Welder Salary Guide
National median: $53,750/yr · Range: $40,850–$67,725 · Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
Last updated: 2026-07-04
National Welder Salary Overview
Data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2025 OEWS. O*NET code: 51-4121.00. SOC occupation: 51-4121 (Welder).
Welder Salary by City — Top 20 Metros
| Metro Area | 25th Pct | Median | 75th Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $58,200 | $66,240 | $75,210 |
| San Francisco, CA | $56,680 | $64,320 | $78,920 |
| San Jose, CA | $57,420 | $64,140 | $76,730 |
| San Diego, CA | $50,400 | $62,560 | $76,630 |
| New York, NY | $52,790 | $61,680 | $75,930 |
| Austin, TX | $47,060 | $59,040 | $67,000 |
| Denver, CO | $47,870 | $58,890 | $70,760 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $49,700 | $58,380 | $68,890 |
| Houston, TX | $46,470 | $57,940 | $71,460 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,890 | $56,540 | $65,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,910 | $56,160 | $64,800 |
| Charlotte, NC | $47,420 | $56,070 | $62,740 |
| Chicago, IL | $46,270 | $52,650 | $61,750 |
| Dallas, TX | $46,180 | $51,630 | $62,670 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $46,180 | $51,630 | $62,670 |
| Columbus, OH | $47,400 | $51,260 | $60,140 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $46,590 | $51,070 | $62,550 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $46,290 | $50,640 | $61,140 |
| Nashville, TN | $43,730 | $49,460 | $61,100 |
| San Antonio, TX | $45,010 | $48,220 | $60,930 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. Click any city for detailed local salary data.
Welder Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Typical Salary | Years of Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Welder | $38,700 | 0–2 years |
| Mid-level Welder | $49,450 | 3–5 years |
| Senior Welder | $63,425 | 5–8 years |
| Staff / Lead Welder | $76,325 | 8–12 years |
| Principal / Director | $90,300 | 12+ years |
Career path estimates derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 national benchmarks. Actual salaries vary by company, location, and skills.
Skills That Raise Welder Salary
Professionals with these skills typically earn 15–35% above the median:
- AWS certification (e.g. D1.1)
- TIG welding
- Pipe welding (6G position)
- Blueprint & WPS reading
- Multi-process experience (MIG, stick, flux-core)
How to Negotiate a Welder Offer
The most effective salary negotiation for Welder roles follows three steps:
- Anchor with data. Quote BLS OEWS median ($53,750) and top-metro benchmarks as your reference point. Numbers beat feelings.
- Frame with ROI. Describe a specific project outcome in dollar terms: "I reduced churn by 8%, which retained $2M ARR." This turns the conversation from cost to investment.
- Negotiate total comp. If base is firm, ask about sign-on bonus, equity refresh, additional PTO, or a 6-month review. Employers have more flexibility in these buckets.
Welder Salary by City — All 90 Locations
Median Welder pay in every metro we track, grouped by state (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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