Pay data / Welders / Salary / West Virginia
Welder Salary
in West Virginia
Welders in West Virginia (WV) earn a median of $43,100 a year, about $21 an hour. That runs roughly 12% below the national median for welders, with most earning between $29,900 and $64,200.
Bottom 10%
$29,900
WV Median
$43,100
Top 10%
$64,200
Welder pay by experience in West Virginia
- Entry / Fabricator$28,000$13/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$43,100$21/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$62,500$30/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in West Virginia metros
- Charleston$43,000$21/hr
- Huntington$41,100$20/hr
- Morgantown$42,900$21/hr
Certification in West 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 West Virginia?
- Welders in West Virginia earn a median of $43,100 per year, about $21 per hour. That is roughly 12% below the national median. Most earn between $29,900 and $64,200.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in West Virginia?
- Among West Virginia's major metros, Charleston tends to pay welders the most, near $43,000 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in West 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 West 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 West Virginia by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.