If you’re considering a hands-on career that offers both stability and growth, welding may be on your radar, and with good reason.
It’s a trade that doesn’t generally require a college degree but opens doors to well-paying roles in industries like construction, manufacturing, and energy. But before committing to training, many people want to know: How much do welders make?
Understanding the full range of welder salary opportunities can help you decide if this path fits your financial and career goals. From entry-level earnings to high-paying specialties, welding offers a broad spectrum of potential income based on skill, experience, and location.
What Is the Average Welder Salary?
You might be wondering, “Do welders make good money?” The answer is, it depends. Welding salaries can vary widely based on location, experience, and industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average welding salary in the United States is around $51,000. Entry-level positions may start closer to $38,130 annually, while more experienced welders or those with specialized skills can earn significantly more, in the $75,000+ range.
Some welders working in high-risk environments, like underwater welding, pipeline work, or power plant construction, can make well above the standard. These roles typically require advanced training and certifications, but they come with increased pay because of the complexity and risk involved.
So if you’re asking, How much do welders make a year? The short answer is: anywhere from the mid-$30,000s to around $75,000, depending on what you do with your skills.
How Does the Industry Affect How Much Welders Make?
Not all welding jobs are the same. Welders work across multiple industries, and the pay often reflects the level of skill required and the conditions in which they work:
- Boilermakers. Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers and make an average salary of $73,000.
- Assemblers and fabricators. Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them. Welders in this space often earn around $43,570.
- Industrial machinery. These welders maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, often making around $63,500.
- Metal and plastic machine workers. These workers typically make around $46,800.
As with any trade, the more you specialize and the more certifications you hold, the higher your earning potential.
Do Welders Make Good Money Compared to Other Trades?
Welders hold their own compared to other trades that require similar training time. Many skilled trades, like HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers, fall within a similar earning range. What makes welding a good option is the variety of work environments, the opportunity to travel, and the potential to specialize in high-paying niches over time.
How Experience and Certification Affect Welding Salary
Like many professions, experience significantly affects how much you can earn. A welder just entering the field may earn a base salary, but someone with five or more years of experience, multiple certifications, and a track record of consistent work can often command much more.
Our welding course, though it doesn’t offer certification, can give you a first look at the fundamentals of welding and can help you prepare for advanced certification in the future. Certifications from organizations like the American Welding Society (AWS) or training in advanced welding methods (like TIG or flux-cored arc welding) can also improve your value to employers. These credentials can make the difference between an average wage and one that puts you in a higher tax bracket.
Additionally, those who go into welding inspection, supervision, or education later in their careers may find new earning opportunities that are less physically demanding while still financially rewarding.
What About Location? Regional Differences in Welding Salaries
Geography can also play a role in how much welders make. Welders in regions with high demand and a shortage of skilled labor typically earn more than those in areas with fewer opportunities.
For example:
- Louisiana is home to large oil and gas operations, which could impact the higher annual salary;
- New York City is another option known for paying higher welding salaries;
- Alaska offers some of the highest welding wages, but the jobs often require travel and working in harsh conditions; and
- California and the Pacific Northwest also offer high-paying opportunities, especially in aerospace and infrastructure projects.
If you’re willing to travel or relocate, your earnings may increase.
Build a Career That Pays with Stratford Career Institute
If you’re looking to get started, we offer an introductory welding course where you can learn all about the basics. Students can gain an understanding of things like gas metal arc welding, brazing, soldering, plasma cutting, oxyfuel gas welding, and more.
Stratford Career Institute has helped countless students gain practical, job-focused skills through flexible distance learning programs. We look forward to helping you.
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