Welder Salary Overview
The Welder is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $47,540. Compensation typically ranges from $32,200 for entry-level positions to $72,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Welder in the US earns between $32,200 and $72,600 per year, with a median of $47,540.
Welder Salary by Experience
Entry-level welders earn around $30,901, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $64,179 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $30,901 | $15/hr | $26,451 |
| Mid | $47,540 | $23/hr | $39,094 |
| Senior | $66,081 | $32/hr | $52,489 |
| Lead | $75,113 | $36/hr | $58,105 |
Welder Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Welder in each US state.
Pay for welders varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,212 | $3,637 | $38,025 | 20.0% |
| Alaska | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| Arizona | $47,540 | $3,666 | $824 | $3,637 | $39,413 | 17.1% |
| Arkansas | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,866 | $3,637 | $38,371 | 19.3% |
| California | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,143 | $3,637 | $39,094 | 17.8% |
| Colorado | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,432 | $3,637 | $38,805 | 18.4% |
| Connecticut | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,889 | $3,637 | $38,348 | 19.3% |
| Delaware | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,072 | $3,637 | $38,165 | 19.7% |
| District of Columbia | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,776 | $3,637 | $38,460 | 19.1% |
| Florida | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| Georgia | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,951 | $3,637 | $38,286 | 19.5% |
| Hawaii | $47,540 | $3,666 | $3,003 | $3,637 | $37,233 | 21.7% |
| Idaho | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,911 | $3,637 | $38,326 | 19.4% |
| Illinois | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,216 | $3,637 | $38,021 | 20.0% |
| Indiana | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,450 | $3,637 | $38,787 | 18.4% |
| Iowa | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,807 | $3,637 | $38,430 | 19.2% |
| Kansas | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,053 | $3,637 | $38,184 | 19.7% |
| Kentucky | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,775 | $3,637 | $38,462 | 19.1% |
| Louisiana | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,458 | $3,637 | $38,779 | 18.4% |
| Maine | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,976 | $3,637 | $38,261 | 19.5% |
| Maryland | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,085 | $3,637 | $38,152 | 19.7% |
| Massachusetts | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,157 | $3,637 | $38,080 | 19.9% |
| Michigan | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,782 | $3,637 | $38,454 | 19.1% |
| Minnesota | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,782 | $3,637 | $38,455 | 19.1% |
| Mississippi | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,656 | $3,637 | $38,581 | 18.8% |
| Missouri | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,411 | $3,637 | $38,826 | 18.3% |
| Montana | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,697 | $3,637 | $38,539 | 18.9% |
| Nebraska | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,279 | $3,637 | $38,958 | 18.1% |
| Nevada | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| New Hampshire | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| New Jersey | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,134 | $3,637 | $39,103 | 17.7% |
| New Mexico | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,335 | $3,637 | $38,902 | 18.2% |
| New York | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,099 | $3,637 | $38,137 | 19.8% |
| North Carolina | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,566 | $3,637 | $38,671 | 18.7% |
| North Dakota | $47,540 | $3,666 | $642 | $3,637 | $39,595 | 16.7% |
| Ohio | $47,540 | $3,666 | $590 | $3,637 | $39,647 | 16.6% |
| Oklahoma | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,768 | $3,637 | $38,469 | 19.1% |
| Oregon | $47,540 | $3,666 | $3,635 | $3,637 | $36,602 | 23.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,459 | $3,637 | $38,777 | 18.4% |
| Rhode Island | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,387 | $3,637 | $38,850 | 18.3% |
| South Carolina | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,415 | $3,637 | $38,822 | 18.3% |
| South Dakota | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| Tennessee | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| Texas | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| Utah | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,211 | $3,637 | $38,026 | 20.0% |
| Vermont | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,356 | $3,637 | $38,880 | 18.2% |
| Virginia | $47,540 | $3,666 | $2,217 | $3,637 | $38,020 | 20.0% |
| Washington | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
| West Virginia | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,595 | $3,637 | $38,642 | 18.7% |
| Wisconsin | $47,540 | $3,666 | $1,432 | $3,637 | $38,805 | 18.4% |
| Wyoming | $47,540 | $3,666 | $0 | $3,637 | $40,237 | 15.4% |
Top Cities for Welder Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for welders tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $52,294 |
| Honolulu, HI | $52,294 |
| Seattle, WA | $52,294 |
| Houston, TX | $52,294 |
| San Francisco, CA | $52,294 |
Calculate Welder Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Welder
Becoming a welder typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Welder Career Outlook
Employment of welders is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Welder Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for welders in the US is $47,540, with a typical range from $32,200 to $72,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for welders include AK, HI, WY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $30,901 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a welder can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for welders is approximately $22.86, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.