Welder Salary in Monroe, MI: $51,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Monroe, MI earns a median $51,548/year (≈ $24.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $55,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Monroe, Michigan, is projected to reach a median of $51,548 annually, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local market. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $55,895, indicating that the pay scale for welders in Monroe may not keep pace with broader national trends. Salary ranges show significant variation, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $36,105 and experienced welders potentially earning up to $73,271. Such a spread highlights the different types of welding work available in the area; pipe welders, particularly those skilled in 6G certification, tend to command higher pay relative to structural and production welding roles. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, offering valuable insights into the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,105 | $17.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,210 | $20.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,548 | $24.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,261 | $29.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,271 | $35.22 |
Median Salary Position
7.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,166 (2026 est.). At $51,548, the local median is 7.78% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Welder Pay Compares
Monroe median: $51,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,394 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.78% less |
Welders in Monroe, MI earn a median of $51,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.78% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the Michigan state average of $51,394.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe has a cost of living 6.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Monroe, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.492 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,740
2025 BLS Actual
$49,570
2026 Current Est.
$51,548
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 34.9% from $36,740 (2019) to $49,570 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,865 (45.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $36,105 – $42,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,210 – $51,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,548 – $61,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,261 – $73,271 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Monroe
The job market in Monroe includes around 240 welders, which keeps the competition moderate and the opportunities robust. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 93.492, contributes to a favorable environment for welders, as their salaries can extend further compared to higher-cost locales. Various employers shape the welder pay in Monroe, from manufacturing plants to structural steel fabrication shops. Notably, welders working in oil and gas pipeline projects, especially for cross-country pipelines or nuclear power plant maintenance, often fetch the highest salaries. Factors influencing pay disparity include certification levels and specialized skills; for instance, underwater welding or nuclear-grade welds command significant premiums. Welders aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing advanced certifications, exploring per-diem opportunities through traveling positions, and understanding the local job dynamics to negotiate better compensation packages.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 $49,570 for weldersin the Monroe 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