Senior Welder Salary in Menomonie, WI: $78,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of welders working in Menomonie, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $78,228/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 51-4121. Strip back Menomonie's price premium (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $83,756 in average-cost America. The 34% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced welders in Menomonie, WI, can anticipate competitive compensation, with top earners making as much as $78,228 annually. This figure not only highlights the substantial earning potential available to senior welders but also places Menomonie's figures above the national median for experienced roles, which stands at $55,895. The median annual salary of $58,417 reflects the significant experience premium available in this market, showcasing the gap between the typical earnings and those attainable by welders with advanced skills and certifications. Achieving such a high salary often requires expertise in specialized welding techniques, exceptional craftsmanship, and continuous training to maintain necessary certifications.
About the Menomonie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Menomonie
Experienced welders at the top of the pay scale in Menomonie earn between $66,039 and $78,228 per year (2026 est.). This $34,175 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Menomonie median of $58,417 sits 4.51% above the US median.
Top WLD Salary Comparison
| Level | Menomonie | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $58,417 | $55,895 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,039 | $65,524 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $78,228 | $80,623 |
In Menomonie, experienced welders (P90) earn 33.91% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Welder Pay in Menomonie
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI welders with additional specialty certifications within the welding field earn significantly above the $58,417 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Menomonie employers.
Specialty Focus
Welders focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the welding field in Menomonie command premium compensation, often reaching the $66,039–$78,228 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Menomonie metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced welders who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured welders in Menomonie with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Welders in Wisconsin who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Welder Career & Wage Growth Path in Menomonie
Clinical Welder
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Welder
5-10 yearsWelder Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMenomonie ranks #32 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner welder salary (90th percentile: $78,228).
Top 10% welder compensation in Menomonie ($78,228) is 5.72% above the Wisconsin average P90 ($73,992).
2019 BLS Actual
$62,331
2025 BLS Actual
$75,226
2026 Current Est.
$78,228
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Menomonie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,281 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,707 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,105 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,349 | Projected |
Top-earning welders (90th percentile) in Menomonie saw their compensation grow 20.7% from $62,331 in 2019 to $75,226 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.99% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $81,349 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonie 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.
Maximizing Your Welder Earnings in Menomonie
To command premium pay in the senior welder category, welders in Menomonie often focus on niche specializations. High-demand skills, such as pipe welding using TIG techniques (particularly for pipeline and refinery work), structural welding with AWS D1.1 certification, and underwater welding, can significantly influence compensation levels. Notably, the local job market varies between employers; those in oil and gas, aerospace, and nuclear maintenance tend to offer higher wages than traditional fabrication shops or local manufacturing plants. Advancement opportunities are plentiful, with paths leading from production welder positions to supervisory roles or even ownership of welding businesses. Acquiring additional credentials like the CWI certification or certifications from organizations such as NCCER not only enhances a welder's qualifications but also bolsters their earning potential in a competitive landscape. With a robust growth rate of 3.99%, the demand for experienced welders in Menomonie is expected to remain strong, driven by an aging workforce and the continued need for skilled labor across various industries.
More salary data for Menomonie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced welders make in Menomonie in 2026?
What drives higher welder pay in Menomonie?
What certifications boost welder salary in Menomonie?
Can experienced welders make six figures in Menomonie?
How much does welder salary increase over time in Menomonie?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $75,226 for welders in the Menomonie metro area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonie 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