Welders Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,500
- 50th Percentile — Median$51,320
- 75th Percentile — Senior$61,520
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$76,730
Half of Welders in Illinois earn more than $51,320. The top 10% make $76,730 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,890.
Welders in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 31st of 51 states for Welders pay, at $55,930 per year (1.5% below the U.S. average of $56,760).
- 16,260 people work as Welders in Illinois — 3.9% of all U.S. Welders jobs.
- Location quotient 1.00: Welders jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,890; the top 10% earn over $76,730.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,100.
- Among skilled trades jobs in Illinois, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($107,820).
Welders Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Welders here earn $55,930 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $55,930 is roughly equivalent to $53,267 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($58,180), Wisconsin ($57,920), Texas ($56,940) are the closest alternatives for Welders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $107,820/yr Illinois +92.8% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $88,650/yr Illinois +58.5% vs this role
- Roofers $77,650/yr Illinois +38.8% vs this role
- HVAC Technicians $77,570/yr Illinois +38.7% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $76,250/yr Illinois +36.3% vs this role
- Telecommunications Line Installers $70,890/yr Illinois +26.7% vs this role
- Millwrights $70,530/yr Illinois +26.1% vs this role
- Bus and Truck Mechanics $69,220/yr Illinois +23.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Welders salary in Illinois?
The average Welders salary in Illinois is $55,930 per year (median $51,320), which is 1.5% below the national average of $56,760.
How does Illinois rank for Welders pay?
Illinois ranks 31st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($80,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Welders make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Welders in Illinois earn about $38,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,500.
How much do Welders make per hour in Illinois?
About $26.89 per hour, based on the $55,930 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Welders work in Illinois?
BLS counts 16,260 Welders jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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