Known as America’s industrial heartland, the Midwest is home to factories, ingenuity, and a passion for metal. And yet, welders remain in high demand across the region. Whether you’re thinking of welding as a career path or profiling this field professionally, the need for skilled welders is strong due to manufacturing, infrastructure, and an aging skilled workforce.
Here’s a deeper look at where the welding opportunities are concentrated in the Midwest and why.
National Landscape: Why Welding Still Matters
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers numbered about 454,500 in 2023, earning a median wage of $51,000 per year, around $24.52 per hour. Employment growth is expected to be at 2% through 2033, slower than average, but that masks a huge turnover: 45,800 job openings are expected annually, mostly from retirements and job transitions (Ref. 1).
Other projections paint a broader picture. AWS estimates there are currently 771,000 welding professionals in the U.S., but 80,000 welding jobs will need to be filled annually between 2025 and 2029 (Ref. 2).
Why the Midwest Still Builds America
Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, have long dominated U.S. manufacturing. Though factory jobs dipped from 1990 to 2019, the Midwest retained its share of national manufacturing jobs and even increased concentration in some places (Ref. 3).
In 2019, Indiana and Wisconsin had some of the highest location quotients, metrics showing higher-than-average manufacturing employment. Indiana’s quotient was around 2.02, meaning manufacturing jobs were twice the national average, while Wisconsin wasn’t far behind with 1.87. Additionally, data showed that the Midwest had 1.5 times the national average in production occupations, with Indiana particularly high in welding/soldering operator roles (quotient 4.09) (Ref. 3).
In simpler terms, welding is not just a job here. It’s a central part of the economy.
Welding Job Hot Spots Illinois
Illinois ranks fourth nationwide in manufacturing and has plants for Ford, Rivian, Continental Tire, and more. Infrastructure revamps and transit upgrades are fueling demand, with projections suggesting welding jobs could grow at five times the national average by 2032, potentially opening 16,000 jobs (Ref. 4).
According to AWS Past President Dr. W. Richard Polanin, construction equipment manufacturers and suppliers are finding it difficult to recruit apprentices experienced in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW‑P), which are the dominant processes within the region. He also noted that welder salary rates range from $18.50 to $32 per hour, with some shift‑premium opportunities on the higher end.
Michigan
Home to the Big Three, Michigan leads in auto parts, bearings, and heavy equipment manufacturing.
“The main industries that currently need welders in my area are all in the manufacturing sector,” said Cody W. Langlois, weld engineer at JR Automation, Holland, Mich. “This includes sheet metal fabricated product manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, custom fabrication, general construction welding, and machinery manufacturing.”
He also shared that GMAW skills, along with some experience in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and resistance spot welding, are sought after. His research suggests wages run from $16 per hour for beginners to $32 per hour for experienced fabrication welders.
Ryan Crandell, assistant professor from Ferris State University, echoed similar challenges in staffing. He stated there’s a huge demand for competent welders across industries like automotive, aerospace, and specialized fabrication.
“I had three individuals within my welding network reach out in the last two weeks looking for leads on highly skilled welders they could interview,” said Crandell.
Starting wages in general fabrication hover around $15–$20 per hour, with higher pay in aerospace roles. He emphasized that graduates of his program all find jobs or pursue further education.
Ohio
Ohio ranks third nationally in manufacturing jobs with 13,907 manufacturers and 851,775 workers (Ref. 5). Its strengths lie in industrial machinery, fabricated metals, and transport equipment. Leading employers include Honda (Marysville), GE Aviation, Whirlpool, and more.
In 2024, Ohio exported $56.6 billion in manufactured goods, making it one of the nation’s top exporting states (Ref. 6). This translates to above-average demand for welders in both production and repair roles.
Indiana and Wisconsin
Indiana, with one of the highest manufacturing location quotients, has numerous openings for welding operators. Hundreds of job openings were reported as recently as June 2025. Similarly, Wisconsin supports welders with its strong machinery, HVAC, and crane manufacturing sectors.
Iowa and Neighboring States
At Vermeer’s headquarters in Pella, Iowa, operations highlight demand in the state.
“Vermeer currently has the need for 100 welders, 97 for Pella and three for our DM facility,” said Beige Turner, weld engineer I.
The key skill areas currently needed are GMAW and flux cored arc welding (FCAW). Pay starts at $25 per hour, excluding benefits.
Other Midwest states such as Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota follow a pattern of average to above-average shortage. In Minnesota, GTAW and GMAW skills are highly valued, particularly in auto, aerospace, and machinery fabrication. Salaries range from $20 to $30 per hour for GTA welders, and $21.50 to $25 per hour for GMA welders (Ref. 7).
Final Thoughts: Welding’s Bright Midwestern Future
In the Midwest, welding is more than a job. It’s a career with a future. Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa offer solid pay, excellent job security, and numerous opportunities to grow.
While the national median salary hovers around $51,000 per year, Midwestern welders often exceed that, with some roles reaching $32 per hour, especially for those trained in modern processes and specialized fields. Automation is reshaping the role of welders but not replacing them. And opportunities remain strong for those willing to learn and adapt.
Whether you’re a student, educator, employer, or policymaker, the takeaway is clear: In the Midwest, welding is both a legacy craft and a future-ready profession. WJ
References
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm.
2. American Welding Society. Welding Workforce 2025. weldingworkforcedata.com.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. 2020. TED: The Economics Daily. The Midwest states are tooled for production. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/the-midwest-states-are-tooled-for-production.htm.
4. Lincoln Tech. 2025. 7 states with high demand for welders. Lincoln Tech® Blog. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from lincolntech.edu/news/skilled-trades/welding-technology/
7-states-high-demand-welders.
5. IndustrySelect. 2025. Top 10 U.S. states for manufacturing. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from industryselect.com/blog/top-10-us-states-for-manufacturing.
6. Office of the United States Trade Representative. Ohio. ustr.gov/map/state-benefits/oh?.
7. Express Employment Professionals. 2025. Understanding the demand for skilled welders in Minnesota. Retrieved August 15, 2025, from expresschan.com/2025/01/15/understanding-the-demand-for-skilled-welders-in-minnesota.
Fig: JR Automation Weld Engineer Casey Phipps develops automated GTAW schedules. (All photos courtesy of JR Automation.)