Welder Salary in Lansing, MI: $52,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Lansing, MI earns a median $52,380/year (≈ $25.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Lansing's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.0), that paycheck buys what $55,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lansing, Michigan, prospective welders can anticipate a 2026 median annual salary of $52,380, which represents a slight decrement compared to the national median of $55,895. With a salary range extending from $42,210 at the lower end to $77,036 for experienced professionals, the economics of welding in this region demonstrate notable variability. The local job market favors those who carry specialized certifications like the 6G pipe qualification and ASME IX, enhancing earning potential. Additionally, while many local welders work in shops with more stable pay structures, traveling pipe welders often benefit from a tax-advantaged per-diem compensation model, which can sometimes elevate their earnings significantly when factoring in job demand and geographical mobility.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,210 | $20.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,437 | $23.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,380 | $25.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,904 | $30.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,036 | $37.04 |
Median Salary Position
6.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lansing
In Lansing, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,826 (2026 est.). At $52,380, the local median is 6.29% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lansing: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lansing Welder Pay Compares
Lansing median: $52,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lansing Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,403 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.29% less |
Welders in Lansing, MI earn a median of $52,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.29% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% above the Michigan state average of $51,403.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lansing has a cost of living 5.01% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lansing, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.991 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,380 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,142 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.27% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,660
2025 BLS Actual
$50,370
2026 Current Est.
$52,380
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lansing metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 18.1% from $42,660 (2019) to $50,370 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,810 (27.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lansing 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) | $42,210 – $49,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,437 – $52,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,380 – $62,904 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,904 – $77,036 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Lansing
The welding job market in Lansing employs around 370 individuals, a figure that illustrates the robustness of opportunities in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 94.991, it’s evident that welders in Lansing enjoy a relatively favorable economic position when it comes to purchasing power. Among competitive employers, industries such as oil and gas pipeline welding, structural steel fabrication, and aerospace and defense tend to offer the highest remunerations. The spread in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as the type of welding performed, the level of certification, and the difference between local shop work versus lucrative traveling assignments. To maximize earnings in Lansing's market, welders should focus on acquiring advanced certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand sectors, which can lead to enhanced job satisfaction and financial rewards.
More salary data for Lansing, 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 $50,370 for weldersin the Lansing 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