Pay data / Welders / Salary / Louisiana
Welder Salary
in Louisiana
Welders in Louisiana (LA) earn a median of $45,000 a year, about $22 an hour. That runs roughly 8% below the national median for welders, with most earning between $31,300 and $67,100.
Bottom 10%
$31,300
LA Median
$45,000
Top 10%
$67,100
Welder pay by experience in Louisiana
- Entry / Fabricator$29,300$14/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$45,000$22/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$65,300$31/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in Louisiana metros
- New Orleans$43,600$21/hr
- Baton Rouge$46,400$22/hr
- Shreveport$45,300$22/hr
Certification in Louisiana
Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work.
Frequently asked
- How much do welders make in Louisiana?
- Welders in Louisiana earn a median of $45,000 per year, about $22 per hour. That is roughly 8% below the national median. Most earn between $31,300 and $67,100.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in Louisiana?
- Among Louisiana's major metros, Baton Rouge tends to pay welders the most, near $46,400 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in Louisiana?
- Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work. In Louisiana, employers hire on certifications and demonstrated skill rather than a state license.
Welder pay in other states
Figures are estimates for 2026, anchored to national wage data and localized for Louisiana by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.