Welder Salary in Owatonna, MN: $62,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Owatonna, MN earns a median $62,331/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $63,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Owatonna, Minnesota, offers a competitive median welder salary of $62,331, significantly surpassing the national median of $55,895 by 11.51%. The local salary range reflects a wide spread, from $45,106 at the lower end (P10) to $85,454 at the higher end (P90). These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate that pipe welders, particularly those with 6G certification, tend to dominate this market segment, often earning more than their structural and production welding counterparts. As the economy continues to evolve, demand for skilled welders remains high in Owatonna.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,106 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,284 | $25.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,331 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,355 | $34.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,454 | $41.09 |
Median Salary Position
11.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,348 (2026 est.). At $62,331, the local median is 11.51% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owatonna Welder Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $62,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,770 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +11.51% more |
Welders in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $62,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.51% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $62,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $62,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,280 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,382
2025 BLS Actual
$59,939
2026 Current Est.
$62,331
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,382 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,278 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,423 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,713 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,939 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $47,382 (2019) to $59,939 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,436 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $45,106 – $53,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,284 – $62,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,331 – $71,355 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,355 – $85,454 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Owatonna
Employment opportunities in Owatonna's welding sector are limited, with only six welders currently in the area, which can signify a competitive job market for prospective workers. The cost-of-living index at 98.5 suggests that while wages are higher than average, the local economic environment remains favorable for those in the trade. Companies specializing in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline projects may offer the most lucrative positions, given the specialty skills required for these roles. Factors such as certification level, the complexity of welding tasks, and the geographic mobility of welders play crucial roles in determining wage variations. Welders looking to maximize their income in Owatonna should focus on acquiring advanced certifications like ASME IX or exploring mobile welding opportunities, as traveling positions often come with per-diem allowances that significantly boost overall pay.
More salary data for Owatonna, 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 $59,939 for weldersin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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