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,573 (49.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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) | $38,996 – $42,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,054 – $50,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,758 – $60,709 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,709 – $73,147 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Flint
Flint's job market employs around 200 welders, providing a moderate level of stability within the industry. The cost of living index for Flint stands at 93.034, meaning that the economic landscape allows for relatively reasonable purchasing power compared to major U.S. cities. Employers such as structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline contractors are known for offering competitive pay. The variation in earnings among welders often depends on their certification levels and specialty skills, with those holding qualifications like the 6G pipe certificate typically commanding higher wages. Additionally, traveling jobs frequently provide per-diem allowances that can boost overall compensation, making it advantageous for welders in Flint to consider opportunities outside the local market. Continuous investment in expanding skills and certifications, particularly in specialized fields like nuclear or aerospace welding, can further elevate individual pay in this local context.
More salary data for Flint, MI:
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 $48,810 for weldersin the Flint 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