Welder Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $60,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $60,522/year (≈ $29.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $69,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average welder salary in Grand Forks is projected at $60,522, reflecting a competitive position within the region compared to a national median of $55,895. This figure highlights the strong demand for welders, particularly in specialized areas like pipe welding, which dominates the local market. The salary range for welders in the area varies significantly, from $45,402 for entry-level positions to $84,388 at the upper end for highly skilled roles. Such diversity in compensation is indicative of the varying levels of certification and specialization in welding, with pipe and structural welders often commanding higher pay due to the technical expertise required. Given these trends, Grand Forks presents a promising job market for welders, particularly those with advanced certifications and experience in critical sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,402 | $21.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,284 | $25.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,522 | $29.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,874 | $32.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,388 | $40.58 |
Median Salary Position
8.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,986 (2026 est.). At $60,522, the local median is 8.28% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Welder Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $60,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $51,421 | +17.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +8.28% more |
Welders in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $60,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 17.70% above the North Dakota state average of $51,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $60,522 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,836 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,440
2025 BLS Actual
$58,200
2026 Current Est.
$60,522
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,937 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 25.3% from $46,440 (2019) to $58,200 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,937 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,497 (35.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $45,402 – $53,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,284 – $60,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,522 – $67,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,874 – $84,388 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Grand Forks
In the Grand Forks area, about 190 welders are actively employed, contributing to a robust labor market despite the local cost of living index at 86.663, which is below the national average. This lower index suggests that welders in the region enjoy greater purchasing power compared to their peers in more expensive cities. High-paying opportunities often arise from employers within oil and gas sectors, structural steel fabrication, and nuclear power maintenance, where specialized skills such as the 6G pipe certification or NQA-1 clearance can significantly influence earnings. The difference in wages can be attributed to factors like the type of welding performed, experience level, and, sometimes, whether the positions are union or non-union. Moreover, welders who are willing to travel, especially for pipeline work, can see their incomes boosted by per-diem compensation. For those in Grand Forks looking to maximize their welder pay, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking positions in high-demand sectors can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 $58,200 for weldersin the Grand Forks 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