Welding Technician’s Salary: Stateby-State Complete Guide With salary discrepancies across the US for trade technicians, welding technicians are no exception. Which state a welder works in matters a lot; some states pay nearly double what others do for the exact same job. That's not an exaggeration—it's reality for welding technicians trying to figure out where to build a career. This guide lays out a welding technician’s salary by state, across all 50 states of the US. The welder salary spectrum runs through a wide range, depending on various factors. However, raw numbers on how much welders make don't tell you much. You will need to look at union rules, specialization opportunities, living costs, and industry presence before making big decisions about where to work.
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National Overview: How Much Do Welders Make? The national numbers give a starting point. Welders across America pull in a median average welder salary of $51,000 yearly, or $24.52 hourly according to Bureau of Labor
Statistics tracking for May 2024. However, medians hide everything interesting. Nobody earns the median exactly—they earn more or less depending on dozens of factors. Entry-level welders start somewhere between $35,000 and $42,000 while they're still figuring out how to run consistent beads and pass inspections. Meanwhile, give them three to five years, and most bump up to the average welder salary of $45,000–$60,000 range. In contrast, welders who stick with it and develop real expertise hit $65,000 to $100,000. For example, post decoding how much do welders make, you'll be shocked to know that the top tenth of earners clear $72,970, and some specialized folks make way more than that. The welding industry expects 2% growth from 2023 to 2033. As a result, that translates to thousands of job openings every year. Why? Infrastructure work needs welders. Manufacturing coming back from overseas needs welders. And a whole generation of current welders is retiring. The American Welding Society talks about a shortage of qualified welders. That's not good for companies trying to hire, but ultimately, it's fantastic for anyone learning to weld right now.
High Paying States for Welders The average welder salary by state data for the highest paying states looks like this: State
Average Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
What Drives Wages
Massachusetts $53,090
$25.52
Shipbuilding, strong unions
New Jersey
$50,543
$24.30
Refineries, proximity to cities
Alaska
$49,549
$23.82
Oil fields, pipeline work, brutal conditions
Delaware
$49,500
$23.80
Chemical plants, refineries
Wyoming
$48,842
$23.48
Energy sector, mining operations
Connecticut
$48,073
$23.11
Defense work, remaining factories
Maine
$47,753
$22.96
Bath Iron Works, paper mills
Rhode Island
$47,640
$22.90
Naval facilities, old industrial towns
Maryland
$46,542
$22.38
Shipyards, defense contracts
Vermont
$46,496
$22.35
Agriculture equipment, specialty shops
New York
$45,824
$22.03
Construction never stops
Washington
$44,917
$21.60
Boeing, shipyards, tech buildings
New Hampshire
$44,265
$21.28
Small manufacturing operations
California
$44,031
$21.17
Everything—aerospace to entertainment
Louisiana
$43,943
$21.13
Petrochemical plants, shipyards
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Moderate Paying States for Welders The middle-tier average welder salary by state data includes many states where welders make decent livings, without the extremes of Massachusetts or Alaska. These states typically pay between $36,000 and $44,000 yearly. State
Average Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Main Industries
Nevada
$43,643
$20.98
Construction explosion in Vegas and Reno
Oregon
$43,411
$20.87
Manufacturing base, green tech
Pennsylvania
$42,878
$20.61
Steel history, bridge work
North Dakota
$42,656
$20.51
Oil boom faded but work remains
New Mexico
$42,594
$20.48
Oil and gas, mining
Arizona
$42,066
$20.22
Construction, copper mining
Virginia
$41,616
$20.01
Newport News Shipbuilding dominates
Wisconsin
$41,112
$19.76
Manufacturing base, John Deere presence
Colorado
$40,994
$19.71
Construction boom, energy work
West Virginia
$40,569
$19.50
Coal fading, some manufacturing
Minnesota
$39,960
$19.21
Farm equipment manufacturing
South Carolina
$38,314
$18.42
BMW plant, Boeing facility
Texas
$38,153
$18.34
Oil, construction—huge but competitive
Utah
$38,098
$18.32
Construction, mining operations
Mississippi
$37,679
$18.12
Shipyards, limited manufacturing
Hawaii
$37,678
$18.11
Military shipyards, island isolation
North Carolina
$37,440
$18.00
Furniture declining, construction growing
[Source- https://www.zippia.com/advice/]
Low Paying States for Welders These states typically pay below the national median, usually landing between an average welder salary of $33,461 and $37,000 yearly. But before dismissing them, someone needs to look at living costs. State
Average Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Industries Present
Illinois
$37,438
$18.00
Manufacturing heartland, Chicago premium
Michigan
$37,290
$17.93
Auto industry, still significant
Oklahoma
$37,279
$17.92
Energy sector, manufacturing
Indiana
$37,186
$17.88
Auto plants, RV manufacturing capital
Ohio
$36,920
$17.75
Automotive, steel plants, infrastructure
Missouri
$36,345
$17.47
Varied manufacturing base
Tennessee
$36,339
$17.47
Auto manufacturing, varied industry
Iowa
$36,252
$17.43
Agriculture equipment, food processing
Alabama
$35,546
$17.09
Auto plants, shipbuilding in Mobile
Idaho
$35,431
$17.03
Small manufacturing, agriculture
Kansas
$35,265
$16.95
Farm equipment, aircraft factories
South Dakota
$35,068
$16.86
Equipment manufacturing, mining
Montana
$35,056
$16.85
Mining, ranching equipment
Florida
$34,810
$16.74
Construction cycles, marine work
Kentucky
$34,707
$16.69
Auto plants, bourbon barrels
Georgia
$34,681
$16.67
Auto plants, construction
Nebraska
$34,569
$16.62
Farm equipment manufacturing
Arkansas
$33,461
$16.09
Manufacturing, equipment building
[Source- https://www.zippia.com/advice/]
Welder Salary Per Hour Breaking down the average welder salary per hour helps welders evaluate job offers, calculate the value of overtime, and compare positions across different compensation structures. Experience Level
Hourly Pay Range
Entry-Level (0-2 years)
$17.71-$20.56
Apprentice (2-3 years)
$20-$24
Journeyman (4-7 years)
$24-$30
Experienced (8-15 years)
$30-$38
Welder Salary Per Month Looking at average welder salary per month helps with practical budgeting and comparing jobs that structure pay differently—especially pipeline work, shutdowns, or seasonal projects.
Experience Level
Monthly Income
Entry-Level
$2,900-$3,500
Journeyman
$4,000-$5,200
Experienced
$5,200-$6,500
Specialized/Traveling
$6,500-$10,000+
Welder Salary by Specialization Weldeing technician’s salary by state varies, however, specialization matters even more than location. A welder who develops expertise in difficult processes or demanding industries earns dramatically more than general production welders. For instance, Pipeline Welders bring in $65,000 to $120,000 yearly, depending on experience and certifications. Specifically,pipeline work demands 6G pipe certification, proving someone can weld pipe joints in any position—flat, horizontal, vertical,or overhead. As a result, projects send welders to remote spots in Alaska, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming for months. Welders work outside in whatever weather shows up. Meanwhile, summer heat, winter cold, spring mud—doesn't matter, the pipeline needs welding. Because of this, companies pay well since conditions are harsh and mistakes cause disasters. At the extreme end, underwater welders sit at the absolute top. Earnings run from $54,000 for inland, shallow-water work up to $300,000 for saturation divers on offshore platforms. On average, the median salary for an underwater welder is around $66,380. Additionally, this work requires commercial diving certification on top of welding skills. It combines exceptional danger—drowning, decompression sickness, hypothermia, sharks—with exceptional technical difficulty. Therefore, the premium pay reflects both the danger and the scarcity of people willing and able to do it. TIG Welders earn $45,000 to $75,000, focusing on precision work. TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas) produces the cleanest, most controlled welds for aerospace components, medical device manufacturing, food processing equipment, and exotic materials like titanium or stainless. The work demands incredible hand steadiness, sharp vision, and obsessive focus on quality. Most TIG positions happen indoors in climate-controlled shops. Less physical punishment than structural work, but lower pay ceiling than pipeline or underwater.
Union vs. Non-Union Welding Technician’s Salary The union welding technician’s salary question dramatically affects lifetime earnings. Union welders earn 25% to 40% more than non-union folks on average, but the comparison involves more than just the hourly rate. Union Benefits: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Hourly rates running $28 to $45 versus $20 to $32 non-union Average union welder salary of $74,896/year Real health insurance covering whole families, not just catastrophic plans Pension plans that build actual retirement income, not just 401k matches Apprenticeships that pay people to learn instead of charging tuition Overtime protections and guaranteed minimum hours on projects Job security through collective bargaining contracts Safety committees that actually have power to fix dangerous conditions
Union strength clusters in specific areas: ● ● ● ●
Northeast: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey maintain high union density Midwest: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin have manufacturing and construction union presence West Coast: California, Washington, Oregon support organized labor traditionally Specific Industries: Shipbuilding, refineries, and power plants stay unionized regardless of location
Non-Union Advantages: ●
Faster advancement for talented welders instead of waiting on seniority lists
● ● ● ●
Geographic mobility—easier to move between jobs and states No union dues eating 1% to 3% of paychecks Entrepreneurship opportunities—starting mobile welding or fabrication shops Strong presence in growth regions like Texas, Southeast, and Mountain West
Plenty of welders start non-union to build skills fast, then join unions once they qualify as journeymen. Others stay non-union their whole careers, valuing freedom and flexibility over higher wages and benefits. The right choice depends on what someone prioritizes—security and benefits versus independence and mobility.
How to Maximize Your Welder Salary Strategic moves can double someone's welding salary by state within five to seven years: Get Certified: AWS certifications prove competency and typically add 10% to 25% to wages. Pursue plate and pipe certifications in multiple processes—SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW. Specialize: General production welders plateau around $50,000. Pipe welders, TIG specialists, and underwater welders earn $70,000 to $150,000+. Pick a lucrative specialty and get genuinely good at it. Go Union: In union-strong states, complete apprenticeship and join United Association or the relevant craft union. That 30% to 40% wage premium plus real benefits justifies the effort and time investment. Travel: Pipeline welders and shutdown specialists sacrifice normal home life but earn six figures. Even just a few years of intensive travel builds substantial savings and can pay off houses. Become an Inspector: Certified Welding Inspectors earn $70,000 to $110,000 without welding anymore. This career shift suits older welders whose bodies get tired of physical demands. Start a Business: Mobile welding, custom fabrication, and repair services can generate $75,000 to $200,000+ for entrepreneurial welders willing to handle sales, accounting, and customer hassles.
Wrapping This Up The welding technician’s salary by state data has geographic differences, coupled with smart choices about specialization, certification, and union membership, which help welders maximize what they actually take home over a career. With 2% projected growth from 2023 to 2033, thousands of annual openings, and ongoing workforce shortages, this career offers exceptional security and earning potential without drowning in college debt. Quality training programs prepare people for entry-level welder salary positions in six to eighteen months, putting them on track toward journeyman status and $60,000+ yearly income within five years of starting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What is the average salary for welding technicians in the United States? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), welders across America earn a median annual salary of $51,000, or $24.52 per hour as of May 2024. However, salaries vary significantly based on experience and location. The lowest 10 percent of welders earned less than $36,830, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,970. Entry-level welders typically start between $35,000 and $42,000, while experienced and specialized welders can earn $65,000 to $100,000 or more annually.
2. Which state pays welders the highest salary? Massachusetts pays the highest average welder salary at $53,090 annually ($25.52 per hour), followed by New Jersey at $50,543 ($24.30/hour) and Alaska at $49,549 ($23.82/hour). These high-paying states benefit from strong union presence, shipbuilding industries, refineries, and challenging work conditions that command premium wages. However, welders should also consider the cost of living when evaluating state-by-state salary differences.
3. What is the job outlook for welders? The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2% employment growth for welders from 2023 to 2033, which translates to approximately 9,900 job openings annually. Despite the modest growth rate, there are 457,300 welders currently employed in the United States, and the industry faces significant workforce shortages as experienced welders retire. This creates excellent job security and opportunities for new welders entering the field.
4. How much more do union welders make compared to non-union welders? Union welders typically earn 25% to 40% more than non-union welders, with average union salaries reaching $74,896 per year. Union hourly rates range from $28 to $45, compared to $20 to $32 for non-union positions. Beyond higher wages, union welders receive comprehensive health insurance, pension plans, paid apprenticeships, overtime protections, and stronger safety standards. Union presence is strongest in the Northeast, Midwest manufacturing states, West Coast, and industries like shipbuilding, refineries, and power plants.
Disclaimer- Certain statistics and information referenced in this article are obtained from third-party sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties regarding completeness or reliability. All trademarks, data, and content remain the property of their respective owners. Users are advised to consult the original sources for authoritative information.
