Welder Salary in Caledonia, WI: $59,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Caledonia, WI earns a median $59,656/year (≈ $28.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Caledonia's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation landscape for welders in Caledonia, Wisconsin reflects a competitive edge, with a median annual salary of $59,656, slightly above the national figure of $55,895. The salary range spans from $42,564 at the 10th percentile to $84,897 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities based on specialization and experience. Local estimates drawn from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments highlight the strong positioning of pipe welders, especially those holding advanced certifications like 6G and ASME IX, who typically command higher pay compared to those in structural or production welding roles. With only four welders currently employed in Caledonia, the market is tight, and opportunities may arise for skilled tradespeople willing to navigate this compact workforce.
About the Caledonia Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,564 | $20.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,185 | $26.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,656 | $28.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,007 | $33.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,897 | $40.82 |
Median Salary Position
6.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caledonia
In Caledonia, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,333 (2026 est.). At $59,656, the local median is 6.73% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Caledonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Caledonia Welder Pay Compares
Caledonia median: $59,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caledonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,564 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.73% more |
Welders in Caledonia, WI earn a median of $59,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.73% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caledonia 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.
Caledonia, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,349
2025 BLS Actual
$57,367
2026 Current Est.
$59,656
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Caledonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,349 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,173 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caledonia metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $45,349 (2019) to $57,367 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,687 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caledonia 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) | $42,564 – $54,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,185 – $59,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,656 – $70,007 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,007 – $84,897 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Caledonia
As the local cost of living index sits at 93.4, welders in Caledonia benefit from a purchasing power that slightly outperforms the national average. Employers engaged in industries such as oil and gas pipeline welding and petrochemical refinery turnaround crews are likely the highest payers, given the specialized nature of their work. The pay disparities in Caledonia largely stem from the varying levels of certification—welders with credentials for underwater, nuclear, or aerospace applications often see premiums that can significantly enhance earnings. Moreover, local jobs may be influenced by traveling opportunities that yield per-diem bonuses, boosting base pay by 30-50%. For welders aiming to optimize their earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications, exploring traveling positions, and considering mobile welding opportunities can be beneficial strategies to increase overall compensation in Caledonia, WI.
More salary data for Caledonia, 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 $57,367 for weldersin the Caledonia 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 Caledonia 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