Welder Salary in Brookfield, WI: $60,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Brookfield, WI earns a median $60,525/year (≈ $29.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Brookfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Brookfield, Wisconsin, can expect a median salary of $60,525 in 2026, reflecting a robust 3.99% annual growth rate over the next five years. The salary range for welders varies significantly, with projections indicating earnings from $44,639 at the lower end to as much as $81,973 on the higher end. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscore the distinctive economic landscape of Brookfield. Notably, traveling pipe welders—who often earn additional per-diem rates alongside tax advantages—may find compensation packages that exceed local shop wages, allowing them to command more competitive salaries compared to their stationary counterparts in the area.
About the Brookfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,639 | $21.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,703 | $26.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,525 | $29.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,492 | $32.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,973 | $39.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookfield
In Brookfield, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,334 (2026 est.). At $60,525, the local median is 8.28% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookfield Welder Pay Compares
Brookfield median: $60,525/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,572 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +8.28% more |
Welders in Brookfield, WI earn a median of $60,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookfield has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookfield, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $60,525 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,010
2025 BLS Actual
$58,203
2026 Current Est.
$60,525
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Brookfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,905 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookfield metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $46,010 (2019) to $58,203 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,930 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookfield 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) | $44,639 – $54,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,703 – $60,525 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,525 – $68,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,492 – $81,973 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Brookfield
In terms of job market dynamics, Brookfield employs just six welders, creating a niche environment where pay can vary widely based on experience and specialty. Given the cost of living index of 93.4, welders here may find their take-home pay stretches further than in many national markets, influencing purchasing power. Employers in sectors like structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding may provide the highest salaries, bolstered by the need for certifications such as the 6G pipe and ASME IX. The wide income range is also driven by factors like rig welder ownership—where investing in a welding truck can require up to $150,000—as well as the variability in specialization and local versus traveling opportunities. For welders in Brookfield, leveraging specialty skills and considering mobile work can enhance overall earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Brookfield, WI:
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 $58,203 for weldersin the Brookfield 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 Brookfield 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