How Much Does a Welder Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$53,750
Welders in the U.S. earn a median of $53,750 a year, or $25.84 an hour. Half of welders earn more than $53,750 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $77,530.
Pay percentiles for welders
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.87 | $39,240 |
| 25th | $22.50 | $46,790 |
| 50th (median) | $25.84 | $53,750 |
| 75th | $30.29 | $63,010 |
| 90th | $37.28 | $77,530 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for welders
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,840 | $38.87 | +50% |
| Hawaii | $79,000 | $37.98 | +47% |
| Connecticut | $64,880 | $31.19 | +21% |
| Wyoming | $63,820 | $30.69 | +19% |
| Washington | $63,020 | $30.30 | +17% |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 | $30.08 | +16% |
| New Hampshire | $62,360 | $29.98 | +16% |
| Louisiana | $62,250 | $29.93 | +16% |
| Maine | $62,220 | $29.92 | +16% |
| North Dakota | $62,000 | $29.81 | +15% |
| United States | $53,750 | $25.84 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many welders are there?
BLS counts about 416,210 welders employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers”. The most jobs are in Texas (52,000), California (26,060) and Ohio (20,330).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,760, higher than the median of $53,750.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,479
- Biweekly
- $2,067
- Weekly
- $1,034
- Daily (8 hours)
- $207
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do welders make an hour?
The median hourly wage for welders is $25.84. The middle 50% earn between $22.50 and $30.29 an hour.
Which state pays welders the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for welders at $80,840, +50% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for welders?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of welders earn less than $39,240 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.