Welder Salary in Minnesota: $63,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $63,530/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,497 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Cloud ($62,820), Minneapolis ($61,880), St. Paul ($61,259).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Minnesota is projected to be $63,530, which is significantly higher than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a positive variance of 13.7%. The highest paying city for welders in the state is St. Cloud at $65,327, while Mankato is at the lower end with $55,052, creating a salary gap of $10,275. Factors contributing to this disparity include regional demand for skilled labor, the concentration of manufacturing industries, and variations in living costs. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements that welders must meet, which can influence salary levels and job opportunities. The state's economy supports a steady demand for welders, projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, according to 2025 BLS data. Cities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maple Grove, and Woodbury provide competitive salaries ranging from $63,616 to $64,349, driven by their urban manufacturing bases and infrastructure projects. Overall, the welding job market in Minnesota indicates a strong outlook, with solid opportunities for employment and competitive salaries that exceed national averages, making it an appealing choice for those considering a career in welding within the state.
Minnesota Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $42,842 (lowest entry-level) to $98,740 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota welders earn 13.66% more than the national median (+$7,635/year difference).
Minnesota Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Minnesota range from $49,668 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,161 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,530. The Minnesota median is $7,635 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $30.54/hr. Approximately 6,822 welders are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,527
2025 BLS Actual
$61,092
2026 Current Est.
$63,530
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,527 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,584 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,065 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 25.9% from $48,527 (2019) to $61,092 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,065 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,538 (36.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Welders in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $65,327 | 87.632 | $74,547 |
| Rochester | $62,789 | 90.821 | $69,135 |
| Duluth | $59,701 | 88.768 | $67,255 |
| St. Paul | $63,703 | 98.5 | $64,673 |
| Maple Grove | $63,641 | 98.5 | $64,610 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,668 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,530 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,161 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Cloud | $65,327 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $64,349 |
| 3 | St. Paul | $63,703 |
| 4 | Maple Grove | $63,641 |
| 5 | Woodbury | $63,616 |
| 6 | Eden Prairie | $63,557 |
| 7 | Bloomington | $63,208 |
| 8 | Rochester | $62,789 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $62,331 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $62,248 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $62,139 |
| 12 | Roseville | $62,102 |
| 13 | Chaska | $62,053 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $62,039 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $61,970 |
| 16 | Burnsville | $61,920 |
| 17 | Lakeville | $61,691 |
| 18 | Chanhassen | $61,648 |
| 19 | Inver Grove Heights | $61,551 |
| 20 | Eagan | $61,542 |
| 21 | Brooklyn Center | $61,527 |
| 22 | Elk River | $61,517 |
| 23 | Prior Lake | $61,454 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $61,229 |
| 25 | Blaine | $60,970 |
| 26 | Apple Valley | $60,876 |
| 27 | Shakopee | $60,815 |
| 28 | Coon Rapids | $60,806 |
| 29 | Savage | $60,708 |
| 30 | Edina | $60,702 |
| 31 | Maplewood | $60,523 |
| 32 | Andover | $60,509 |
| 33 | Richfield | $60,480 |
| 34 | St. Louis Park | $60,474 |
| 35 | Moorhead | $60,387 |
| 36 | Northfield | $59,949 |
| 37 | Hastings | $59,822 |
| 38 | Duluth | $59,701 |
| 39 | Fridley | $59,553 |
| 40 | Winona | $59,505 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $59,480 |
| 42 | Austin | $59,388 |
| 43 | Faribault | $59,312 |
| 44 | Mankato | $55,052 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Compare Cities in Minnesota
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Minnesota?
How many welders are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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