Pay data / Welders / Salary / North Carolina
Welder Salary
in North Carolina
Welders in North Carolina (NC) earn a median of $46,000 a year, about $22 an hour. That runs roughly 6% below the national median for welders, with most earning between $32,000 and $68,600.
Bottom 10%
$32,000
NC Median
$46,000
Top 10%
$68,600
Welder pay by experience in North Carolina
- Entry / Fabricator$29,900$14/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$46,000$22/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$66,700$32/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in North Carolina metros
- Charlotte$46,800$23/hr
- Raleigh$48,200$23/hr
- Greensboro$45,600$22/hr
Certification in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
- Welders in North Carolina earn a median of $46,000 per year, about $22 per hour. That is roughly 6% below the national median. Most earn between $32,000 and $68,600.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in North Carolina?
- Among North Carolina's major metros, Raleigh tends to pay welders the most, near $48,200 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in North Carolina?
- 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.