How Much Does a Welder Make? A Clear Guide

May 9

Welding isn’t just about fusing metal—it’s about building the stuff that keeps the world moving: pipelines, bridges, power plants, even airplanes. If you’re considering this trade, one of the first questions you probably have is: How much can I make? The answer depends on a few things—what kind of welding you do, where you work, and how much experience you bring to the table.

In this guide, we’ll break it all down and show you how to turn a welding job into a well-paying, long-term career.

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Hands-On vs. Machine-Based Welding: What’s the Difference?

Not all welding jobs are the same. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines two major types:

Hands-On Welders (51-4121): These are the welders most people think of—working with torches or electrodes to join or cut metal for ships, pipelines, or infrastructure. It’s a skilled job that often requires certification and is the focus of this guide.
Machine Operators (51-4122): These workers run automated welding or soldering machines, mostly in factories. The job is more about setup and monitoring than manual welding.

Hands-on welding tends to offer more variety, more opportunities to specialize, and a higher ceiling for pay. That’s why we’re focusing on it here.

Check out Is Your Job Safe or Vanishing? 15 Manufacturing Trends. and 9 Fastest-Growing Jobs in Manufacturing Over the Next Decade

What’s the Average Welder Salary?

So, how much does a welder make? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average full-time welder earns around $21.73 an hour, or about $45,190 a year. But that’s just the middle of the pack.

Just starting out? You might earn closer to $29,470/year. With experience and more responsibility, many welders make $60,000 or more. At the top of the trade—especially in high-risk or specialized roles—wages can climb beyond $64,000 a year.

Welding may start modestly, but with the right skills and job choices, there’s plenty of room to grow.

Top-Paying Industries for Welders

Where you work matters just as much as what you do. Some industries pay standard wages, while others reward welders with top-dollar salaries—especially when the job is tough or highly technical.

Here’s what welders are earning across various industries:

Metal Product Manufacturing: Around $42,570/year
Machinery Manufacturing: $43,180/year
Ship and Boat Building: $51,050/year
Natural Gas Pipelines: $80,620/year
Power Plants: $78,260/year
Airlines (Aircraft Maintenance): $89,110/year

High-paying jobs often require more training or certifications, but the return on investment is often worth it.

Learn more about: Top Skilled Trade Jobs That Pay Over $70K Without a Degree

Where Welders Earn the Most

Welding wages also vary significantly by location. Remote areas, energy hubs, and high-cost regions tend to pay more.

Top-paying states include:

Alaska: $66,740/year
Washington, D.C.: $63,980/year
Hawaii: $61,830/year
Wyoming: $61,650/year
New Mexico: $56,740/year

Top-paying cities include:

Wheeling, WV-OH: $85,310/year
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI: $74,280/year
Fairbanks, AK: $71,220/year
Baton Rouge, LA: $66,360/year
Farmington, NM: $62,190/year

If you're open to travel or relocation, these areas can offer significant pay advantages—especially for skilled welders.

Welding Hotspots with Steady Job Demand

Some areas don’t top the pay charts but are known for high job availability. That’s great news if you're just getting started and want to gain experience quickly.

Elkhart-Goshen, IN: A hub for RV and trailer manufacturing
Houma-Thibodaux, LA: Known for shipbuilding and offshore platforms
Casper, WY: Strong demand in oil and gas industries

These regions offer steady work and real-world experience—especially helpful for building your skills and résumé.

How to find a job as a Welder?

Check out these helpful guides:

What’s the Future of Welding Look Like?

Welding remains a steady career path, even if the projected job growth is modest. According to the BLS:

Welders employed in 2023: 454,500
Projected by 2033: 463,800
Annual job openings: 45,000

While automation is changing some factory welding jobs, hands-on welders continue to be in demand across industries like construction, energy, and infrastructure. The versatility of hands-on welders makes them harder to replace.

Industry Insights: Why Welding Is Still a Growth Trade

Welding demand isn’t just about replacing retirees—it’s also tied to national trends that are creating long-term job growth. Two of the biggest drivers are infrastructure spending and clean energy development.

The U.S. infrastructure bill passed in 2021 is still fueling major projects across highways, bridges, transit, and water systems—all of which require skilled welders. States like Texas, California, and Florida are seeing ongoing demand as construction ramps up.

At the same time, the clean energy shift is opening doors in new industries. Welders are essential in building wind turbines, solar farms, and energy storage systems. Regions like the Midwest and Southwest—where large-scale energy projects are taking off—are especially promising for welders who are open to working outdoors or traveling for projects.

There’s also a clear shortage of skilled welders in rural areas and high-intensity industrial regions. Places like North Dakota, the Gulf Coast, and inland energy hubs often struggle to fill roles quickly, especially for jobs involving pipelines, shipbuilding, or industrial fabrication. For certified, flexible welders, this shortage translates to strong bargaining power and steady job prospects.

What Boosts a Welder’s Pay?

If you want to move up the pay scale, here are a few things that make a difference:

Experience: Entry-level welders earn around $29,470/year, while experienced professionals can earn $60,000 or more.
Certifications: AWS or pipeline welding certifications can increase pay by 10–20%.
Specialization: Roles like underwater welding or aerospace welding can push annual income to $80,000 or more.
Industry: Energy and shipbuilding often pay more than general manufacturing.
Location: Alaska, Louisiana, and Wyoming frequently top the wage charts.
Union Membership: Union welders often earn 15–25% more, with better job protections.
Work Environment: Harsh or remote job sites typically come with higher pay.

Getting Started as a Welder

Most welders begin with a high school diploma and hands-on training through either trade school or an apprenticeship.

Trade school programs typically last 6 to 12 months and cost $5,000–$15,000. Apprenticeships are longer (usually 3–4 years) but let you earn a wage while learning.

Once trained and certified, most new welders start with salaries between $30,000 and $40,000—with strong potential to increase.

What to Expect When You’re Starting Out

A typical day in welding trade school includes classroom learning and time in a welding lab. You’ll cover everything from welding safety and blueprint reading to hands-on techniques like MIG and TIG welding. Classes often run 5 days a week, and most students spend 20–30 hours per week training.

If you choose the apprenticeship route, you’ll work full time while learning on the job. Many apprenticeships are union-sponsored and last several years. You’ll start earning around $15–$18 per hour, and by the end of the program, wages can rise to $24–$30 per hour or more.

Most welders find their first job within 1–3 months after completing training—especially if they’re open to relocating or applying through union networks and staffing agencies. With certification and a willingness to work, job prospects are strong across many regions.

What’s Next After You Become a Welder?

Once you’ve mastered the basics and built up some experience, welding can turn into a long-term career with clear advancement opportunities. Here’s what that path might look like:

Many welders start on the shop floor, gaining hands-on skills in fabrication, repair, or fieldwork. Over time, those who pursue additional certifications or take on more responsibility can move into roles like welding inspector, checking the quality and safety of welds based on industry codes and standards.

From there, some welders step into leadership roles as supervisors or foremen, managing teams or overseeing large projects. Others become trainers or instructors at trade schools—or even launch their own welding businesses, offering mobile services or contracting for specialized industrial work.

Whether you want to climb the ladder or carve your own path, welding offers more than just a job—it can become a full-fledged career.

Tips to Boost Your Welding Career

Get certified through AWS or other recognized programs
Stay open to relocation or travel jobs for higher pay
Learn in-demand specialties like TIG or pipeline welding
Join unions or industry groups to access better job networks
Keep up with evolving technologies like robotic welding systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a welder?
You can complete trade school in 6–12 months or enter a 3–4 year apprenticeship.

Is welding physically demanding?
Yes. It often involves standing for long hours, working in noisy or hot environments, and handling heavy equipment.

Can I become a welder without a college degree?
Absolutely. Most welders enter the field with just a high school diploma and technical training.

What are the biggest challenges of a welding career?
Tight spaces, harsh conditions, and precision work. But the payoff in salary and job satisfaction makes it worth it for many.

How can I find welding jobs in high-demand areas?
Check job boards, union listings, and staffing agencies that specialize in skilled trades. Places like Indiana, Louisiana, and Wyoming often need skilled welders.

Will welding be replaced by automation?
Some factory-based jobs are being automated, but hands-on welding—especially in construction and repair—is hard to replace.

Wrap-Up

Whether you're starting out or looking to advance, welding offers a clear path to a skilled trade that pays well and makes an impact. Your tools, your work ethic, and your training can shape not just metal—but your future.

Ready for your next thriving opportunity? Connect with Timpl.