Pay data / Welders / Salary / Virginia
Welder Salary
in Virginia
Welders in Virginia (VA) earn a median of $50,900 a year, about $24 an hour. That runs roughly 4% above the national median for welders, with most earning between $35,400 and $75,900.
Bottom 10%
$35,400
VA Median
$50,900
Top 10%
$75,900
Welder pay by experience in Virginia
- Entry / Fabricator$33,100$16/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$50,900$24/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$73,800$35/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in Virginia metros
- Virginia Beach$49,200$24/hr
- Richmond$53,900$26/hr
- Arlington$53,000$25/hr
Certification in Virginia
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 Virginia?
- Welders in Virginia earn a median of $50,900 per year, about $24 per hour. That is roughly 4% above the national median. Most earn between $35,400 and $75,900.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in Virginia?
- Among Virginia's major metros, Richmond tends to pay welders the most, near $53,900 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in Virginia?
- 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.