Welder Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$51,000
national median salary
$46,000 to $62,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $53,750 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) across the United States, based on 416,210 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$39,240
25th percentile
$46,790
Median
$53,750
75th percentile
$63,010
90th percentile
$77,530
Workers surveyed
416,210
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$51,000
May 2025 release
$53,750
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) rather than Welderspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 51-4121Highest Paying
$72,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$53,000
New York, NY
Lowest Paying
$39,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 51-4121. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Welder salary in the United States at $51,000 in 2026, within a range of $46,000 to $62,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $72,000, while New York offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Certification type drives the largest pay differences.
Welder salary by city.
Skills that increase Welder pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Welders based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $7,140 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$7,140 per year
≈ +$6,630 per year
≈ +$6,120 per year
≈ +$5,610 per year
≈ +$5,610 per year
≈ +$5,100 per year
≈ +$5,100 per year
≈ +$4,590 per year
What you should know.
Certification type drives the largest pay differences. TIG and pipe welders earn 20 to 35% more than MIG welders doing structural or production work. Welders certified for exotic alloys like titanium, Inconel, or stainless steel in aerospace or nuclear applications earn peak rates. Travel welding and shutdown work offer premium per diem packages.
Welding apprentices start at $30,000 to $36,000, advancing to journeyman welder at $40,000 to $55,000 in three to four years. Certified pipe welders earn $60,000 to $80,000, while welding inspectors (CWI) and supervisors reach $75,000 to $100,000 in industrial settings.
Per diem payments for travel welders add $75 to $150 daily, potentially adding $18,000 to $35,000 annually. Union welders receive pension and health benefits worth $10,000 to $18,000. Tool and safety equipment allowances of $500 to $1,500 are standard.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Welders typically earn $46,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Welder pay.
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