How much does a Welder make?

The average salary for a Welder is $56,655 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 7607 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Welder employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Welder in United States is $69,314 per year.

The lowest salary for a Welder in United States is $46,480 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Welder or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Welder.

Welding provides fulfilling and accessible work to candidates who wish to pursue mastery in a vocational trade instead of a four-year academic education. Pay for welding roles is similar to that of other skilled trades such as automotive specialists and bakers. Many manufacturing firms have two to three shifts varying between eight to twelve hours in length. This schedule allows them to produce around the clock. Welders can increase their pay by working multiple shifts.

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According to Glassdoor data, around 63% of welders are satisfied with their salaries. In addition to a regular salary, welders may earn $3,319.88 each year. It's also common to receive company and union benefits, such as medical insurance and retirement plans.

Based on data collected by Glassdoor, welders have an annual salary that averages around $53,335.59. New welders will likely start around $38,918.64. Throughout a welder's career path, assuming skills and performance improve, the welder should have an opportunity to earn a higher salary and more lucrative overtime opportunities, eventually reaching a maximum salary of around $82,973.10.

If you already have a job, you can take steps to earn a higher salary as a welder. As you learn more advanced welds and get better at doing the common welds more quickly, you should be able to move up, eventually becoming a senior or lead welder. Focus on improving your ability to read complex blueprints, as well as improving the quality of your flat groove and horizontal flat fillet welds using manual, semi-automatic, and automatic welding equipment. Your welds should receive passing scores on Ultrasonic inspections. You may also find your career advancing more quickly if you receive training on Flux Core and Carbon Arcing Weld processes.

If you are just starting your career, you may be able to demand a higher salary by doing well in your welder job interview and showing off some impressive example welds.

For those already in a welder role and looking to negotiate a higher salary, do a welder job search for your desired position and talk about why you exceed those requirements. Be prepared to discuss your performance and safety metrics and provide examples of advanced welds. Make certain to discuss examples of leadership skills. If you are a top performer in the shop, don't be afraid to ask for a raise.