Welder Salary in Duluth, MN: $59,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Duluth, MN earns a median $59,701/year (≈ $28.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $67,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a qualified welder in Duluth, Minnesota can expect a median annual salary of $59,701, which represents a competitive figure in comparison to the national median of $55,895. This salary range encompasses entry-level positions starting at $48,241 and can go as high as $84,429 for highly experienced professionals. Extensive equipment investment is often necessary for those pursuing the rig welder ownership pathway, as they must balance upfront costs—potentially ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 for a welding truck—against hourly rates that can fluctuate significantly based on skill and specialization. The data presented stems from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), providing an accurate look at the financial landscape for welders in Duluth, where demand remains strong.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,241 | $23.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,349 | $25.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,701 | $28.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,429 | $40.59 |
Median Salary Position
6.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,188 (2026 est.). At $59,701, the local median is 6.81% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Welder Pay Compares
Duluth median: $59,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,777 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.81% more |
Welders in Duluth, MN earn a median of $59,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% below the Minnesota state average of $62,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,701 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,920
2025 BLS Actual
$57,410
2026 Current Est.
$59,701
2019–2027 Growth
+9.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 0.9% from $56,920 (2019) to $57,410 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,163 (9.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $48,241 – $52,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,349 – $59,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,701 – $66,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,990 – $84,429 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Duluth
With around 370 welders employed in the Duluth area, job opportunities are adequate for those entering the field. Considering the cost-of-living index of 88.768, welders in Duluth enjoy a relative purchasing power that complements their pay. Employers that typically offer the highest wages include structural steel fabrication shops and businesses involved in oil and gas pipeline welding. The salary spread among welders can be significant, driven by factors such as certification levels—those with 6G pipe credentials and various specialties, like underwater or nuclear welding, often command premium rates. Additionally, mobile rig welders can significantly boost their earnings through traveling work and per-diem arrangements. To maximize pay in this market, welders should consider upgrading their certifications, gaining experience in in-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities in sectors like aerospace and defense, which tend to reward skilled welders with higher compensation.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 $57,410 for weldersin the Duluth 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