Salary guide, May 2025
TIG Welder pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $52,650 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,270 and $61,750.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $1,100 below the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The TIG Welder title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,130 | $46,270 | $52,650 | $61,750 | $74,450 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.81 | $22.24 | $25.31 | $29.69 | $35.79 |
BLS estimated 9,320 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 0.77.
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 TIG Welder median is $52,650. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 0.96 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.77 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 | $44,200 | $50,700 | $59,960 |
| May 2025 | $46,270 | $52,650 | $61,750 |
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, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $47,460 | $40,490 to $58,590 |
| Niles, MI | $49,040 | $45,880 to $58,400 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the median annual salary for a TIG Welder is $52,650. This reflects a $1,950 increase from the May 2024 median of $50,700. The middle-band width is $15,480, spanning from a P25 of $46,270 to a P75 of $61,750.
Manufacturing Headhunters points out that since this role falls under SOC 51-4121, the data aggregates all welding functions across the metro area. Because the BLS provides an inclusive rather than granular classification, managers must perform their own technical screening to verify candidate skills in GTAW on stainless or thin-wall aluminum.
The local median is lower than the national median of $53,750. The national middle-band width is $16,220. National occupational industry wages for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing are $99,570, while Chemical Manufacturing is $76,240. Managers should remember that these BLS statistics exclude important pay drivers such as shift differentials, bonuses, and fringe benefits. Since base earnings represent only a portion of total compensation, these annual medians are often lower than what is offered for specialized roles requiring aerospace or pharmaceutical certifications.
The Chicago metro area reports 9,320 in employment with a location quotient of 0.77. Nearby areas provide comparative markers: Kankakee, IL at $47,460 and Niles, MI at $49,040. The concentration of this occupation in Chicago is below the U.S. average. Because screening for technical needs, like D17.1 qualifications, is performed outside the BLS data collection process, hiring managers should treat the P25 and P75 as base guidelines. Adjusting pay structures based on internal facility needs and specialized TIG skills is essential to attracting qualified candidates in the Chicago market.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the Chicago median for TIG welders consistent with the national average?
The Chicago median of $52,650 is lower than the $53,750 national average. Chicago currently shows a base wage profile below the U.S. benchmark for this occupational group.
What is the limitation of using SOC 51-4121 for TIG hiring?
SOC 51-4121 is a broad code that does not differentiate by welding technique or industry-required certifications. It captures the full spectrum of welder pay rather than specific TIG-level rates.
What is the middle-band width for Chicago?
The middle-band width for Chicago is $15,480. This is determined by the spread between the P75 of $61,750 and the P25 of $46,270.
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