Welders with certification can earn +35.06% more than the average base salary, which is $22.19 per hour.
The average Welder salary in the United States is $46,575 as of December 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $41,442 and $53,345. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) estimates a 13% increase in demand for welders up to 2026.
Factors Influencing Welder Salaries
Several factors contribute to the variation in welder salaries. Understanding these factors can help you determine your earning potential in the welding industry.
- Experience: Experienced welders tend to earn higher salaries than entry-level welders. As you gain more skills and expertise in different welding techniques, your earning potential increases.
- Location: Welding salaries can vary significantly by region. Urban areas with a high demand for skilled welders may offer higher wages than rural areas. The cost of living also plays a role in determining wages.
- Industry: The industry you work in can impact your salary. For example, welding jobs in the aerospace or oil and gas industries often pay more than positions in construction or manufacturing.
- Certifications: Holding relevant certifications, such as the American Welding Society (AWS), the German Institute of Welding (DVS) among others, can lead to higher-paying opportunities. Welders with specialized certifications, like underwater welding, may command even higher salaries. Soldamatic offers several courses from relevant associations and experts in welding mentioned before.
- Union Membership: Some welders belong to labor unions, which can negotiate better wages and benefits on their behalf. Union membership can be a significant factor in determining your earnings.
How Much Does a Welder Make A Year
Now, let’s take a look at the average wages for welders in the United States, broken down by experience level and industry.
- Entry-Level Welder: Entry-level welders with basic experience can expect to earn $15.07 per hour or an average annual salary of around $31,350 to $35,000.
- Junior-Level Welder: Junior-level welders with some experience can expect to earn $18.20 per hour or an average annual salary of around $37,8620.
- Mid-Level Welder: With a few years of experience, can expect to earn $22.60 per hour or an average annual salary of around $47,010.
- Senior-Level Welder: With ten years of experience, can expect to earn $27.33 per hour or an average annual salary of around $56,850.
- Top-Level Welder: Welders with extensive experience and expertise in specialized fields can earn well over $30.61 per hour or $63,660 annually, and in some cases, even six-figure salaries.
Industry-Specific Salary
- Oil rig welder salary: $77,000 per year.
- Underwater welder salary: $54,000 per year.
- Industrial pipeline welder salary: $63,000 per year.
- Military support welder salary: $48,000 per year.
- Aerospace welder salary: $45,000 per year.
- Certified welding inspector salary: $57,000 per year.
- Nuclear industry welder salary: $67,000 per year.
- Certified welding supervisor salary: $56,000 per year.
- Welding engineer salary: $83,000 per year.
- Combination welder salary: $59,000 per year.
Welder Salary By State
| State Name | Average Salary |
| Alaska | $75,940 |
| District Of Columbia | $65,810 |
| Hawaii | $63,120 |
| Wyoming | $60,800 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $60,410 |
| North Dakota | $59,770 |
| Rhode Island | $57,420 |
| Washington | $55,300 |
| Connecticut | $49,480 |
| Massachusetts | $49,480 |
| New Jersey | $49,480 |
| Virginia | $49,200 |
| Louisiana | $48,750 |
| New Hampshire | $48,620 |
| New Mexico | $48,600 |
| California | $48,590 |
| Maryland | $48,340 |
| Delaware | $48,210 |
| New York | $48,140 |
| Maine | $47,940 |
| Wisconsin | $47,940 |
| Minnesota | $47,840 |
| Oregon | $47,840 |
| Nevada | $47,830 |
| Texas | $47,820 |
| Colorado | $47,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,130 |
| Arizona | $46,970 |
| Utah | $46,910 |
| Vermont | $46,910 |
| Iowa | $46,640 |
| Idaho | $46,640 |
| Indiana | $46,640 |
| Montana | $46,640 |
| Nebraska | $46,640 |
| North Carolina | $46,450 |
| Mississippi | $46,420 |
| Oklahoma | $46,420 |
| Alabama | $46,320 |
| West Virginia | $46,240 |
| Kansas | $45,600 |
| Ohio | $45,010 |
| Tennessee | $44,830 |
| Illinois | $44,590 |
| Missouri | $44,280 |
| Florida | $44,260 |
| Kentucky | $43,440 |
| South Dakota | $39,300 |
| Michigan | $38,870 |
| South Carolina | $38,860 |
| Georgia | $38,520 |
| Guam | $38,050 |
| Arkansas | $37,760 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,710 |