Skilled trades
welder salary in Illinois
The median welder in Illinois earns $51,320 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 5% below the national median of $53,750, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $76,730.
STATE MEDIAN
$51,320
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$76,730
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
16,260
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
-5%
Below national median
What do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn in Illinois?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$38,890
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$46,500
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$51,320
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$61,520
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$76,730
Top earning range
How does Illinois compare to national earnings?
Illinois pays 5% below the national median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. That makes cost discipline more important, especially if you are choosing between a free apprenticeship path, a community college certificate, and a private program.
Illinois
$51,320
State median annual wage
National median
$53,750
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a welder in Illinois?
In Illinois, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Illinois can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Illinois.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Illinois?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $4,277 in Illinois, that works out to about 1.9%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Skilled trades guide
Read the full skilled trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
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electrician salary in Illinois
See how a related trade in the same cluster pays in the same state.
Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about welder pay in Illinois
What is the average welder salary in Illinois?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $51,320 for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Illinois, with the top 10% above $76,730.
Is welder a good career in Illinois?
Illinois currently has 16,260 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $51,320.
How do you become a welder in Illinois?
In Illinois, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Illinois can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Where does Illinois rank for welder earnings?
Illinois is below the national median for this trade. State median: $51,320. National median: $53,750.
What does welder training cost in Illinois?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Illinois.