Welder Salary in Marquette, MI: $49,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Marquette, MI earns a median $49,497/year (≈ $23.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Marquette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $53,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marquette, Michigan, the welder salary landscape reveals a median annual earnings figure of $49,497, which lags behind the national median of $55,895 by about 11.45%. Salaries here span a substantial range, with figures from $38,385 at the 10th percentile to as high as $65,991 at the 90th percentile. Projections for 2026 indicate that these estimates are derived from the latest BLS state-level data and adjusted for the local cost of living, which in Marquette is below the national average. The current economic environment provides a unique situation for welders, particularly in light of the investment trade-offs encountered by rig welders, who often face considerable expenses for equipment while grappling with fluctuating hourly rates.
About the Marquette Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,385 | $18.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,175 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,497 | $23.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,775 | $26.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,991 | $31.73 |
Median Salary Position
11.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marquette
In Marquette, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,606 (2026 est.). At $49,497, the local median is 11.45% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marquette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marquette Welder Pay Compares
Marquette median: $49,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marquette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,399 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.45% less |
Welders in Marquette, MI earn a median of $49,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% below the Michigan state average of $51,399.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marquette has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marquette, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,497 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,627
2025 BLS Actual
$47,598
2026 Current Est.
$49,497
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Marquette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,339 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,472 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marquette metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,627 (2019) to $47,598 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,845 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marquette 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) | $38,385 – $44,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,175 – $49,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,497 – $55,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,775 – $65,991 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Marquette
With only four welders employed in the area, the Marquette job market showcases a limited yet specialized demand, particularly for advanced positions in structural welding and pipeline work. The cost of living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that welders' purchasing power may not keep pace with the national averages. Employers in the region, such as structural steel fabrication shops and companies engaging in pipeline welding, often pay competitive wages, reflecting the disparity created by necessary certifications and specialized skills. For instance, welders holding 6G pipe and NQA-1 certifications or those engaging in high-stakes underwater welding command higher pay scales. To maximize earnings locally, welders should focus on diversifying their skill set, pursue high-level certifications, and consider opportunities in mobile welding, where equipment ownership could lead to significant returns despite the initial investment.
More salary data for Marquette, 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 $47,598 for weldersin the Marquette 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 Marquette 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