Welder in Kenosha, WI

As a career analyst who's spent a fair bit of time in Kenosha, I can tell you this city has a unique position in the manufacturing world. It's got that old-school industrial grit, anchored by giants like Uline and Jockey, but it's also right on the edge of the Chicago metro, pulling talent and opportunity from both sides. For a welder, this is a place where your skills are in demand, but the lifestyle and cost of living are a world away from the big city. This guide is for you—the welder looking at Kenosha on a map, wondering if the job market holds up, if the pay checks out, and if you can build a life here.

We're going to get into the weeds. No fluff. Just the data, the local employers, the neighborhoods, and the real math of making a living here.

The Salary Picture: Where Kenosha Stands

Let's start with the numbers that matter. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for a welder in the Kenosha metro area is $48,563 per year, which breaks down to a hourly rate of $23.35. That's slightly below the national average of $49,590, but don't let that fool you. When you factor in Kenosha's cost of living—which is 93.1 compared to the U.S. average of 100—that median wage actually goes further here than it does in many parts of the country.

The job market itself is stable but not booming. There are currently 196 welding jobs in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 2%. This isn't a field expecting explosive growth, but it's a core, steady industry. The key for your earning potential is specialization. The "median" is just a starting point. Your exact pay will hinge on your experience, the certifications you hold (like AWS D1.1 for structural steel), and the specific industry you're in.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages in this market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Key Factors in Kenosha
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$36,000 - $42,000	Often starts in production welding, MIG welding on basic assemblies. Expect to learn from the ground up.
Mid-Career	2-5 years	$42,000 - $55,000	This is where you hit the median. You're proficient with MIG, TIG, and stick. You might start specializing.
Senior	5-10 years	$55,000 - $70,000	Certified welder (AWS). You may be a lead hand, doing layout, or working on custom fabrication.
Expert/Inspector	10+ years	$70,000+	Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or specialized pipe welder. This is where the top money is, often in oversight or niche fabrication.

How does Kenosha compare to other Wisconsin cities?

• Milwaukee: Salaries can be 10-15% higher (median ~$53,000-$55,000), but the cost of living is significantly higher, with rents easily 25-30% more than Kenosha. The job count is dramatically higher.
• Green Bay: Very similar to Kenosha in both salary (median ~$47,000-$49,000) and cost of living. It has a similarly strong manufacturing base.
• Madison: Higher salaries (median ~$52,000) but also higher costs, driven by the state government and tech sectors. The welding job market is smaller and more specialized in research and development equipment.

Insider Tip: The $23.35/hour figure is your baseline. If you come in with AWS certifications or experience with specific processes like orbital welding for food-grade pipe (used by companies like Jockey or in dairy processing), you can negotiate starting at $25-$28/hour right off the bat.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary tells you what you earn, but not what you keep. Let's run the numbers for a single welder earning the median salary of $48,563. We'll use a rough take-home estimate of 75% after federal, state (Wisconsin has a progressive income tax), and FICA taxes.

• Annual Gross: $48,563
• Estimated Annual Take-Home: ~$36,422
• Monthly Take-Home: ~$3,035

Now, the biggest monthly expense: housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Kenosha is $1,071/month. That's a solid 35% of your take-home pay, which is at the upper edge of what's considered affordable (the 30% rule). It's doable, but it means you need to be mindful.

Here’s a sample monthly budget breakdown:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	% of Take-Home Pay	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,071	35.3%	Slightly above the ideal 30%, but standard for the city.
Utilities (Elec/Heat/Water)	$150	4.9%	Higher in winter due to heating costs.
Groceries	$350	11.5%	For a single person.
Transportation (Car/Gas/Ins.)	$350	11.5%	Essential; public transit is limited.
Health Insurance (Post-Employer)	$150	4.9%	Varies widely.
Car Payment/Insurance	$300	9.9%	Assumes a modest car payment.
Food/Entertainment	$200	6.6%	Modest budget.
Savings/Debt/Other	$464	15.3%	The remainder for savings, student loans, etc.
TOTAL	$3,035	100%

Can they afford to buy a home? Let's look at the math. The median home price in Kenosha is around $260,000 (as of late 2023). A 20% down payment is $52,000. On a $48,563 salary, saving that amount would take years without extreme frugality. However, a welder's income is stable, and with good credit, a 3-5% down payment is more realistic. A monthly mortgage payment (with taxes and insurance) on a $260k home could be around $1,700-$1,900, which is well over 50% of your take-home pay. This is not feasible on a single median income. The path to homeownership here for a single welder is either a dual-income household or significant career advancement to a higher pay grade, making homeownership a long-term goal, not an immediate one.

Where the Jobs Are: Kenosha's Major Employers

Kenosha's job market is built on heavy manufacturing, food processing, and logistics. Here are the key players you need to know, with details that matter to a welder.

1. Uline: The behemoth. They manufacture shipping supplies and have a massive distribution center. Their in-house fabrication shops need welders for maintaining and modifying their own equipment and building custom racks and containers. This is a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Hiring trends: They expand constantly, so there's always a need for maintenance welders. It's a union shop (Teamsters) with excellent benefits and a path to union scale, which is often above the local median.

2. Jockey International: A global name in apparel, but their Kenosha facility includes a massive fabric processing and dyeing operation. This requires extensive stainless steel and aluminum welding for food-grade sanitary piping and processing tanks. This is specialized work (sanitary welding, orbital welders) that commands a premium. Hiring trends: Steady. They value welders who understand clean-room or sanitary standards.

3. Kenosha County: The county employs welders for its public works department—think maintaining bridges, guardrails, and heavy equipment. It's stable, government work with great benefits and pensions. The pace is slower, but the job security is high. Hiring tends to be seasonal or when someone retires.

4. ACME Die & Engineering / Kenosha Metal Products: These are classic custom fabrication shops. You're building one-off parts, prototypes, and production runs. This is where you'll use a wide variety of skills: MIG, TIG, stick, reading blueprints, and working with mild steel, stainless, and aluminum. Hiring trends: Tied to the broader manufacturing economy. When it's strong, they're hiring.

5. Carthage College: While not a traditional employer, the college's facilities department hires welders for campus maintenance. It's a lower-volume, more varied job that might involve art installations or light manufacturing. It's a hidden gem for someone who wants a less industrial setting.

6. Local Construction & Infrastructure Firms: Companies like Peterson, Berk & Cross (a large local contractor) or R&R Construction hire welders for structural steel work on new builds, especially in the growing industrial parks and commercial developments. This is often project-based, so it can be boom-and-bust.

Insider Tip: The best jobs at places like Jockey or Uline are often not posted publicly. They're filled through word-of-mouth or by temp-to-perm agencies like Manpower or Kelly Services. Getting your foot in the door through a temp agency can be a direct path to a union job with benefits.

Getting Licensed in WI

The good news: Wisconsin does not require a state license to be a welder. You can weld without a government-issued license. However, that doesn't mean you don't need credentials. The industry runs on certifications, primarily from the American Welding Society (AWS).

• AWS Certifications: These are the gold standard. The most common are:
  • AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel): For bridges, buildings, and heavy construction. This is the most common cert for structural welders.
  • AWS D1.6 (Stainless Steel): For food processing, breweries, and architectural work.
  • Pipe Certifications (ASME Section IX): For welding pipe in power plants, refineries, or high-purity systems (like at Jockey).
• Costs: A basic AWS certification test can cost $200 - $500 depending on the testing facility (like a union apprenticeship school or a community college). A full Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential, which is a career game-changer, costs about $1,000 - $1,500 for the exam and study materials.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you're starting from scratch, the best path is a 2-year associate degree from Gateway Technical College in nearby Sturtevant (just 10 minutes away). Their Welding program is excellent and includes AWS certification preparation. You can be job-ready in 18-24 months. If you already have skills, a 1-2 week refresher course and certification test can get you credentialed quickly.
• Apprenticeship: The Ironworkers Local 8 and Pipefitters Local 38 have apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They pay you to learn and lead to journeyman status and union wages.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live determines your daily life. Kenosha is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different feel and price point.

1. Uptown / Historic District: This is the heart of the old city, near the lakefront. It's walkable, with great restaurants and a tight-knit community feel. Rent is higher for the charm. Average 1BR Rent: $1,200 - $1,400/month. Commute to major plants like Uline (on the far west side) is 15-20 minutes by car. Good for someone who wants a social, urban vibe.

2. Somers (West Side): This is where the jobs are. It's home to Uline's massive campus, other industrial parks, and has a more suburban feel with newer apartments and single-family homes. It's a straight shot to work. Average 1BR Rent: $950 - $1,100/month. The commute to most major employers is under 10 minutes. The practical choice.

3. Pleasant Prairie: Technically a separate village, it borders Kenosha to the south. It's known for the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets and has a lot of newer apartment complexes. It's quiet, family-oriented, and offers easy access to I-94. Average 1BR Rent: $1,100 - $1,300/month. A 15-minute commute to the west side industrial area.

4. Downtown Kenosha: The revitalized downtown area, centered around the harbor. It's artsy, with galleries, coffee shops, and the famous streetcar. It's a younger, more eclectic crowd. Average 1BR Rent: $1,000 - $1,200/month. Commutes are similar to Uptown (15-20 mins). Best for welders who value nightlife and culture over a short commute.

5. The North Side (60th St & Sheridan Rd): More affordable, with older apartment buildings and a mix of residential and light commercial. It's a no-frills, practical area. Average 1BR Rent: $850 - $950/month. This is your budget option, putting you closer to the median rent of $1,071. Commute times are still reasonable (15-25 mins).

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Kenosha, career growth is less about climbing a corporate ladder and more about accruing experience and certifications to move into higher-paying niches.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Pipe Welding (ASME Certified): Add $5-$10/hour to your base rate. Essential for work in refineries, power plants, and high-purity systems.
  • Stainless & Aluminum: Specializing in these materials (common in food, dairy, and aerospace) can add $2-$5/hour.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): This is the single biggest career upgrade. Inspectors can earn $70,000 - $90,000+ in this region, moving you from hands-on welding to quality control and oversight.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Lead Hand / Supervisor: Move from a solo welder to a team leader. Requires strong communication and organizational skills.
  2. Fabricator / Fitter: Progress from welding to the entire fabrication process—reading blueprints, cutting, fitting, and then welding.
  3. CWI / QA: The end goal for many. You'll travel between job sites (often in the broader Midwest) to ensure weld quality.
  4. Business Owner: With experience and network, starting a small custom fabrication shop is a viable, if risky, path.

10-Year Outlook: The 2% growth indicates stability, not explosion. Automation (robotic welding) will change the landscape, but it's unlikely to replace skilled manual welders for custom, repair, and complex work. The demand for certified, specialized welders for infrastructure and food-grade systems will hold steady. Your best bet is to become so good at a niche that you're indispensable.

The Verdict: Is Kenosha Right for You?

Let's lay it all out.

Pros	Cons
Strong, Stable Manufacturing Base: Jobs at Uline, Jockey, and fabricators provide steady work.	Lower-Than-National Salary: The median of $48,563 is below the U.S. average.
Low Cost of Living: Your $48,563 goes further here than in Milwaukee or Chicago.	Limited Job Growth: The 2% growth means competition for the best jobs can be tight.
Proximity to Chicago: You can access a massive metro job market (2 hours away) for specialized work, but live in affordable Kenosha.	Harsh Winters: The Lake Michigan effect means cold, snowy winters from November to March. Commutes can be tough.
Good Housing Options: Rent is manageable, and you can find a decent place without breaking the bank.	Car-Dependent: Public transit is limited. You will need a reliable vehicle.
Union Presence: Opportunities for union jobs (Ironworkers, Pipefitters) offer good benefits and wages.	Smaller City Vibe: Fewer entertainment and cultural options compared to a major metro.

Final Recommendation:
Kenosha is an excellent choice for a mid-career welder with a family. The combination of stable jobs, a reasonable cost of living, and good public schools (in suburbs like Pleasant Prairie) creates a solid foundation. It's also a smart move for a younger welder willing to specialize. Come here, get your AWS certs at Gateway, work at a place like Jockey to learn sanitary