Welder in Racine, WI

The Salary Picture: Where Racine Stands

As a local, I’ll tell you straight: Racine isn’t a high-wage welding hub like the booming oil fields of Texas or the aerospace corridors of Washington. It’s a solid, Midwest industrial town where your paycheck will stretch, but you won’t be getting rich. The median salary for a welder here is $48,846/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.48/hour. That’s slightly below the national average of $49,590/year, but the lower cost of living more than makes up for the difference.

The job market is stable but not explosive. There are about 153 welding jobs in the Racine metro area, and the 10-year job growth is a modest 2%. This isn't a place for rapid career hopping; it's about finding a good shop, mastering your craft, and building a life. The big employers here are in manufacturing, heavy equipment, and food production—sectors that need skilled, reliable welders but aren't tied to the volatile tech or energy markets.

To give you a clearer picture of how your earnings can grow with experience, here’s a breakdown. These are typical ranges based on local shop classifications and what I’ve seen in the job postings from USW Local 822 and other major unions.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Local Salary Range	Hourly Equivalent
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$38,000 - $45,000	$18.25 - $21.63
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$48,000 - $58,000	$23.08 - $27.88
Senior	8-15 years	$58,000 - $68,000	$27.88 - $32.69
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$68,000+	$32.69+

How does this stack up against other Wisconsin cities? Milwaukee, just 30 miles north, has a larger job market (more than double the postings) and slightly higher salaries, often by 5-10%. However, the commute and parking costs eat into that. Green Bay is more comparable, with a similar cost of living and salary structure. Madison has more diverse tech-manufacturing jobs but a significantly higher cost of living, especially for rent. For a welder who values a manageable commute and affordability, Racine is a strong contender.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. A single filer earning $48,846/year in Wisconsin will have approximately $37,500 left after federal and state taxes (assuming standard deductions). That’s about $3,125/month. With Racine’s average 1BR rent at $842/month, you’re left with $2,283 for everything else: utilities, a car payment (essential here), groceries, and savings.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a welder living alone in a standard 1BR apartment:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$842	Average for the city; more downtown, less in the suburbs.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Internet)	$180	Wisconsin winters will spike your gas bill.
Car (Payment/Insurance/Gas)	$500	Non-negotiable. There’s no real public transit to the industrial parks.
Groceries & Household	$400	Aldi and Pick 'n Save are the go-to’s.
Health Insurance	$200	If through an employer plan, likely less.
Miscellaneous/Savings	$161	Tight, but doable.
Total	$2,283	Leaves a small buffer.

Can you afford to buy a home? On this single income, it’s a stretch but possible with discipline. The median home price in Racine is around $210,000. A 20% down payment is $42,000. With the $161/month left in the budget above, it would take over 20 years to save for that down payment without major lifestyle changes. However, many welders here are in union shops with better benefits, overtime opportunities, or have dual incomes. If you’re willing to live in a more affordable neighborhood and tackle a fixer-upper, homeownership is a realistic goal within 5-7 years for a mid-career welder with savings discipline.

Where the Jobs Are: Racine's Major Employers

Racine’s industrial base is anchored in manufacturing. You won’t find a lot of boutique metal art studios, but you will find heavy-duty, production-line welding. The jobs are concentrated in the industrial parks along Highway 20, near the I-94 corridor, and in the Mount Pleasant area.

1. SC Johnson (The Johnson Wax Building): A Racine icon. While their main plant is more chemical and product-focused, their facilities maintenance team and contractors need skilled welders for plant upkeep and custom fabrication projects. It’s a prestigious, stable shop with excellent benefits. Hiring is slow and competitive; you often need an inside connection or a stellar resume.

2. Pentair (Formerly VTM): A major manufacturer of water solutions, located in the heart of Racine’s industrial district. They have continuous production lines and a large fabrication department. This is a classic union shop (USW) with structured pay scales, regular overtime, and strong safety protocols. They frequently hire for 2nd and 3rd shift positions.

3. Mitsubishi Electric (Mount Pleasant): Technically in Mount Pleasant, but it’s part of the Racine metro economy. They build HVAC and industrial equipment. The work is precise, often involving TIG welding on aluminum and stainless steel. It’s a cleaner, more automated environment than a traditional fabrication shop. Great for welders who want to move into precision manufacturing.

4. Kohler Co. (Auburn Plastics Division): While Kohler’s headquarters is in Sheboygan, their Auburn Plastics division in Racine has a significant metal fabrication and assembly component. They make parts for commercial and residential plumbing. Work here can be cyclical but pays well, often above the median wage due to their high-end market.

5. Bridgestone (Sturtevant): Just north of Racine in Sturtevant, this tire manufacturing plant has a massive maintenance and engineering department. Welders here work on plant infrastructure, conveyor systems, and custom tooling. The environment is loud, hot, and industrial. Pay is top-tier, often exceeding $30/hour for experienced welders, but the shift work is demanding.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward automation and robotics. Shops are looking for welders who aren’t just button-pushers but can program, troubleshoot, and maintain robotic welding cells. Certifications in GMAW (MIG) and FCAW (flux-cored) are standard; having GTAW (TIG) or experience with orbital welding will make you stand out. Hiring is steady but slow; don’t expect rapid turnover. The best time to look is in Q1 (post-holiday slowdown) and Q3 (as companies gear up for year-end production).

Getting Licensed in WI

Wisconsin has a straightforward approach to welding credentials. The state does not require a state-issued license to be a welder. Your ticket to employment is your skill and your certifications.

However, the industry standard is governed by the American Welding Society (AWS). Here’s the practical path:

1. Education (Optional but Recommended): You can go through a formal program. Gateway Technical College in Racine (right on the edge of town) offers a well-regarded Welding Technology program. It’s a 1-year technical diploma that costs about $4,000-$6,000 (depending on residency) and includes AWS certifications. This is the fastest route if you’re starting from zero.
2. Apprenticeship (The Union Route): The United Steelworkers (USW) Local 822 and other trade unions offer apprenticeship programs. These are paid, on-the-job training programs that last 3-5 years. You earn while you learn, starting at 50-60% of a journeyman’s wage and increasing annually. You’ll need to apply, pass an aptitude test, and interview. It’s competitive but leads directly to a union job with excellent benefits.
3. Direct Entry & On-the-Job Training: Many shops will hire someone with basic experience and train them on specific equipment. This is common. You’ll learn the shop’s specific procedures and may need to get AWS certifications (like D1.1 structural) on your own time or through employer-sponsored testing.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Fastest Path (OJT): 1-3 months of searching and interviewing.
• Community College Path: 1 year of full-time study.
• Union Apprenticeship: 3-5 years, but you’re paid the whole time.

Insider Tip: Even if you don’t go through a formal program, buy a cheap welding helmet and practice. Build a portfolio of your work. A photo of a clean, full-penetration weld on a test plate is worth a thousand words in an interview.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Racine is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and where you live affects your commute and lifestyle. The industrial jobs are clustered in the west and north. Here’s where to look:

1. Uptown (West): This is the classic, affordable residential area. It’s close to the I-94 interchange, making for a 10-20 minute commute to most industrial parks. You’ll find older, smaller homes and duplexes. It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical. Rent for a 1BR is around $750-$850.
2. Mount Pleasant (North): Technically a separate village, but it’s where the action is. This is home to Mitsubishi, Bridgestone, and many other manufacturers. It’s more suburban, with newer apartment complexes and subdivisions. The commute to work is often under 10 minutes. It’s a bit pricier. Rent for a 1BR is $900-$1,100.
3. Downtown Racine (Lakefront): This is for the welder who wants a different lifestyle. It’s walkable, right on Lake Michigan, with breweries, coffee shops, and a vibrant arts scene. The commute to the industrial parks is 15-25 minutes. It’s cleaner and more scenic, but parking can be a hassle and rent is higher. Rent for a 1BR is $950-$1,200.
4. The Root River Parkway Area (South): This is a quieter, more working-class neighborhood. It’s closer to the smaller job shops and the SC Johnson campus. The commute is easy, and the area feels more "neighborhoody." Rent for a 1BR is $700-$850.
5. Burlington (30 mins west): If you don’t mind a short highway drive, Burlington offers a small-town vibe with significantly cheaper housing. Many welders commute into Racine for the higher pay. It’s a trade-off: lower rent vs. more time and gas money. Rent for a 1BR can be as low as $650-$750.

Insider Tip: Drive the commute from your potential apartment to the job you’re targeting during rush hour. The I-94 corridor is your main artery, and a 10-mile drive can take 25 minutes if there’s an accident. Always factor in winter weather.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Racine, career growth isn’t about rapid title changes; it’s about specialization and becoming indispensable. The 2% job growth means you’re not likely to climb a corporate ladder in a single company. Instead, you build a reputation.

• Specialty Premiums: Adding certifications can bump your pay significantly. A welder with AWS D1.1 Structural Steel certification is baseline. Add D1.6 (Stainless) or D1.2 (Aluminum) and you can command $2-$4 more per hour. If you get into API 1104 (pipeline) or ASME Section IX (pressure vessels), you’re in a small, high-demand group. These are rare but highly valued by companies like Pentair or custom fabricators.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is:
  1. Production Welder: You run the line. It’s repetitive but steady.
  2. Senior/Lead Welder: You train new hires, troubleshoot equipment, and handle complex welds.
  3. Welding Supervisor/Foreman: This moves you off the tools and into planning, scheduling, and quality control. It requires leadership skills and a deep understanding of the process.
  4. CWI (Certified Welding Inspector): This is a game-changer. A CWI can inspect welds across multiple shops, often as a consultant. It requires passing a rigorous AWS exam (costs ~$1,200 for the seminar and exam). In a manufacturing hub like Racine, a CWI is highly respected and can earn $70,000+.
• 10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable but requires adaptability. Automation will eliminate some entry-level jobs but create more roles for technicians who can program and maintain robotic welders. The demand for skilled, certified welders for maintenance and custom fabrication will remain strong. The key is to avoid becoming a one-trick pony. Learn to read blueprints, understand metallurgy, and maybe even get a basic CNC mill operator certification. The welder who can also run the CNC plasma cutter is the welder who gets promoted.

The Verdict: Is Racine Right for You?

Racine isn’t for everyone. It’s a working city with a proud industrial heritage, a stunning lakefront, and a complex social fabric. It’s a place to build a stable life, not necessarily a place to chase a dream job in a cutting-edge field.

Here’s the bottom line:

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living: Your paycheck goes far, especially for a Midwest city on the Great Lakes.	Limited High-Tech Manufacturing: You won’t be welding for SpaceX or Tesla here.
Stable, Established Employers: Companies like SC Johnson and Pentair have been here for decades.	Modest Job Growth: The market isn’t expanding rapidly; competition for the best jobs is steady.
Strong Union Presence: USW Local 822 provides a clear career path and strong benefits for many.	Weather: Long, gray winters with heavy snow can be a mental and physical challenge.
Lake Michigan Access: The lakefront is an incredible, free resource for recreation and mental health.	Economic Segregation: The city has clear divides between affluent and struggling neighborhoods.
Central Location: Easy drive to Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison for day trips or even commutes.	Transit is Limited: You absolutely need a reliable car.

Final Recommendation: Racine is an excellent choice for a welder who is:

• Practical and financially minded: You value a lower rent and steady paycheck over a flashy salary.
• Looking for stability: You want a job at a place where you can stay for 10+ years and earn a pension.
• Appreciates an authentic, no-frills city: You like blue-collar culture, don’t need a trendy nightlife, and enjoy the outdoors.
• Willing to specialize: You’re motivated to get certified and move beyond basic production welding.

If you’re a risk-taker who wants to be on the cutting edge, look to Milwaukee, Austin, or the Pacific Northwest. But if you want a solid foundation to build a life, Racine deserves your serious consideration.

FAQs

1. Is the job market for welders really as stable as it seems?
Yes, but with a caveat. The core manufacturing employers (Pentair, Mitsubishi, etc.) are stable and rarely do mass layoffs. However, the smaller job shops are more vulnerable to economic swings. The key is to get into a union shop or a major manufacturer early in your career for the best job security.

2. Do I need to know how to weld before applying for jobs?
It depends on the shop. For production welding at a place like Bridgestone, they expect you to be productive from day one—you’ll need experience and certifications. For smaller shops or apprenticeships, they may be willing to train someone with a basic understanding and a good attitude. Your best bet is to have at least the AWS D1.1 certification.

3. What’s the deal with the union in Racine?
The United Steelworkers (USW) Local 822 is a major force. They represent workers at Pentair, SC Johnson, and other plants. Being in the union means higher base pay, guaranteed raises, excellent health insurance, and a pension. The trade-off is union dues and less individual flexibility. It’s highly recommended to investigate the union apprenticeship if you’re just starting out.

4. How do I stand out in an interview?
Bring a portfolio. Even if it’s just photos of practice welds on scrap metal, it shows initiative. Be prepared to talk about specific processes (GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) and your experience with different materials (mild steel, stainless, aluminum). Mention safety first—OSHA 10 or 30 certification is a huge plus. Show that you’re reliable, not just skilled.

5. Is it feasible to commute from Milwaukee?
Many people do it, but it’s a trade-off. You’ll get a Milwaukee salary (which can be 10% higher) but spend more on