Welder Salary in River Falls, WI: $58,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in River Falls, WI earns a median $58,010/year (≈ $27.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $62,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, welders can anticipate a median annual salary of $58,010 in 2026, which slightly outpaces the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders here varies significantly, with starting wages at $43,051 and potential earnings reaching up to $80,377. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost of living conditions. Welders in this region face a unique opportunity; the investment in equipment for rig welding can be substantial, and the trade-off between hourly rates and ownership costs often determines overall earnings. Given the local job market with only five welders currently employed, this presents potential growth opportunities not only for newcomers but also for seasoned professionals looking to maximize their pay.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,051 | $20.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,461 | $25.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,247 | $32.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,377 | $38.64 |
Median Salary Position
3.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,326 (2026 est.). At $58,010, the local median is 3.78% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Welder Pay Compares
River Falls median: $58,010/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,582 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.78% more |
Welders in River Falls, WI earn a median of $58,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.78% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls 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.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $58,010 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,109 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,098
2025 BLS Actual
$55,784
2026 Current Est.
$58,010
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,862 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,339 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,792 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,526 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,098 (2019) to $55,784 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,226 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $43,051 – $52,461 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,461 – $58,010 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,010 – $67,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,247 – $80,377 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in River Falls
In River Falls, the average cost of living index is 93.4, indicating that while wages are projected favorably, purchasing power remains an essential consideration for welders. Employers in various sectors, from structural steel fabrication to oil and gas pipeline welding, can significantly impact pay. Those with specialized certifications, such as the 6G pipe or nuclear welding qualifications, typically command higher rates. The disparity in wages is often driven by factors like certification levels, specialty skills, and the nature of the work, where traveling welders can see significant per-diem payments in addition to their base rates. To maximize earnings, welders should focus on securing specialized certifications, considering the benefits of mobility for better compensation, and staying informed about the cyclical nature of industries that drive demand. Adjusting strategies to align with market trends in River Falls will enhance overall financial outcomes.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $55,784 for weldersin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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