How much do welders make?

Welders earn a national median of $48,940 per year, about $24 per hour. Most earn between $34,000 and $72,970, depending on experience, certification, specialty, and location.

What is the hourly rate for a welder?

The national median is roughly $24 per hour, with entry / fabricator work near $15/hr and top welders above $34/hr.

Which states pay welders the most?

Higher-wage, higher-cost states and strong union markets pay above the national median. Use the state links below to see local pay for welders.

Pay data / Welders / Salary

Welder Salary

Welders in the United States earn a median of $48,940 a year, about $24 an hour. Pay runs from around $34,000 for newer welders to $72,970+ for the most experienced and certified.

Bottom 10%

$34,000

Median

$48,940

Top 10%

$72,970

Welder pay by experience

Entry / Fabricator
$31,800$15/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
Certified Welder
$48,900$24/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
Specialty / Pipe Welder
$71,000$34/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.

What moves the number

·Certifications. AWS/ASME tickets for pipe, TIG, and structural work raise pay sharply.
·Industry. Pipeline, aerospace, and underwater welding sit far above shop fabrication.
·Travel and shutdown work. Rig welders and traveling shutdown crews earn the most.
·Position and process. 6G pipe and specialty alloys pay a premium.

Welder salary by state

Local pay swings with cost of living, union density, and demand. Pick a state for welders pay near you.

Frequently asked

How much do welders make?: Welders earn a national median of $48,940 per year, about $24 per hour. Most earn between $34,000 and $72,970, depending on experience, certification, specialty, and location.
What is the hourly rate for a welder?: The national median is roughly $24 per hour, with entry / fabricator work near $15/hr and top welders above $34/hr.
Which states pay welders the most?: Higher-wage, higher-cost states and strong union markets pay above the national median. Use the state links below to see local pay for welders.

Figures are estimates for 2026, anchored to national wage data and adjusted for experience and location. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and market.