Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Welder pay in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Champaign-Urbana, IL was $48,610 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $45,040 and $57,020.
The Champaign-Urbana, IL median is $5,140 below the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Lead Welder is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about champaign-Urbana, IL?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,250 | $45,040 | $48,610 | $57,020 | $62,690 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $21.66 | $23.37 | $27.42 | $30.14 |
BLS estimated 100 workers employed in this occupation in Champaign-Urbana, IL. Location quotient: 0.35.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Lead Welder median is $48,610. The all-occupations median in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $50,700. Ratio: 0.96 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.35 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $44,920 | $47,560 | $57,770 |
| May 2025 | $45,040 | $48,610 | $57,020 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Champaign-Urbana, IL. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $47,180 | $38,520 to $57,220 |
| Decatur, IL | $57,670 | $48,840 to $62,760 |
All roles in Champaign-Urbana, IL · National page · Lead Welder ranked across metros