Welder Salary in Rochester, MN: $62,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Rochester, MN earns a median $62,789/year (≈ $30.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $69,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected welder salary in Rochester, Minnesota, for 2026 is $62,789, reflecting a notable 12.33% increase over the national median of $55,895. This strong local compensation highlights how welders in the area can potentially earn between $50,487 and $75,237, depending on experience and specialization. These insights come from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizing the thriving local demand for welding professionals. While local shop pay is competitive, traveling pipe welders can often command even higher rates, aided by per-diem arrangements and tax-advantaged work structures. In Rochester's job market, this disparity indicates a range of opportunities for skilled welders looking for lucrative positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,487 | $24.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,122 | $27.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,789 | $30.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,132 | $30.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,237 | $36.17 |
Median Salary Position
12.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,750 (2026 est.). At $62,789, the local median is 12.33% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Welder Pay Compares
Rochester median: $62,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | +12.33% more |
Welders in Rochester, MN earn a median of $62,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $62,789 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,070
2025 BLS Actual
$60,380
2026 Current Est.
$62,789
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 47.0% from $41,070 (2019) to $60,380 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,224 (58.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,487 – $57,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,122 – $62,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,789 – $63,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,132 – $75,237 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Rochester
An important aspect of the welding job market in Rochester is the presence of approximately 510 employed welders within the region, which contributes to a relatively stable environment for job seekers. With a cost-of-living index of 90.821, residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to national averages, which positively affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline projects tend to offer higher salaries, particularly as demand for 6G pipe welders with AWS certification continues to rise. Additionally, mobile welding—potentially a profitable venture—can increase incomes substantially, although it requires a hefty upfront investment in equipment. The variance in pay predominantly arises from factors such as certification level, specialty in high-demand fields like aerospace or nuclear welding, and the dynamics of traveling versus local work. By pursuing relevant certifications and strategically navigating the job market, welders in Rochester can maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,380 for weldersin the Rochester metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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