Welder
If it's metal, you build it.
Median Salary
$47,540
Apprenticeship
1–3 years
Union Presence
Low
Physical Demand
High
Job Demand
Moderate
Welders join metal parts using heat and pressure — from skyscrapers to pipelines to shipyards to aerospace. The field has huge specialization potential, and certified welders in specialized processes (TIG, underwater welding) command premium wages.
What Welders Earn
National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
25th Percentile
$36,390
Entry level
Median
$47,540
Mid-career
75th Percentile
$60,150
Experienced
90th Percentile
$73,270
Top earners
Salary by State
Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS
Career Path
From day one to running your own operation
Entry-Level Welder
$32,000–$42,000Years 0–2
Complete a welding certificate program (6–18 months) or learn on the job. Start with basic MIG and stick welding processes on production or construction work.
Certified Welder
$42,000–$58,000Years 2–5
Pass AWS (American Welding Society) certification tests in additional processes like TIG and flux-core. Certifications directly translate to higher pay on specialized projects.
Specialized / Structural Welder
$58,000–$85,000Years 5–10
Work in high-demand sectors — pipeline, structural steel, shipbuilding, aerospace. Pipeline welders and certified pipe welders are among the highest-paid hands-on tradespeople.
Welding Inspector / Supervisor
$70,000–$100,000+Years 8+
Pursue CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) certification from AWS. Inspectors review weld quality on major infrastructure projects and earn strong salaries without the physical demands.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Fastest entry into the trades — certificates in as little as 6 months
- ✓Massive range of industries: construction, oil & gas, aerospace, manufacturing
- ✓Specialized certifications (TIG, pipe, underwater) command premium rates
- ✓Strong need for welders nationwide, especially in pipeline and structural work
- ✓Welding inspector (CWI) path offers excellent wages with less physical strain
Challenges
- ✕Median wages are lower than other trades until you specialize
- ✕Physical demands are high — prolonged awkward positions, heavy equipment
- ✕Safety hazards: fumes, UV light, heat, fire — proper PPE is non-negotiable
- ✕Much of the work is project-based with some periods between jobs
How to Get Started
Step-by-step path into the welder trade
- 1
Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — most run 6–18 months and are affordable.
Find welding programs → - 2
Start with SMAW (stick) and GMAW (MIG) — the most common entry-level processes. Build on those to increase your pay.
- 3
Get AWS D1.1 structural steel certification to qualify for construction and higher-paying project work.
Prep for AWS D1.1 → - 4
Want pipeline or industrial work? Apply to union pipefitter or boilermaker locals — they often take experienced welders.
Browse union programs → - 5
The long game: pursue CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) through aws.org after 5+ years — a management track paying $70K–$100K+ with less physical strain.
Get the Free Welder Salary Guide
Median wages for welders across all 50 states, pulled directly from BLS data. Free, no strings.