Welder Salary in Racine, WI: $61,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Racine, WI earns a median $61,562/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $64,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Racine, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,562. This figure reflects a notable 10.14% advantage over the national median of $55,895 for welders. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $48,075 at the 10th percentile to $70,848 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these wages indicate that pipe welders, especially those with advanced 6G certifications, often secure higher pay compared to their counterparts in structural or production welding roles. The regional market dynamics showcase a competitive landscape where specialized skills, particularly in pipeline and aerospace sectors, take precedence.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,075 | $23.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,328 | $25.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,562 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,838 | $31.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,848 | $34.06 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,773 (2026 est.). At $61,562, the local median is 10.14% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be above the median
How Racine Welder Pay Compares
Racine median: $61,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | +10.14% more |
Welders in Racine, WI earn a median of $61,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $61,562 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,000
2025 BLS Actual
$59,200
2026 Current Est.
$61,562
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,018 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 34.5% from $44,000 (2019) to $59,200 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,018 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,018 (45.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $48,075 – $52,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,328 – $61,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,562 – $64,838 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,838 – $70,848 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Racine
The job market for welders in Racine is robust, with approximately 370 welders employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 95.961, suggesting that despite local salaries being relatively high, purchasing power remains strong due to lower-than-average living expenses. Among various employers, those specializing in pipeline welding or nuclear power maintenance are typically the top payers. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include level of certification, specialty areas like underwater welding, and the nature of employment—traveling welders often have elevated earnings paired with per-diem allowances. To maximize pay, welders in Racine should consider achieving higher certifications, engaging in traveling jobs, and exploring sectors that experience cyclical demand peaks such as oil and gas pipelines.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $59,200 for weldersin the Racine 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