Welder Salary in Jackson, MI: $51,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Jackson, MI earns a median $51,777/year (≈ $24.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $56,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Jackson, Michigan, offers a competitive landscape for welders, as evidenced by the 2026 median annual salary projected at $51,777, a figure that trails the national average of $55,895 by approximately 7.37%. The salary range for welders within the area presents significant variability, extending from $40,244 at the 10th percentile to as much as $96,856 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from comprehensive 2025 BLS OEWS data, anticipated to reflect economic conditions in 2026. Welders can capitalize on local opportunities like traveling pipe work, which typically comes with added per-diem that can significantly increase earnings compared to traditional shop pay. This gives an edge to those willing to travel while local positions are still bolstered by steady demand in manufacturing and construction sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,244 | $19.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,409 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,777 | $24.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,248 | $29.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,856 | $46.57 |
Median Salary Position
7.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,612 (2026 est.). At $51,777, the local median is 7.37% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Jackson Welder Pay Compares
Jackson median: $51,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,417 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.37% less |
Welders in Jackson, MI earn a median of $51,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% above the Michigan state average of $51,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,777 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,415 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,800
2025 BLS Actual
$49,790
2026 Current Est.
$51,777
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 39.1% from $35,800 (2019) to $49,790 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,043 (50.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $40,244 – $47,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,409 – $51,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,777 – $62,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,248 – $96,856 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Jackson
In Jackson, the employment market for welders remains solid, with around 130 professionals currently working in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 91.779, individuals can expect their take-home pay to stretch further compared to national averages, enhancing their financial health. Top-paying opportunities in the local market often arise from industries such as oil and gas pipeline welding, petrochemical turnarounds, and structural fabrication shops. The diversity in pay grades often stems from factors including certification levels—where 6G pipe and ASME IX qualifications command higher rates—and the economic fluctuations typical of pipeline and oil sectors. Moreover, welders can maximize their earnings by pursuing specialty certifications and considering rig welder ownership, which, although requiring significant investment in equipment, can yield returns well above local averages. With a growing demand projected for the coming years, Jackson's welding professionals are positioned to benefit from a strong job market and various pathways to enhance their income.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 $49,790 for weldersin the Jackson 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