How much does a welding make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $23.04 an hour or $3,993 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.04
- Average (mean)
- $50,220
- Jobs
- 31,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,860 | $17.72 | |
| 25th | $40,560 | $19.50 | |
| Median | $47,920 | $23.04 | |
| 75th | $57,390 | $27.59 | |
| 90th | $66,540 | $31.99 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Arizona | $70,150 |
| Alaska | $62,700 |
| Washington | $58,990 |
| Illinois | $58,840 |
| Oregon | $58,650 |
| Wisconsin | $57,640 |
| Minnesota | $57,560 |
| Nebraska | $57,280 |
| Missouri | $56,210 |
| New Jersey | $53,680 |
| South Dakota | $52,520 |
| New York | $52,080 |
| Iowa | $51,740 |
| Texas | $51,310 |
| Idaho | $50,850 |
| Kentucky | $50,740 |
| Massachusetts | $50,480 |
| Rhode Island | $50,040 |
| Colorado | $49,860 |
| Virginia | $49,160 |
| California | $48,940 |
| Louisiana | $48,740 |
| Maine | $48,410 |
| Ohio | $48,190 |
| Connecticut | $47,900 |
| Nevada | $47,870 |
| North Carolina | $47,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,530 |
| New Hampshire | $47,500 |
| Tennessee | $47,180 |
| Maryland | $47,110 |
| Arkansas | $46,880 |
| Kansas | $46,710 |
| West Virginia | $46,460 |
| South Carolina | $46,260 |
| Georgia | $45,850 |
| Indiana | $43,960 |
| Michigan | $42,530 |
| Florida | $41,420 |
| Utah | $40,600 |
| Oklahoma | $40,400 |
| Alabama | $40,050 |
| Mississippi | $37,390 |
| Montana | $35,670 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $82,250 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $75,200 |
| New Orleans, LA | $74,910 |
| Charleston, SC | $66,570 |
| Norwich, CT | $64,380 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $64,120 |
| Buffalo, NY | $61,700 |
| Boise City, ID | $61,530 |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,600 |
| Portland, OR | $60,180 |
| Green Bay, WI | $58,890 |
| Asheville, NC | $58,450 |
| Springfield, MO | $58,320 |
| New York, NY | $57,900 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $57,690 |
In other countries
Welding belongs to the international group "Welders and flamecutters".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Welder$53,750
- 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 welding make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $23.04 ($47,920 a year).
How much does a welding make a month?
About $3,993 a month before tax, based on a median of $47,920 a year.
How much does a welding make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,860 or less a year ($17.72 an hour); the top 10% make $66,540 or more.
Which state pays weldings the most?
Arizona, with a median of $70,150 a year, followed by Alaska ($62,700) and Washington ($58,990).
Which city pays weldings the most?
Tuscaloosa, AL, with a median of $82,250 a year.
How many weldings are there in the United States?
About 31,600 people work as weldings.
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.