How Much Does a Welder Make Each Year?

The Importance Of Experience

The vast majority of figures published online for a particular job represent the average salary, or sometimes, the median salary.

On average, welders in the United States make around $36,884, or about $17.73 an hour. However, the average salary varies significantly depending on where you are working. 

This significant gap in salaries by state reflects the differences in demand and availability of local welders. The more in-demand a job is, the more likely it is to pay higher.

One of the largest factors in response to how much does a welder make is experience. It will take a freshly graduated welder at least a few years of experience before earning wages at the higher end of the scale.

Entry-level salaries

A welder is entry-level when they’re just starting in the profession, possessing less than five years of experience.

Although entry-level wages may go as low as the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour ($15,080 per year), most companies today offer at least $10 per hour ($20,800 per year). 

However, because of a shortage of workers in the welding profession, the average salary for entry-level workers has skyrocketed in the last few years.

In 2015, just over 40% of welding companies offered a salary of at least $15 per hour ($31,200 per year). By 2019, this number had increased 70%, with a 40% offering more than $17 per hour.

A welder with 5-15 years of experience can expect salaries closer to the national averages.

Expert Level

Welders with more than 15 years of experience often learn additional talents to remain relevant and improve their market value.

The best-paid welders don’t just know the best way to lay a good bead with a MIG welding gun; they also learn various management skills like shop foreman or team leader and take additional responsibilities.

Expert welders may make anywhere between $28 and $48 per hour ($58,240 to $99,840 per year), depending on their skill set and employer.

Welder Wages Vary Significantly by State

The answers to how much does a welder make varies considerably depending on your state or country of residence.

With a difference of over 150% from the best-paying state to the lowest-paying one, knowing where the demand is and where the best pay is may make the difference for welders looking to make a living wage.

The five states with the highest average welder salary are:

1. New York: $43,166  ($20.75/hour)
2. New Hampshire: $41,894 ($20.14/hour)
3. Vermont: $39,656 ($19.07/hour)
4. Wyoming: $38,495 ($18.51/hour)
5. West Virginia: $37,504 ($18.03/hour)

In contrast, the five states with the lowest average salaries are:

1. Michigan: $30,170 ($14.50/hour)
2. Illinois: $30,058 ($14.45/hour)
3. Texas: $29,700 ($14.28/hour)
4. Missouri: $29,503 ($14.18/hour)
5. North Carolina: $27,477 ($13.21/hour)

Keep in mind that a significant part of wage differences is the cost of living in each state. Although the average welder salary in New York may seem much higher than the national average, it is also one of the top five states with the highest living costs.

Specializations

There are multiple kinds of specialized welding jobs, each with different average salaries. Typically, the more technical the job is, the more a candidate has to travel where the work is, which may take them far away from their state of residence, including across the world.

However, specialization and willingness to travel can significantly increase the rate per hour.

Pipeline Welders

For instance, pipeline welders often have to travel to states such as Alaska, Texas, or North Dakota to work in facilities like oil rigs, using specialized tools such as pipe clamps, fitting, flanging, beveling, and cutting machines.

The average salary of a pipeline welder is $69,841, almost double that of a traditional welder.

Structural Welders

Other high-paying specializations include structural welders, who fabricate, repair, and maintain metal frames and structures for various engineering projects, ranging from bridges to skyscrapers.

A structural welder’s national average salary is $47,910, about 30% higher than that of a traditional welder.

Certified Welding Supervisors

An example proving that experience and responsibilities result in better pay is certified welding supervisors. This occupation requires many years of welding experience, extensive knowledge of safety protocols, and management skills.

Most welding supervisors cooperate with other managers and supervisors on multiple projects, and they make $66,000 on average, nearly 80% more than a traditional welder.

Aerospace Welders

Aerospace welding is a job specialization where individual workers can experience wide wage differences depending solely on the employer.

Although the average salary for an aerospace welder is about $44,260, working for a high-profile private company or the Department of Defense can increase it from anywhere between $65,000 and $100,000.

Underwater Welders

One of the most publicized welding jobs is underwater welding. This job is rare because it is high-paying and requires more training. 

However, underwater welding is a dangerous occupation requiring many years of welding experience on land, diving certifications, training with tools such as underwater welding guns and cutting torches, and knowledge of many safety protocols.

However, the average salary of an underwater welder is about $54,000. The top 10% of earners rarely pull in more than $80,000.

Purge blocks can act as heat sinks and gas lenses, evenly distributing the shielding gas to protect the part against atmospheric contamination. A purge block made from copper sheet and stainless steel is the best choice. 

Read More: Excellent Schools and Colleges for Welding