Welder earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level welder earnings begin at:

$37.30 per hour

$77,580 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level welder earnings begin at:

$30.16 per hour

$62,730 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level welder earnings begin at:

$28.73 per hour

$59,770 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level welder earnings begin at:

$22.83 per hour

$47,490 per year

10th percentile

Starting level welder earnings begin at:

$18.23 per hour

$37,920 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 about the same as related careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than millwrights but more than drafters.

Career Median Salary
Millwright salary $60K
Sheet metal worker salary $60K
Pipefitter salary $61K
Plumber salary $61K
Ironworker salary $49K
Welder salary $60K
Ship loader salary $49K
Rigger salary $52K
Quality control inspector salary $52K
Drafter salary $49K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)