Welder Salary
Welders join metal parts using various welding techniques. They work in manufacturing, construction, and repair, reading blueprints and operating welding equipment.
Welder Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level welders earn around $32,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $48,000. Senior-level welders can earn $68,000 or more.
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Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for welders varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $33,200, while the top 10% earn $70,800.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $47,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,800 |
Welder Salary by State
Welder salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $83,678, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $39,018.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $83,678 | Details → |
| #2 California | $67,224 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $63,464 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $62,993 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $57,352 | Details → |
| #6 Washington | $55,942 | Details → |
| #7 New Jersey | $54,061 | Details → |
| #8 Oregon | $53,121 | Details → |
| #9 Connecticut | $52,651 | Details → |
| #10 Maryland | $51,711 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $50,301 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $49,361 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $49,361 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $48,890 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $47,480 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $47,480 | Details → |
| #17 Nevada | $47,010 | Details → |
| #18 Florida | $46,070 | Details → |
| #19 Maine | $46,070 | Details → |
| #20 Arizona | $45,600 | Details → |
| #21 Minnesota | $45,600 | Details → |
| #22 Montana | $45,600 | Details → |
| #23 Utah | $45,600 | Details → |
| #24 Louisiana | $45,130 | Details → |
| #25 Pennsylvania | $45,130 | Details → |
| #26 Texas | $45,130 | Details → |
| #27 Wyoming | $45,130 | Details → |
| #28 Illinois | $44,660 | Details → |
| #29 North Dakota | $44,660 | Details → |
| #30 Idaho | $44,189 | Details → |
| #31 Georgia | $43,719 | Details → |
| #32 New Mexico | $43,719 | Details → |
| #33 Indiana | $43,249 | Details → |
| #34 North Carolina | $43,249 | Details → |
| #35 Wisconsin | $43,249 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $42,309 | Details → |
| #37 Nebraska | $42,309 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $42,309 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $41,839 | Details → |
| #40 Oklahoma | $41,839 | Details → |
| #41 South Carolina | $41,839 | Details → |
| #42 Tennessee | $41,839 | Details → |
| #43 Missouri | $41,369 | Details → |
| #44 South Dakota | $41,369 | Details → |
| #45 Alabama | $40,899 | Details → |
| #46 Kansas | $40,899 | Details → |
| #47 Kentucky | $40,899 | Details → |
| #48 West Virginia | $40,429 | Details → |
| #49 Arkansas | $39,488 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $39,018 | Details → |
Stand Out from the Competition
85% of recruiters say a professionally written resume increases interview rates by 40%. Stand out from 427,300 other Welders.
Get a Professional Resume →Key Responsibilities
- ● Join metal parts using MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-cored welding
- ● Read and interpret blueprints and welding symbols
- ● Inspect completed welds for quality and structural integrity
- ● Set up and operate welding equipment and tools
- ● Follow safety procedures and wear protective gear
Top Skills
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 2% growth over the next decade
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