Are you interested in how cars and other metal machines are built? Do you have what it takes to work with dangerous equipment and machinery? Read on to learn more about the average salary of a welder and job outlook information for this career.
Job Duties
If you are a welder, your duties will depend upon the equipment you use and the industry you're employed in. There are more than 100 different processes and techniques that a welder can use, but arc welding is a common technique for many situations. This type of welding creates heat through electrical currents to melt and then combine separate metal items into one piece.
Different types of metals require different welding techniques. In addition to being familiar with hands-on techniques, you'll need to understand how to operate welding machinery. Before beginning your work, you'll need to consult blueprints to ensure your finished work matches what is required.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Required Education</td><td> High school diploma or GED; some employers may prefer postsecondary education</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-the-Job Training</td><td> Ranges from several weeks to a few years</td></tr>
<tr><td>Professional Certification</td><td> Voluntary certification offered by the American Welding Society</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Technical and spatial-orientation skills; manual dexterity; physical strength and stamina</td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Manufacturing and construction settings, both indoors and outdoors</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td> Boilermaker, metal and plastic machine worker, sheet metal worker</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---SalaryOverview">Salary Overview</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean hourly salary for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in May 2021 was $23.21 an hour, or an annual average income of $48,290. If you were in the top ten percent of wage earners in this occupation during this period, you would have earned $63,660 or more annually. If you were in the bottom ten percent of wage earners in this occupation, you would have earned $31,350 annually or less.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryByIndustry">Salary by Industry</h3><p>The BLS reported that the 'Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution' industry paid the most in May 2021, with an annual average income of $92,130. The 'Natural Gas Distribution' and 'Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil' industries also had high average annual salaries of $88,940 and $87,900 respectively.
</p><p>The 'Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing' industry had the highest employment level in May 2021, and the average pay was $22.02 per hour, which is $45,800 annually. The 'Machinery Manufacturing' industry had the second-highest employment level. Its average pay was $22.21 an hour and $46,200 per year.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryByState">Salary by State</h3><p>The top-paying state in May 2021 was the District of Columbia, where the hourly average wage was $34.25 and the annual income was $71,230, according to the BLS. Mean annual wages for other states with the highest pay were $66,020 for Hawaii, $70,490 for Alaska, $63,280 for Wyoming and $57,550 for North Dakota. Florida, South Dakota and Kentucky were some states with the lowest annual average pay. Professionals in these locations made average salaries of $25,480-$44,610.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryByExperience">Salary by Experience</h3><p>According to a January 2023 report by <i>PayScale.com', welders possessing less than five years of experience had an average hourly earnings of $17.04 - $18.39. Those with 5-9 years of experience made $20.44 an hour, while those with 10-19 years of experience made higher hourly wage of $21.96. And those with more than 20 years of experience made an hourly wage of $24.
</i></p><h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3><p>Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers were expected to see 2% employment growth over the 2021 through 2031 decade, according to the BLS. Decent job opportunities should be available, especially in the manufacturing industries, if you're qualified and skilled. Because the skill sets of a welder are easily transferable to other industries, employment is available, especially if you're willing to relocate. The states with the highest concentration of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in May 2021 were South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Louisiana and Oklahoma according to the BLS.</p>
