In short
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers earned a median $53,750 a year in May 2025, about $26 an hour, according to BLS. The bottom 10 percent earned under $39,240 and the top 10 percent over $77,530. Production welding sits toward the bottom of that range. Certified pipe welders, union welders in other trades and welders who travel for industrial work tend to reach the top.
Yearly wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers across the U.S., BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly figures divide by 2,080 hours, so overtime is not counted. New apprentices usually sit near or below the bottom-quarter line.
| Middle pay | $53,750 a year, roughly $25.84 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then moderate-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 437,700 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 2.4% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 40,300, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Which welding jobs pay more
| Kind of work | Where pay tends to sit |
|---|---|
| Production line welding | Bottom to middle |
| Structural and fabrication shop | Middle |
| Certified pipe welding | Middle to top |
| Industrial shutdowns and travel work | Top, with per diem and overtime |
| Welders in pipefitter or boilermaker unions | Often counted under those trades, at their wage scales |
Getting to the top of the range
Pass more difficult certification tests, especially pipe positions; learn TIG and stainless; be willing to travel. Many of the best paid welders hold a union card in a trade that welds. Our page on welding certifications explains the tests.
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Straight answers
How much do welders make an hour?
The median works out to about $26 an hour.
What type of welder makes the most?
Pipe welders and welders doing specialized industrial or travel work usually earn the most.
How fast can a welder's pay go up?
Passing harder certification tests and moving to pipe or industrial work can raise pay quickly compared with production work.