Welder.
Minneapolis.
$52,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$47,000 to $63,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Welder pay in Minneapolis at $52,000, within a range of $47,000 to $63,000. That is 2% above the national average. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Welder in Minneapolis, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $61,880 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan area, based on 4,600 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$48,350
25th percentile
$55,020
Median
$61,880
75th percentile
$72,140
90th percentile
$76,650
Workers surveyed
4,600
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) rather than Welder specifically. The Minneapolis range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 51-4121Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $47,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$34,000
to $42,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$44,000
to $55,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$57,000
to $68,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$65,000
to $81,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $15,000 to the total package.
Base
$52,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $67,000
How Minneapolis compares.
Minneapolis, MN
$52,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$51,000
Minneapolis is $1,000 above
Welder salary by city.
Salary by role in Minneapolis.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Welder roles in Minneapolis, here is what you are walking into. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. Certification type drives the largest pay differences. TIG and pipe welders earn 20 to 35% more than MIG welders doing structural or production work. Welders certified for exotic alloys like titanium, Inconel, or stainless steel in aerospace or nuclear applications earn peak rates. Travel welding and shutdown work offer premium per diem packages.
Welding apprentices start at $30,000 to $36,000, advancing to journeyman welder at $40,000 to $55,000 in three to four years. Certified pipe welders earn $60,000 to $80,000, while welding inspectors (CWI) and supervisors reach $75,000 to $100,000 in industrial settings. In Minneapolis, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Per diem payments for travel welders add $75 to $150 daily, potentially adding $18,000 to $35,000 annually. Union welders receive pension and health benefits worth $10,000 to $18,000. Tool and safety equipment allowances of $500 to $1,500 are standard. And on the tax side: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $52,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for Welders in Minneapolis runs from $47,000 to $63,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Customer Service Representative in Minneapolis earns $47,000 (10% less)
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Common questions.
Welder salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Minneapolis.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Welder Salary in Minneapolis, MN." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/welder/minneapolis
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