Welder Salary in Mequon, WI: $57,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Mequon, WI earns a median $57,532/year (≈ $27.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Mequon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder salaries in Mequon, Wisconsin are projected to reach a median annual figure of $57,532 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $55,895. This diverse market shows a salary range from $46,536 at the 10th percentile to $75,390 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential for qualified welders. The pay gradient between pipe welders and structural welders typically skews towards the former, especially for those who hold advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualification, reflecting the demand for specialized skills. BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments illustrate that Mequon provides favorable pay in light of its cost of living, drawing interest from skilled workers looking to capitalize on local opportunities in various sectors including construction, manufacturing, and energy.
About the Mequon Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,536 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,742 | $25.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,532 | $27.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,016 | $30.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,390 | $36.24 |
Median Salary Position
2.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mequon
In Mequon, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,854 (2026 est.). At $57,532, the local median is 2.93% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mequon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mequon Welder Pay Compares
Mequon median: $57,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mequon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,532 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +2.93% more |
Welders in Mequon, WI earn a median of $57,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 6.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mequon 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.
Mequon, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $57,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,597 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,735
2025 BLS Actual
$55,325
2026 Current Est.
$57,532
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Mequon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,735 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,485 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mequon metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,735 (2019) to $55,325 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,093 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mequon 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) | $46,536 – $52,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,742 – $57,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,532 – $64,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,016 – $75,390 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Mequon
Despite having only five welders actively employed in Mequon, the job market remains competitive, influenced partly by a cost of living index of 93.4, indicating that wages have purchasing power that exceeds national averages. Employers like structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline contractors typically offer some of the highest pay ranges, with specialized sectors such as aerospace, nuclear power maintenance, and underwater welding also commanding premium rates. The variation in welder pay stems from multiple factors, including certification levels, specialty skills, and job requirements—labor-intensive traveling positions can substantially add to earnings through per-diem allowances. To maximize earning potential in this market, welders should pursue advanced certifications and consider specializing in high-demand fields, while also exploring opportunities for mobility in travel-based positions that promise higher income potential.
More salary data for Mequon, 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 $55,325 for weldersin the Mequon 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 Mequon 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