Welder Salary in Muskegon, MI: $49,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Muskegon, MI earns a median $49,759/year (≈ $23.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Muskegon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $53,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muskegon, MI, the welder salary averages around $49,759 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $55,895. Employment opportunities in the area favor specialized roles, particularly pipe welding, while structural and production welding positions offer comparatively lower pay. The salary range spans from $42,574 at the lower end to $62,280 at the top, revealing the wage gradient in the local market. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating a job market that prioritizes welder expertise in high-demand sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding and specialized fabrication shops.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,574 | $20.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,555 | $22.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,759 | $23.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,916 | $29.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,280 | $29.94 |
Median Salary Position
10.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muskegon
In Muskegon, MI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,706 (2026 est.). At $49,759, the local median is 10.98% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muskegon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muskegon Welder Pay Compares
Muskegon median: $49,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muskegon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $51,404 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.98% less |
Welders in Muskegon, MI earn a median of $49,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.98% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the Michigan state average of $51,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muskegon has a cost of living 7.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muskegon, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.519 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,759 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,620
2025 BLS Actual
$47,850
2026 Current Est.
$49,759
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muskegon metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 9.7% from $43,620 (2019) to $47,850 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,125 (18.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muskegon 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) | $42,574 – $47,555 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,555 – $49,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,759 – $61,916 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,916 – $62,280 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Muskegon
The job market in Muskegon features approximately 390 welders employed, reflecting a steady demand for skilled laborers in this region. With a cost of living index of 92.519, earnings stretch further, allowing welders to improve their purchasing power despite the lower median salary compared to national standards. The highest-paying opportunities often arise in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline sectors, and specialized manufacturing plants. Variations in pay can result from factors such as certification levels, with 6G pipe welders and those with certifications like ASME IX earning the most. Traveling positions, particularly in pipeline projects, can add serious income with per-diem supplements, while ownership of welding rigs can further influence earnings. To maximize pay, welders in Muskegon should consider pursuing higher certification tiers, seeking traveling opportunities, and obtaining skills relevant to specialized sectors.
More salary data for Muskegon, 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 $47,850 for weldersin the Muskegon 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