Pay data / Welders / Salary / Illinois
Welder Salary
in Illinois
Welders in Illinois (IL) earn a median of $54,800 a year, about $26 an hour. That runs roughly 12% above the national median for welders, with most earning between $38,100 and $81,700.
Bottom 10%
$38,100
IL Median
$54,800
Top 10%
$81,700
Welder pay by experience in Illinois
- Entry / Fabricator$35,600$17/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$54,800$26/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$79,500$38/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in Illinois metros
- Chicago$54,400$26/hr
- Aurora$54,700$26/hr
- Rockford$52,500$25/hr
Certification in Illinois
Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work.
Frequently asked
- How much do welders make in Illinois?
- Welders in Illinois earn a median of $54,800 per year, about $26 per hour. That is roughly 12% above the national median. Most earn between $38,100 and $81,700.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in Illinois?
- Among Illinois's major metros, Aurora tends to pay welders the most, near $54,700 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in Illinois?
- Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work. In Illinois, employers hire on certifications and demonstrated skill rather than a state license.
Welder pay in other states
Figures are estimates for 2026, anchored to national wage data and localized for Illinois by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.