Welder Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $63,361 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $63,361/year (≈ $30.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $69,139 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, WI, the 2026 projected salary for welders stands at $63,361, representing a competitive edge compared to the national median of $55,895. This figure is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the city's favorable local economy for welding professionals. Welders in Fond du Lac can expect salaries ranging from $50,279 at the 10th percentile to $73,511 at the 90th percentile, indicating healthy earning potential within the region. The local job market is supported by both traveling pipe welders, who benefit from per-diem rates and a tax-advantaged structure, and those employed in stable positions at local fabrication shops. This variability in compensation highlights the robust demand for welders within the area, positioning Fond du Lac as an attractive location for those in the trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,279 | $24.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,153 | $24.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,361 | $30.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,658 | $32.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,511 | $35.35 |
Median Salary Position
13.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,232 (2026 est.). At $63,361, the local median is 13.36% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Fond du Lac: You'd be above the median
How Fond du Lac Welder Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $63,361/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,575 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +13.36% more |
Welders in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $63,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,575.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.643 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $63,361 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,139 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,440
2025 BLS Actual
$60,930
2026 Current Est.
$63,361
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Fond du Lac (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 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,361 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 31.2% from $46,440 (2019) to $60,930 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,449 (41.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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) | $50,279 – $51,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,153 – $63,361 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,361 – $66,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,658 – $73,511 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Fond du Lac
The job market for welders in Fond du Lac remains strong, with approximately 230 employed in the area. The cost of living index is notably low at 91.643, which enhances the purchasing power of welders compared to many other markets. Leading employers include structural steel fabrication shops and those specializing in oil and gas pipeline welding, where top-tier positions often align with higher salaries. Various factors can drive the disparity in pay for welders, including certification levels and specialty areas such as underwater and nuclear welding, which necessitate advanced skills and offer higher compensation. For welders seeking to maximize pay, pursuing additional certifications and considering traveling work can significantly enhance earnings. Engaging with local recruitment networks can also lead to increased opportunities, ensuring that welders in Fond du Lac stay competitive within this evolving field.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, 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 $60,930 for weldersin the Fond du Lac 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