How Much Do Welders Make in 2026? Welder Salary Guide

Welders in the United States earn a median salary of $53,750 per year, or $25.84 per hour, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2025, released in 2026).

Pay varies widely depending on experience, location, industry, certifications, and the type of welding you do. The lowest-paid 10% of welders earn less than $39,240 per year, while the highest-paid 10% earn more than $77,530 before overtime and other premium pay.

What does that mean in practice? A new or lower-paid welder may start around the lower end of the national range, while experienced welders working in higher-paying industries, specialized roles, or overtime-heavy jobs can earn substantially more.

One important detail: BLS wage figures represent straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and several other premium payments. That is why the actual annual earnings of some industrial, pipeline, traveling, and specialized welders can be much higher than the national wage benchmarks.

How Much Do Welders Make per Hour, Week, Month, and Year?

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025, released 2026), welders earn a median annual wage of about $53,750, or roughly $25.84 per hour. This figure covers welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers together (SOC 51-4121), across roughly 416,000 workers nationwide.

One note on the data: the official May 2025 figures are the newest available — their release was delayed by the late-2025 federal government shutdown, so many salary guides are still quoting older 2024 numbers. The figures here reflect the current release. 

There’s another metric often used to measure pay: the mean (average) salary, which can be skewed by outliers at the high and low ends of the scale. Indeed (updated August 31, 2026) currently reports an average base wage of about $24.56 per hour based on 27,600 salary observations from job postings.

The median represents the middle point of earnings – half of workers make more and half make less – which makes it a more realistic benchmark for most welders. The mean (average) tends to read higher because it's pulled upward by a small number of very high earners; by the same BLS data, the national mean is about $56,760 per year ($27.29 per hour). 

But that single number hides a wide range. Here's how welder pay actually breaks down across the workforce:

Welder pay by percentile — BLS OEWS, May 2025

In other words, the best-paid 10% of welders earn nearly double what the lowest-paid 10% take home, about $77,530 a year versus $39,240. What moves you up that range comes down to four things: location, specialization, certification, and experience. The subsequent sections break down the key factors that shape pay and provide a clearer picture of what different types of welding jobs actually offer.

Welder Salary by State and Location

Pay varies dramatically by location due to cost of living, industry mix, and demand for skilled labor. Below are the states with the highest and lowest average wages for welders, based on the most recent BLS data (OEWS, May 2025).

Top 10 States with the Highest Welders’ Salary

If we look at the trends, the average welder’s salary is significantly higher in Alaska and Hawaii, which may be due to geographic isolation, higher living costs, and the need to attract skilled labor from outside.

5 States with the Lowest Welders’ Salary

Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama are among the regions with the lowest hourly rates for welders. However, that’s because they have lower costs of living and a stronger concentration of agriculture, light manufacturing, and service-based industries

Metropolitan vs Non-metropolitan Areas

It's tempting to assume city jobs always pay more, but for welders, that's not quite how it works. Within a given state, metro areas usually edge out rural ones, yet the highest-paying areas nationwide are often remote, high-cost, or energy-driven regions, where employers pay a premium to attract welders regardless of city size. In fact, the two best-paying areas in the country are both non-metropolitan.

Welder Salary by Type and Specialization

Different welding roles can have very different pay scales. Below are typical salary ranges for common welder specializations, sourced from Zip Recruiter and the American Welding Society:

Source: ZipRecruiter, 2026; underwater entry/experienced ranges per the American Welding Society (AWS). 

MIG Welder Salary

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is considered a basic to intermediate process, so pay is moderate compared to other specializations. The average hourly wage is $20, which translates to about $41,900 per year. It's where most welders start, and it's the foundation for nearly every other specialization.

TIG Welder Salary

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding requires high precision and typically pays more than MIG welding due to the skill involved. The average hourly rate is around $23, while annual salaries average about $48,000.

Pipe Welder Salary 

Pipe welders average around $57,700 a year, but those working on oil and gas pipelines, high-pressure transmission lines, refineries, and similar infrastructure would earn considerably more, averaging roughly $71,600 ($34/hour). The work is physically demanding and often takes place in remote locations, which is exactly why it's one of the better-paid hands-on welding paths.

Underwater Welder Salary

Underwater welding pay is unusually difficult to summarize with one number because workers are commercial divers first, and compensation varies by depth, assignment, offshore/onshore work, overtime, and diving responsibilities. As per AWS, entry-level underwater welders make $40,000 to $60,000.

Yes, pay is high, but only for very experienced commercial divers (with welding and diving skills), around $80,000 to over $150,000 annually

Certified Welding Inspector

A Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a quality-control specialist who inspects welds. It’s more of a career advancement that most welders aspire to achieve.

Moving from production welding into inspection can change both responsibilities and compensation. The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential is commonly associated with welding inspection and quality-control roles rather than simply acting as a pay raise for the same welding job.

CWIs earn well above the median because they oversee welding on important projects. They earn well above most hands-on welders, averaging about $66,500 a year, with top earners reaching $88,500+. For many welders, earning the AWS CWI credential is the clearest path to higher, more stable pay.

Highest Paying Industries for Welders

As mentioned earlier, welding is employed in nearly every sector. However, certain sectors consistently pay more for welders due to the skills and risks involved. Among the top-paying industries are:

Air Transportation

Welders here work on aircraft repair, structural maintenance, and precision components. Though only 0.01% of welders are employed in this field, the pay scale is among the highest With an average earning of $49.47 per hour and earnings of $117,930 per year, you can estimate the high level of skill required. 

Natural Gas Extraction and Distribution 

Roughly 0.81% of welders work in this sector that supports the oil and gas industry through pipeline welding and infrastructure projects. The work can be physically demanding and often takes place in remote locations, but pay is very good: about $98,840 per year.

Other pipeline transportation

A catch-all for pipelines moving products other than oil and gas; the same high-pressure, high-stakes welding keeps pay near the top, roughly $96,850 per year.

Electric Power Sector 

This industry employs only 0.29% of welders, but salaries are consistently high due to the technical nature of the work. Welders are engaged in maintaining and repairing power generation plants, transmission systems, and distribution equipment. The average pay stands at $94,490 per year.

Pipeline transportation of crude oil

Welding on crude oil pipelines combines physical demands, remote postings, and tight integrity standards, all of which push wages well above the national average, reaching about $92,280 per year.

Petroleum & coal products manufacturing

Refineries and processing plants need welders for high-pressure vessels and piping, where the materials and conditions require serious expertise. The average payment is roughly $91,890 per year. 

By contrast, most welding jobs are in manufacturing — fabricated metal products and machinery alone employ over 150,000 welders — which pays closer to the national median but offers far steadier, more plentiful work. The takeaway: the highest-paying industries mean competing for a small number of specialized roles, while manufacturing is the most consistent way into the trade.

What Affects a Welder’s Salary?

The numbers above show how much welder pay can vary. Here's what actually drives those differences, the core factors that move a welder up or down the pay scale.

Experience and Skill Level

Like any other field, experience is one of the most critical drivers of pay. Entry-level or apprentice welders usually earn salaries below the median, often starting between $30,000 and $38,000 per year. With 5 years of experience, welders can expect to earn $50,000 to $70,000, and more in specialized industries.

Industry and Sector

Welding jobs exist across nearly all sectors: construction, pipeline, manufacturing, aerospace, and more. The nature of the work varies, and so does the pay.

As the industry breakdown above shows, manufacturing employs the most welders at wages near the national median, while specialized fields like air transportation and oil & gas pipelines pay far more (over $90,000 a year) despite hiring relatively few welders.

Certifications

Welding is a vocational skill, but documented proof of ability is mostly necessary. Certifications from bodies like the American Welding Society (AWS) are not only required for many industrial jobs but also give welders an edge in pay. We have detailed a complete process on how to get a welding certificate in a separate post.

For example, the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential significantly boosts earnings. ZipRecruiter reports that CWIs average $66,500, well above the national median of $53,750.

Specialization and Welding Process

Precision welding processes such as MIG and TIG welding, or demanding jobs like pipe welding, pay more than basic shop welding. At the far end of the scale, specialized fields such as underwater (hyperbaric) welding or aerospace welding command premiums can earn $80,000 to over $150,000. More detail on specific welding salaries is covered above.

Geographic Location

Cost of living and local industry demand shape salaries. Isolated states such as Alaska or Hawaii offer above-average pay, while in rural or lower-cost states, the welder’s wage sits below the national median. A detailed state-by-state breakdown is provided in the later sections.

Union vs Non-Union

Union compensation varies by local agreement and may include defined wage scales, overtime rules, pension contributions, health benefits, and other benefits. Compare the full compensation package rather than hourly pay alone.

Ready to Start Your High-Earning Welding Career? Get the Right Tools

As we have seen, welding not only offers solid salaries and long-term stability, but also gives you a skill that is practical and creative.

Like any career, to excel well in your field, getting the right equipment and tools is very important. Currently, if we look at the market options, xTool MetalFab stands out. It’s based on modern laser welding technology, but it’s not just an ordinary welder; but a complete desktop metal studio built into it. 

Why xTool Metalfab is Relevant for Beginners/Aspiring Welders

xTool Metalfab is built to make welding accessible for everyone. To reach that goal, we have ensured that it delivers professional-grade performance wrapped in a user-friendly package.

All-in-One Platform: Combines laser welding, CNC metal cutting, and cleaning in one machine, allowing beginners to get exposure to multiple metalworking skills without buying separate machines.

User-Friendly and Safe: The controls are intuitive, the safety features are strong (safety interlock loop, emergency stop, grip-sensing buttons), and many parameters are preset.

Precision Practice: Laser welding makes narrow, clean welds with minimal heat-affected zones. Dual cameras (panoramic + close-range) help position and track the work accurately.

Ready to get into a creative and lucrative venture? With xTool Metalfab, the first step has never been easier. Explore it today and see how it can jumpstart your welding journey.

FAQs

What is the average hourly and annual pay for welders in the United States in 2026?

According to the latest BLS data used in this guide, the median U.S. welder earns $25.84 per hour, or $53,750 per year. The national mean is slightly higher at $27.29 per hour, or $56,760 per year. The top 10% of welders earn more than $77,530 annually, before overtime and other premium pay.

How much more do certified or specialty welders typically earn compared with general welders?

Specialization does not automatically guarantee higher pay, but certain skills can create a significant premium. TIG welders average about $48,000 per year, while pipe welders average around $57,700. Pipeline welders in oil and gas average roughly $71,600, about 33% above the national median. Certified Welding Inspectors average about $66,500, while experienced underwater welders may earn $80,000 to $150,000+ depending on diving experience, location, and assignments.

Which U.S. states and industries pay welders the most after adjusting for cost of living?

The guide does not calculate a formal cost-of-living-adjusted ranking. In nominal wages, Alaska ($80,100), Hawaii ($77,430), Wyoming ($67,990), Connecticut ($66,800), and Washington ($66,340) are among the highest-paying states. However, Alaska and Hawaii also have relatively high living costs, so states such as Wyoming, North Dakota, and Louisiana may offer stronger purchasing power in some locations.

By industry, the highest-paying sectors include scheduled air transportation ($117,930), natural gas distribution ($98,840), other pipeline transportation ($96,850), electric power generation and distribution ($94,490), and crude-oil pipeline transportation ($92,880).

What is the typical pay progression from apprentice to journeyman to master welder?

Entry-level or apprentice welders typically start around $30,000 to $38,000 per year. With roughly five years of experience, skilled welders may earn $50,000 to $70,000, particularly when they add pipe, industrial, or other specialized skills.

What practical steps can a welder take in the next 6–12 months to increase their pay?

The fastest route to higher pay is usually to qualify for harder-to-fill work. Over the next 6–12 months, welders can improve their earning potential by gaining additional welding certifications, becoming proficient in processes such as TIG and pipe welding, learning to work with multiple materials and positions, and targeting higher-paying industries such as energy, pipelines, power generation, and specialized transportation.

Experienced welders may also consider progressing toward inspection credentials such as the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), taking jobs that involve travel or overtime, or building complementary skills such as blueprint reading, fabrication, fit-up, and quality control.