Welder earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level welder earnings begin at:

$37.94 per hour

$78,920 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level welder earnings begin at:

$29.77 per hour

$61,920 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level welder earnings begin at:

$23.79 per hour

$49,480 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level welder earnings begin at:

$21.10 per hour

$43,890 per year

10th percentile

Starting level welder earnings begin at:

$18.12 per hour

$37,690 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

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

How do welder salaries compare to similar careers?

Welders earn 6% more than similar careers in New Jersey. On average, they make less than hydroelectric plant technicians but more than cabinetmakers.

Career Median Salary
Hydroelectric plant technician salary $54K
Machinist salary $57K
Hazardous materials removal worker salary $48K
Drywall installer salary $55K
Welder salary $49K
Locksmith salary $57K
Plasterer salary $53K
Quality control inspector salary $47K
Maintenance worker salary $47K
Cabinetmaker salary $48K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)