Welder Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska AK | $77,105 | $37.07/hr | $62,738 | 320 | Fairbanks-College, AK | 122.9 |
| #2 | Hawaii HI | $74,200 | $35.68/hr | $45,633 | 470 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 162.6 |
| #3 | Vermont VT | $63,460 | $30.51/hr | $43,585 | 140 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 145.6 |
| #4 | Connecticut CT | $63,205 | $30.39/hr | $49,572 | 1,260 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 127.5 |
| #5 | Louisiana LA | $62,837 | $30.21/hr | $62,153 | 11,820 | Baton Rouge, LA | 101.1 |
| #6 | Washington WA | $61,245 | $29.45/hr | $54,295 | 6,330 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 112.8 |
| #7 | North Dakota ND | $60,850 | $29.26/hr | $66,941 | 1,280 | Minot, ND | 90.9 |
| #8 | Wyoming WY | $60,845 | $29.25/hr | $60,362 | 660 | Casper, WY | 100.8 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
High school diploma or equivalent (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; AWS welding certification
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team; AWS welding certification
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Welder: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Welder. Official 2026 economic data for Welder compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Welder range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Welder: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Welder is $53,750 per year ($25.84/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 382 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $31,680 in Ponce, PR to $85,790 in Lima, OH.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Welder
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Lima, OH | $85,790 | +59.6% |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $81,120 | +50.9% |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $80,210 | +49.2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $78,170 | +45.4% |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $75,040 | +39.6% |
| Anchorage, AK | $74,000 | +37.7% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $72,920 | +35.7% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $71,720 | +33.4% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $67,280 | +25.2% |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $66,420 | +23.6% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $66,240 | +23.2% |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $66,060 | +22.9% |