Welder Salary in Wisconsin: $61,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $61,351/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,686 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fond du Lac ($60,930), Oshkosh ($60,720), Waukesha ($60,138).
In Wisconsin, the average median salary for welders in 2026 is projected to be $61,351, which is 9.8% higher than the national median of $55,895. The disparity in wages across the state can be seen when comparing Fond du Lac, the highest-paying city for welders at $63,361, to Wisconsin Rapids, where the salary is lower at $56,445. Factors that drive this difference include local demand for skilled labor, industrial activity, and cost of living variations. The state has specific licensing requirements and regulations that may affect welders' employment opportunities, influencing the overall demand in the job market. Wisconsin's welding industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, indicating a steady need for professionals in this field. The total number of employed welders in the state stands at 10,659, with strong projections in cities like Oshkosh ($63,143), Waukesha ($62,538), Beloit ($62,536), and Janesville ($62,394). This diverse salary landscape reflects the economic conditions, workforce demands, and regional industrial growth, making it essential for welders to navigate these factors when considering career opportunities in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $42,564 (lowest entry-level) to $87,949 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin welders earn 9.76% more than the national median (+$5,456/year difference).
Wisconsin Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Wisconsin range from $49,574 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $73,992 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,351. The Wisconsin median is $5,456 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $29.50/hr. Approximately 10,659 welders are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,301
2025 BLS Actual
$58,997
2026 Current Est.
$61,351
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,196 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 30.2% from $45,301 (2019) to $58,997 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,498 (40.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $56,445 |
| Middleton | $56,917 |
| Platteville | $57,528 |
| Mequon | $57,532 |
| Wausau | $58,006 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac | $63,361 | 91.643 | $69,139 |
| Oshkosh | $63,143 | 92.929 | $67,948 |
| Waukesha | $62,538 | 93.4 | $66,957 |
| Beloit | $62,536 | 93.4 | $66,955 |
| La Crosse | $61,146 | 91.769 | $66,630 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,574 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,351 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $73,992 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fond du Lac | $63,361 |
| 2 | Oshkosh | $63,143 |
| 3 | Waukesha | $62,538 |
| 4 | Beloit | $62,536 |
| 5 | Janesville | $62,394 |
| 6 | Onalaska | $61,966 |
| 7 | Madison | $61,905 |
| 8 | Sheboygan | $61,832 |
| 9 | Milwaukee | $61,760 |
| 10 | West Allis | $61,612 |
| 11 | Racine | $61,562 |
| 12 | Mount Pleasant | $61,471 |
| 13 | Appleton | $61,271 |
| 14 | Fitchburg | $61,203 |
| 15 | Green Bay | $61,198 |
| 16 | Greenfield | $61,198 |
| 17 | La Crosse | $61,146 |
| 18 | Menomonee Falls | $60,668 |
| 19 | Brookfield | $60,525 |
| 20 | West Bend | $60,492 |
| 21 | De Pere | $60,444 |
| 22 | Eau Claire | $60,429 |
| 23 | New Berlin | $60,329 |
| 24 | Kenosha | $60,085 |
| 25 | Sun Prairie | $59,818 |
| 26 | Caledonia | $59,656 |
| 27 | Muskego | $59,527 |
| 28 | Stevens Point | $59,249 |
| 29 | Franklin | $59,183 |
| 30 | Oak Creek | $58,997 |
| 31 | Superior | $58,905 |
| 32 | Manitowoc | $58,877 |
| 33 | Pewaukee | $58,658 |
| 34 | South Milwaukee | $58,486 |
| 35 | Pleasant Prairie | $58,477 |
| 36 | Menomonie | $58,417 |
| 37 | Whitewater | $58,412 |
| 38 | Wauwatosa | $58,361 |
| 39 | Germantown | $58,320 |
| 40 | Marshfield | $58,297 |
| 41 | River Falls | $58,010 |
| 42 | Wausau | $58,006 |
| 43 | Mequon | $57,532 |
| 44 | Platteville | $57,528 |
| 45 | Middleton | $56,917 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $56,445 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Compare Cities in Wisconsin
View all comparisons →Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Wisconsin?
How many welders are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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