SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 51-4121 · Michigan · Updated 2026

Welder Salary in Detroit, MI

Welders in Detroit, MI earn a median of $41,000/year, ranging from $31,570 (25th percentile) to $65,600 (90th percentile). After Michigan state taxes (4.25%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 89), this is equivalent to $46,067 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$41,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$31,570
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$52,480
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$65,600
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Detroit, MI

P25
P75
P25
$31,570
Median
$41,000
P75
$52,480
P90
$65,600

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$41,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$36,274
After 4.25% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$40,757
vs US average (COL index: 89)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Detroit, MI Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Detroit, MI (current)$41,00089$46,067
San Francisco, CA$67,000186$36,022
New York, NY$64,000187$34,225
Seattle, WA$65,000162$40,123
Boston, MA$59,000162$36,420
Austin, TX$53,000124$42,742

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Detroit, MI?

The median Welder salary in Detroit, MI is $41,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $31,570 and the 90th percentile is $65,600.

Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a Welder?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $41,000 Welder salary in Detroit, MI is equivalent to $46,067 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89, meaning it is 11% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Michigan is approximately 4.25%.

What is the Welder salary range in Detroit, MI?

In Detroit, MI, Welders earn between $31,570 (25th percentile) and $65,600 (90th percentile), with a median of $41,000 per year.

How many Welder jobs are there in Detroit, MI?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 37,500 Welder positions in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area.

What do Welders earn in Detroit, MI?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Welders in Detroit, MI earn a median annual wage of $41,000. The middle 50% earn between $31,570 and $52,480. The top 10% earn more than $65,600. There are approximately 37,500 Welders employed in the Detroit, MI metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.

Is Detroit, MI a good place for a Welder?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100), making it 11% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Welder in Detroit, MI earning $41,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,067 relative to the US median. Michigan has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.25%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $41,000 in Detroit, MIhas the same purchasing power as $46,067 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Detroit, MI with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.