Welder Salary Guide in 2026: $35K–$80K Breakdown
Considering starting a career in welding? But not quite sure if it's worth the effort? This is a complete welder salary breakdown for anyone who needs to know about the average welding salary, the factors that influence earnings, how pay differs across states, and which industries offer the best opportunities.
What is the Average Welder Salary in the United States?
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.
| Pay Period | Typical Welder Pay |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $25.84 |
| Per week | ~$1,034 |
| Per month | ~$4,479 |
| Per year | $53,750 |
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. As per Indeed (updated June 15, 2026), the average welder salary in the United States is about $60,198 per year ($24.28 per hour).
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:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (median) | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
| Annual | $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
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.
| Rank | State | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $38.51 | $80,100 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $37.23 | $77,430 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $32.69 | $67,990 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $32.12 | $66,800 |
| 5 | Washington | $31.89 | $66,340 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $31.28 | $65,050 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $31.19 | $64,880 |
| 8 | Nevada | $31.05 | $64,590 |
| 9 | Maryland | $30.97 | $64,410 |
| 10 | Louisiana | $30.65 | $63,750 |
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
| State | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $24.05 | $50,020 |
| Tennessee | $24.26 | $50,450 |
| Alabama | $24.58 | $51,120 |
| Georgia | $24.77 | $51,520 |
| South Dakota | $24.99 | $51,980 |
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.
| Metropolitan Areas | Hourly Mean Wage IN MA | Annual Mean Wage IN MA | Non-Metropolitan Areas | Hourly Mean Wage IN NMA | Annual Mean Wage IN NMA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks, AK | $40.05 | $83,300 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $39.98 | $83,160 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $38.17 | $79,390 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $37.53 | $78,060 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $37.02 | $76,990 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $34.22 | $71,180 |
| Anchorage, AK | $35.58 | $74,000 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $34.07 | $70,870 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $34.82 | $72,430 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $33.78 | $70,270 |
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 Insert 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 is often portrayed as “high-risk, high-pay,” but average salaries are more moderate. Their average hourly rate is around $22 per hour. 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.
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 ($32/hour), with top earners reaching $88,500+. For many welders, earning the AWS CWI credential is the clearest path to higher, more stable pay.
| Specialization | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MIG Welder | ~$20 | ~$41,900 |
| TIG Welder | ~$23 | ~$48,000 |
| Pipe Welder | ~$28 | ~$57,700 |
| Pipeline Welder (oil & gas) | ~$34 | ~$71,600 |
| Underwater Welder | ~$40 | $80,000–$150,000+ (experienced divers) |
| CWI (Inspector) | ~$42 | top earners ~$88,500 |
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:
| Industry | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled air transportation | $56.70 | $117,930 |
| Natural gas distribution | $47.52 | $98,840 |
| Other pipeline transportation | $46.56 | $96,850 |
| Electric power generation, transmission & distribution | $45.43 | $94,490 |
| Pipeline transportation of crude oil | $44.65 | $92,880 |
| Petroleum & coal products manufacturing | $44.18 | $91,890 |
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.
Key Factors that Influence a Welder’s Pay
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 welders typically earn more and enjoy better benefits than their non-union peers. Research found that union members often earn 10–20% more than their counterparts. Unions actually enforce wage scales and seniority systems that push earnings up. Although non-union welders may have more flexible job arrangements, they generally accept lower base pay.
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
xToolMetalfab 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.