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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Welder Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$51,320/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.67/hr
▼ 5% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
16,260
public U.S. Median
$53,750
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$51,342 #48 of 51

Welder pay in Illinois, explained

Welders in Illinois earn a median of $51,320 per year ($24.67 per hour), which is 5% below the national median of $53,750. Entry-level workers earn around $38,890, while the most experienced welders reach about $76,730. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $51,320 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $51,320 is worth about $51,342 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #48 for real pay (vs #34 on the sticker number).

See the full Welder Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Welder pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,890
$18.70/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,320
$24.67/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$76,730
$36.89/hr

Welder pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $51,320 $51,342 —
Wisconsin $58,410 $62,076 −$7,090
Iowa $55,090 $62,772 −$3,770
Missouri $51,950 $57,203 −$630
Kentucky $51,470 $57,088 −$150
Indiana $49,730 $53,285 +$1,590

Welder in Illinois: FAQ

How much do welders make in Illinois?

Welders in Illinois earn a median of $51,320 per year ($24.67 per hour), compared with $53,750 nationally.

Does Illinois pay welders well?

At $51,320, Illinois pays 5% below the national median for welders. An estimated 16,260 work in the state.

Welder salary in other states

Alaska · $80,840 Hawaii · $79,000 Connecticut · $64,880 Wyoming · $63,820 Washington · $63,020 Massachusetts · $62,570 New Hampshire · $62,360 Louisiana · $62,250 Maine · $62,220 North Dakota · $62,000 Nevada · $61,520 Vermont · $60,890

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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