Welder Salary in La Crosse, WI: $61,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in La Crosse, WI earns a median $61,146/year (≈ $29.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $66,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in La Crosse, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $61,146, representing a competitive 9.39% premium over the national average of $55,895 for the same year. The salary range for this profession within the city spans from $50,726 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $81,445 at the upper end (90th percentile), indicating a healthy wage potential for skilled workers. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, shedding light on the economic landscape for welding professionals. Local welders have the opportunity to enhance their earnings significantly by considering traveling positions, which often offer per-diem benefits and a tax-advantaged structure, leading to more robust financial outcomes compared to local shop pay in La Crosse.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,726 | $24.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,248 | $27.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,146 | $29.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,445 | $39.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,445 | $39.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,719 (2026 est.). At $61,146, the local median is 9.39% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Welder Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $61,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,577 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +9.39% more |
Welders in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $61,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $61,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,630 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,880
2025 BLS Actual
$58,800
2026 Current Est.
$61,146
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,586 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 28.2% from $45,880 (2019) to $58,800 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,586 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,706 (38.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $50,726 – $56,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,248 – $61,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,146 – $81,445 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,445 – $81,445 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in La Crosse
The welding job market in La Crosse is strong, with approximately 300 welders currently employed in the region. One advantage for these professionals is the favorable cost-of-living index of 91.769, meaning that salaries stretch further compared to areas where living expenses are higher. Employers in La Crosse that tend to pay the most include those in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline projects, and aerospace and defense industries. The variations in income are often driven by certification levels and specialties—6G pipe certifications command higher wages due to the complexity and skill required. Furthermore, traveling welders can effectively boost income through per-diem compensations, which can add 30-50% to their pay. For welders considering maximizing their earnings in this area, seeking specialized certifications, engaging in pipeline work, and exploring mobile welding opportunities can lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 $58,800 for weldersin the La Crosse 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