How Much do Welders Make? All You Need to Know About Welding Wages

By Jayden Mark 

The metal fabrication industry has been experiencing a boom over the last few years. This has led to increased demand for welders in the United States. This sounds like great news for anyone entering the welding the profession. Though how good is it actually?

You may have seen enticing headlines claiming that welders can make up to $300,000 per year. That would catch anyone’s attention. The truth is that some specialized welding jobs may pay this much. The average welder makes much less than this. Entering the welding profession can be the best move you will ever make. Though it’s important to have the facts before making your decision.

Obtaining a trade certificate, like welding, should have you set for life. There is a tremendous shortage for skilled welders, and this means you should always be guaranteed of a good job. How much a welder makes, will depend on several factors.

Welder Salaries

The average salary for a Welder in the USA is $38,000 per year. The top 20% of welders make around 54 -55K per year on average. However, if you’re just starting out, you should expect to make around $26,000 per year.  At the top end of the scale, welders can make upwards of 60K. Some high-risk, or rare skilled welders can make much more than this.

You may have seen bold advertising offering the opportunity to earn 300K or more as an underwater welder. This can be misleading. In some, very rare circumstances, this may be possible. Realistically, you can hope to get as much $150,000 to $200,000 per year as a welder in a highly specialized field. Though, these positions are few and far between, and require specialized training.  

Most job opportunities for welders exist in the construction and manufacturing industries, paying between $35,000 and $37,000 on average. This would be a realistic expectation, with opportunities to improve your earning potential by gaining specialized skills. Welders who are prepared to travel will often have the best opportunities. Pipe-line construction, for example, pays very well. This means traveling to where the job demands of you, depending on the project.

These figures provide a framework for understanding how much welders make. In the real world, salaries can differ vastly. A junior (entry level welder) will typically earn around $12 - $13 per hour. As you gain experience and broaden your skill set, this will improve. We all have to start somewhere.

Welding Certification

You may have developed some good welding skill tinkering in your dad’s garage. This is an advantage but will not guarantee you a good wage as a welder. Small shops will often take on welders with little skill or experience and provide in-service training. This obviously means a low wage. Larger organizations will usually look for certified welders. Training at a recognized facility will always be the best way to go.

The American Welders Association (AWS) provide certification for many different fields of welding. Obtaining the best certification will afford you more opportunities to further your career as a welder. Many employers will offer assistance for entry level employees in obtaining a welding certification. This will mean passing a QC7 test at an AWS accredited testing facility before you can apply to become a certified welder.

Welding certification is transferable. In other words, you may receive AWS certification from an employer in one state, for a certain type of welding. You will be able to use the same certification in another state, for a different employer.

Welder Salaries by Geographical Region

The Alaska oil fields offer some the best opportunities for welders, with top-earners in the region of $66,000 to $67,000. The average (median) wage for welders in Alaska is around $34 per hour.

While Alaska may be a prime destination for high earning welders, there are many other opportunities in other states.

Listed below are top earners for welding wages per hour. This is, however, only indicative as demand changes depending on local projects.

What Welding Jobs Pay the Most?

The high-paying welding jobs are not necessarily specific to any region. This may have a lot do with the type of welding skills you have. A welder on an oil rig will typically earn more than many others. This will increase the average earnings for a welder in that area for as long as the oil rig is there. If you want to make the best money as a welder, it’s best to specialize in one of the following fields:

Aerospace Welders

As the title suggests, aerospace welders work on planes, helicopters, and spacecraft. Basically, any welding to do with the manufacture and repair of aviation equipment qualifies as an aerospace welder.

Aerospace welding involves both gas and arc welding on a variety of materials including aluminum, magnesium, titanium, stainless steel, and carbon steel. Apart from multiple welding skills, both automated and manual, an aerospace welder should also be able to conduct safety inspections, interpret sketches and blueprints, as well as measure dimensions.

Military Support Welder

In order to become a military support welder, you’ll need to complete military training. You will also be required to have, at least a high-school or vocational training diploma. The work entails maintenance and repairs of vehicles and combat equipment. This usually means traveling to military bases in war zones.

Requisite experience includes arc welding, primarily on steel and aluminum. Military support welder skills should also include basic mathematical abilities and interpreting blueprints.

Military Support Welder

In order to become a military support welder, you’ll need to complete military training. You will also be required to have, at least a high-school or vocational training diploma. The work entails maintenance and repairs of vehicles and combat equipment. This usually means traveling to military bases in war zones.

Requisite experience includes arc welding, primarily on steel and aluminum. Military support welder skills should also include basic mathematical abilities and interpreting blueprints.

Pipe Welders

Pipe welders work in many different industries and are in high demand. The abundance of job opportunities, and high wages, in industries like energy, construction, manufacturing and fabrication, as well as ship building, make this an attractive proposition.

Pipe welders fuse metal pipes in new installations and manufacturing. They also conduct repairs and maintenance on pipelines. This profession is essential in the supply of water, gas, and oil. In many cases, pipe welders will be expected to travel to remote areas, like oil rigs.

The ability to perform a variety of arc welding tasks is an obvious essential skill. Along with this, pipe welders need to bend and straighten pipes, inspect for leaks or damage, and perform basic maintenance tasks. Pipe welders will usually be required to read blueprints and be proficient in measurements.

Underwater Welders

Underwater welders generally make the most money, typically in the gas and oil industries. Job opportunities exist on oil rigs, bridges, ships, nuclear power plants, and dams. The specialized nature of the job is the reason for the best salaries.

The job entails any welding work underwater, classified as wet or dry welding. Wet welding involves working underwater, completely submerged, using specialized welding equipment. Underwater welding can also be conducted using an enclosed hyperbaric chamber, supplied with oxygen, this is known as dry welding.

In order to work as an underwater welder, you will need an associate degree and underwater welder certification. In addition to this, you need to be a certified commercial diver. Photography skills can be a benefit, as many underwater divers will be required to document and assess underwater pipes and installations. This profession involves travel.

Certified Welding Supervisor 

These are usually experienced welders and require an AWS certification as a welding supervisor. A certified welding supervisor is a management position, tasked with overseeing a team of welders. They need to ensure the correct materials are used, that welders implement the correct techniques, and inspect all work.

A certified Welding Supervisor works in collaboration with project management in evaluating costs and ensuring that projects fall within the specified budgets. They also need to ensure safety in the workplace, quality control, and that work is completed on time.