Welder Salary in Faribault, MN: $59,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Faribault, MN earns a median $59,312/year (≈ $28.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Faribault's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $60,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the Faribault, MN market, the projected median annual welder salary in 2026 is $59,312, surpassing the national median of $55,895 by 6.11%. Within this community, the salary range showcases a significant variance; welders can expect to earn as little as $44,268 at the lower percentiles (P10) and up to $82,314 at the higher end (P90). This competitive pay structure reflects local industry dynamics, with pipe welding, particularly for those with 6G certification, typically offering the highest wages. Structural welding positions follow closely but do not quite match the earning potential seen with specialized pipeline work or production roles, making it a considerable factor for job seekers considering opportunities in Faribault.
About the Faribault Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,268 | $21.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,490 | $24.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,312 | $28.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,015 | $33.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,314 | $39.58 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Faribault
In Faribault, MN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,046 (2026 est.). At $59,312, the local median is 6.11% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Faribault: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Faribault Welder Pay Compares
Faribault median: $59,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Faribault Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,764 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.11% more |
Welders in Faribault, MN earn a median of $59,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.50% below the Minnesota state average of $62,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Faribault has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Faribault, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,088
2025 BLS Actual
$57,036
2026 Current Est.
$59,312
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Faribault (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,892 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,446 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,932 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,966 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,036 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,678 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Faribault metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $45,088 (2019) to $57,036 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,678 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,590 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Faribault 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) | $44,268 – $51,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,490 – $59,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,312 – $69,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,015 – $82,314 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Faribault
The local job market for welders in Faribault is relatively small, with only six welders currently employed. The city's cost of living index sits at 98.5, indicating that daily expenses are slightly below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of welders. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive pay include those engaged in oil and gas pipeline welding, particularly on cross-country projects, along with structural steel fabrication shops. Notably, the disparity in pay between lower and higher earners can often be attributed to various factors, such as certification levels, specialty areas, and whether a welder is engaged in local or traveling work—where the latter may add significant per-diem earnings. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Faribault, obtaining advanced certifications such as AWS or ASME, focusing on high-demand specialties, and considering mobile rig welding may provide the best opportunities for financial advancement in the field.
More salary data for Faribault, 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 $57,036 for weldersin the Faribault 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 Faribault 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