How much does a welder make?
The median welder in the United States earns $53,750 per year, about $25.84 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all welders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4121.
Welder salary range
Pay for welders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,530. The average (mean) wage of $56,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,240 | $18.87 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 | |
| Median (50th) | $53,750 | $25.84 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,010 | $30.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,530 | $37.28 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (SOC 51-4121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Welder salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Welders earn the most in Alaska at $80,840 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $47,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,840 | 790 |
| Hawaii | $79,000 | 520 |
| Connecticut | $64,880 | 1,790 |
| Wyoming | $63,820 | 1,850 |
| Washington | $63,020 | 7,720 |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 | 2,830 |
| New Hampshire | $62,360 | 1,110 |
| Louisiana | $62,250 | 13,690 |
| Maine | $62,220 | 1,690 |
| North Dakota | $62,000 | 2,590 |
| Nevada | $61,520 | 1,600 |
| Vermont | $60,890 | 340 |
| Maryland | $60,310 | 2,850 |
| Minnesota | $60,280 | 9,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,180 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $59,840 | 2,390 |
| Oregon | $59,450 | 5,240 |
| New Jersey | $59,440 | 3,730 |
| Virginia | $59,180 | 10,100 |
| New York | $59,140 | 8,310 |
| Colorado | $58,590 | 4,970 |
| Wisconsin | $58,410 | 15,320 |
| Utah | $58,380 | 4,440 |
| California | $58,060 | 26,060 |
| Delaware | $57,270 | 600 |
| Montana | $55,610 | 1,530 |
| Arizona | $55,600 | 7,270 |
| Iowa | $55,090 | 9,270 |
| Texas | $53,340 | 52,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,900 | 17,850 |
| Nebraska | $52,220 | 4,200 |
| Missouri | $51,950 | 10,600 |
| Kentucky | $51,470 | 6,630 |
| Illinois | $51,320 | 16,260 |
| Mississippi | $51,100 | 6,460 |
| Florida | $50,640 | 16,420 |
| North Carolina | $50,590 | 11,750 |
| Rhode Island | $50,580 | 2,300 |
| Idaho | $50,530 | 3,300 |
| Ohio | $50,340 | 20,330 |
| Michigan | $49,990 | 13,330 |
| South Carolina | $49,980 | 7,380 |
| Indiana | $49,730 | 13,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,720 | 9,960 |
| South Dakota | $49,440 | 3,250 |
| Kansas | $49,410 | 6,370 |
| West Virginia | $48,810 | 2,100 |
| Alabama | $48,490 | 12,450 |
| Georgia | $48,430 | 13,130 |
| Tennessee | $48,040 | 12,510 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 | 6,150 |
State median wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (SOC 51-4121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for welders
The BLS projects employment of welders to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 437,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 448,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 40,300 openings a year for welders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a welder
The typical entry-level education for welders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a welder earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $80,840) and the lowest (Arkansas, $47,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 416,210 people work as welders in the United States. At $53,750 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Welder salary FAQ
How much does a welder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a welder is $25.84. The middle half of welders earn between $22.50 and $30.29 per hour.
What is the highest welder salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of welders earn more than $77,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a welder make a year?
The median annual salary for a welder is $53,750. The average (mean) wage of $56,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a welder a well paid job?
At $53,750 a year, a welder earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 416,210 people work as welders in the United States.
Which state pays welders the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for welders at $80,840 a year. Hawaii ($79,000) and Connecticut ($64,880) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a welder a good career?
Employment of welders is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 40,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a welder?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for welders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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