Welder Salary in Manitowoc, WI: $58,877 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Manitowoc, WI earns a median $58,877/year (≈ $28.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Manitowoc's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Manitowoc, WI can expect to earn a median salary of $58,877, representing a slight increase of 5.34% compared to the national median of $55,895. Local estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, suggest a salary range from $45,599 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $82,300 (P90). The welders in this area are likely to experience a pay gradient influenced by their specialization, with pipe welders, especially those with 6G certifications, typically commanding higher salaries than structural or production welders. These figures indicate a strong market for skilled welders in Manitowoc, particularly for those seeking to advance their qualifications and specialize.
About the Manitowoc Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,599 | $21.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,542 | $25.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,877 | $28.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,455 | $33.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,300 | $39.57 |
Median Salary Position
5.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manitowoc
In Manitowoc, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,701 (2026 est.). At $58,877, the local median is 5.34% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manitowoc: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manitowoc Welder Pay Compares
Manitowoc median: $58,877/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manitowoc Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,587 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +5.34% more |
Welders in Manitowoc, WI earn a median of $58,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,587.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manitowoc 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.
Manitowoc, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $58,877 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,037 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,757
2025 BLS Actual
$56,618
2026 Current Est.
$58,877
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Manitowoc (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,757 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,548 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,551 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,877 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manitowoc metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,757 (2019) to $56,618 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,469 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manitowoc 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) | $45,599 – $52,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,542 – $58,877 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,877 – $69,455 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,455 – $82,300 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Manitowoc
With only nine welders currently employed in Manitowoc, job competition is moderate. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.4, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than some national averages, the purchasing power in the area allows welders to maintain a decent standard of living. Employers in Manitowoc that tend to offer the most competitive salaries include those in the oil and gas sector, structural steel fabrication, and shipbuilding, where specialized skills are in high demand. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often derives from factors such as the level of certification, the specific services provided (like underwater welding or work in nuclear facilities), and whether welders are engaged in local assignments or traveling jobs that include per diem compensation. Welders looking to maximize their earnings would do well to pursue advanced certifications such as 6G pipe welding or qualifications for industries like aerospace and defense, which offer significant financial rewards.
More salary data for Manitowoc, 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 $56,618 for weldersin the Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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