How much does a welder make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $25.84 an hour or $4,479 a month.
- Hourly
- $25.84
- Average (mean)
- $56,760
- Jobs
- 416,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,240 | $18.87 | |
| 25th | $46,790 | $22.50 | |
| Median | $53,750 | $25.84 | |
| 75th | $63,010 | $30.29 | |
| 90th | $77,530 | $37.27 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Alaska | $80,840 |
| Hawaii | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $64,880 |
| Wyoming | $63,820 |
| Washington | $63,020 |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 |
| New Hampshire | $62,360 |
| Louisiana | $62,250 |
| Maine | $62,220 |
| North Dakota | $62,000 |
| Nevada | $61,520 |
| Vermont | $60,890 |
| Maryland | $60,310 |
| Minnesota | $60,280 |
| District of Columbia | $60,180 |
| New Mexico | $59,840 |
| Oregon | $59,450 |
| New Jersey | $59,440 |
| Virginia | $59,180 |
| New York | $59,140 |
| Colorado | $58,590 |
| Wisconsin | $58,410 |
| Utah | $58,380 |
| California | $58,060 |
| Delaware | $57,270 |
| Montana | $55,610 |
| Arizona | $55,600 |
| Iowa | $55,090 |
| Texas | $53,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,900 |
| Nebraska | $52,220 |
| Missouri | $51,950 |
| Kentucky | $51,470 |
| Illinois | $51,320 |
| Mississippi | $51,100 |
| Florida | $50,640 |
| North Carolina | $50,590 |
| Rhode Island | $50,580 |
| Idaho | $50,530 |
| Ohio | $50,340 |
| Michigan | $49,990 |
| South Carolina | $49,980 |
| Indiana | $49,730 |
| Oklahoma | $49,720 |
| South Dakota | $49,440 |
| Kansas | $49,410 |
| West Virginia | $48,810 |
| Alabama | $48,490 |
| Georgia | $48,430 |
| Tennessee | $48,040 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Lima, OH | $85,790 |
| Honolulu, HI | $81,120 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $80,210 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $78,170 |
| Hartford, CT | $75,040 |
| Anchorage, AK | $74,000 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $72,920 |
| Bremerton, WA | $71,720 |
| Kahului, HI | $67,280 |
| Portland, ME | $66,420 |
| Seattle, WA | $66,240 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $66,060 |
| Boulder, CO | $65,040 |
| Kennewick, WA | $64,720 |
| Alexandria, LA | $64,490 |
In other countries
Welder belongs to the international group "Welders and flamecutters".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Welding$47,920
- Heat Treating Equipment Setter$48,750
- Layout Worker$63,870
- Plating Machine Setter$43,960
- Tool Grinder$50,060
- Metal Worker and Plastic Worker$45,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a welder make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $25.84 ($53,750 a year).
How much does a welder make a month?
About $4,479 a month before tax, based on a median of $53,750 a year.
How much does a welder make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,240 or less a year ($18.87 an hour); the top 10% make $77,530 or more.
Which state pays welders the most?
Alaska, with a median of $80,840 a year, followed by Hawaii ($79,000) and Connecticut ($64,880).
Which city pays welders the most?
Lima, OH, with a median of $85,790 a year.
How many welders are there in the United States?
About 416,210 people work as welders.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.