How Much Does a Welding Inspector Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$48,570
Welding inspectors in the U.S. earn a median of $48,570 a year, or $23.35 an hour. Half of welding inspectors earn more than $48,570 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $77,860.
Pay percentiles for welding inspectors
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.07 | $35,510 |
| 25th | $19.18 | $39,890 |
| 50th (median) | $23.35 | $48,570 |
| 75th | $29.54 | $61,440 |
| 90th | $37.44 | $77,860 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (SOC 51-9061). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for welding inspectors
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $78,150 | $37.57 | +61% |
| Washington | $64,420 | $30.97 | +33% |
| Maryland | $61,790 | $29.71 | +27% |
| Hawaii | $59,740 | $28.72 | +23% |
| District of Columbia | $59,730 | $28.71 | +23% |
| Colorado | $58,350 | $28.06 | +20% |
| Montana | $58,070 | $27.92 | +20% |
| Wyoming | $57,900 | $27.84 | +19% |
| Delaware | $57,190 | $27.50 | +18% |
| Minnesota | $57,170 | $27.49 | +18% |
| United States | $48,570 | $23.35 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many welding inspectors are there?
BLS counts about 597,370 welding inspectors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers”. The most jobs are in California (61,130), Texas (56,390) and Ohio (32,060).
The mean (average) annual wage is $53,450, higher than the median of $48,570.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,048
- Biweekly
- $1,868
- Weekly
- $934
- Daily (8 hours)
- $187
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do welding inspectors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for welding inspectors is $23.35. The middle 50% earn between $19.18 and $29.54 an hour.
Which state pays welding inspectors the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for welding inspectors at $78,150, +61% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for welding inspectors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of welding inspectors earn less than $35,510 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.