How much do welders make? The truth on welder salary

In the face of a shortage, it is natural to witness a rise in costs. This principle aligns with basic economics: when a highly demanded resource is limited in supply, consumers can anticipate paying higher prices compared to periods of lower demand or abundant availability.

Over the past few years, welders have found themselves perplexed by the consistent clamor in their industry regarding a shortage of skilled workers. According to the American Welding Society, it is estimated that the U.S. industry will face a shortage of more than 450,000 competent welders by 2022, which is undoubtedly a substantial deficit (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were nearly 425,000 welding jobs in existence in 2018). Consequently, one might consider this scarcity as an opportune time for wages to increase, given the impending shortfall.

Complicating matters further are the voices of pundits and the vast expanse of the internet. After hearing numerous accounts, it is possible to be misled into believing that the starting salary for a welder is $40,000. This figure is commonly thrown around; however, it represents the median salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for welders in 2018 was $41,380. It is crucial to understand that the median denotes that 50 percent of welders earned less than this amount, while the other 50 percent earned more. Adding to the confusion, an editorial titled “Welders Make $150,000? Bring Back Shop Class” was published in The Wall Street Journal in April 2014, which continues to exist as propaganda enticing young individuals to pursue welding, even though it focused on a specific type of welder and their specialized skill set. Additionally, it is worth mentioning those who search “underwater welder salary” on the internet. If an underwater welder can earn $300,000 in a year, then surely a welder on land can make half of that, right?

The reality of the situation is that welders can earn a decent living, even at the entry level, but they generally won’t immediately command top dollar. Like any profession, most individuals must start at the bottom and work their way up.

While wages are indeed increasing, they may not be rising at a rate that matches the hype surrounding the shortage of skilled workers. The WELDER, a sister publication to The FABRICATOR, conducted readership surveys in which subscribers were asked about the hourly pay for entry-level welders at their respective companies (see Figure 1). In 2015, only 26 percent of respondents reported paying more than $17 per hour. By 2017, this figure had risen to 28 percent, and in the most recent survey, conducted this year, it reached 43 percent.

Rob Abfall, the chief operating officer of Amerequip Corp., a fabricator specializing in custom equipment for the lawn, landscape, agricultural, and construction markets, revealed that the company struggled to attract and retain workers in 2017 and early 2018. This situation led them to turn down work opportunities. Between 2012 and 2017, the company’s workforce grew from 125 employees to 300. To stabilize the workforce later in 2018, one of their initial steps involved increasing wages.

“We renegotiated the contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union and implemented more significant raises than initially agreed upon,” Abfall explained.

Amerequip raised starting wages to more than $15 per hour and elevated starting wages for welders to over $18 per hour. This wage increase, coupled with an agreement to introduce a weekend shift that offered 40 hours of pay for a 36-hour shift spanning Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, helped stabilize the workforce. This stabilization allowed management to concentrate on filling open production capacity and improving efficiency to introduce new capacity.

The need to boost welder wages is not limited to Kiel, Wisconsin, where Amerequip is located. With Amazon establishing distribution centers nationwide and many metropolitan areas adopting a minimum wage of $15, fabricating companies have been compelled to raise wages. As indicated by The WELDER’s readership survey, companies have had to take aggressive measures to adjust wages in order to attract entry-level workers.

Of course, this is only one aspect of the story concerning welders and their earning potential. Let’s explore additional factors that contribute to determining the expected income for welders.

Figure 1
Over the past five years, the number of shops paying welders at least $17 per hour has risen dramatically.

Experience Impacts Welder Salary

The few occasions you tinkered with your father’s welding power source in the garage during your childhood cannot be considered as legitimate welding experience. However, many individuals still believe they are fully prepared to dive into the field of welding.

Nevertheless, reality has a way of dispelling such notions. To truly unlock the earning potential of welding, one must invest time and effort into honing their skills.

This notion may not align with the stereotype attributed to millennials, who currently comprise the largest generational cohort in the U.S. workforce, totaling 56 million individuals according to the Pew Research Center. Often driven by a desire for immediate financial gratification, they may lack the necessary experience and expertise to warrant such remuneration.

Scott Mazzulla, the president and CEO of the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio, sheds light on this phenomenon. He notes that unrealistic expectations of aspiring welders seeking underwater welding careers solely for the pay quickly fade once confronted with the realities of the profession.

Mazzulla emphasizes the strength of the current job market, citing the high quit rate as evidence. The U.S. Labor Department reported a post-recession peak in the quit rate in July. Mazzulla’s discussions with alumni from the Hobart Institute further corroborate these findings.

He explains, “Today, they can offer you what you want, or they can probably find a job elsewhere that pays a dollar or more per hour because the demand is so high.”

Ryan Blythe, the founder of the Georgia Trade School in Acworth, Georgia, shares insights gained from eight years of training welders at his private technical institution. Blythe has witnessed the rewarding prospects that await welders who dedicate themselves to their craft over several years. It is not uncommon for successful alumni to earn $30 to $35 per hour.

Blythe observes, “I’ve noticed that graduates from four or five years ago are now buying houses and starting families. In many cases, their situations are far more favorable than their contemporaries who attended college and are currently struggling.”

It remains clear that those who diligently refine their welding skills will find themselves in a more advantageous position than those who do not. Highly skilled welders are more likely to maintain employment even during economic downturns, which are inevitable despite the absence of one in the U.S. for the past 12 years.

Mazzulla asserts, “When the market declines, more people will flock to welding schools. As a result, companies that require, let’s say, 30 welders today might only need 20 when the economy weakens. Consequently, the competition for those jobs will intensify, and the subpar or mediocre welders will struggle to find work due to their inadequate skill sets.”

Welding Pay Varies by Job

Are you skilled in welding and open to traveling? You have the potential to earn significantly more money than someone working in a fabrication shop just a short distance from their home.

According to Mazzulla, there are around 2,500 job openings available to graduates of the Hobart Institute, offered by 400 different employers. Some of the positions listed on the job board pay $40 per hour with an additional $85 per diem. These opportunities mainly involve pipeline work, requiring graduates to be willing to travel to where the projects are located.

It’s not uncommon for specialized welding skills to command higher wages compared to positions that don’t require certifications. As an example, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association’s 2019 Salar/Wage & Benefit Survey indicates that a code welder in the metal fabricating industry earns a median salary of $53,000, which is higher than a welder with only two years of experience, whose median salary is $44,096.

Blythe mentioned that certain companies are transparent about the earning potential for welders. He cited Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., as an example, stating that they clearly communicate to welders that passing a welding test for a specific level guarantees a certain wage. As welders gain more experience, they can take additional skill tests to further increase their pay.

Naturally, wages vary based on geographical location (refer to Figures 2 and 3). Locations such as Alaska and North Dakota offer some of the highest hourly wages for welders, but this is closely tied to the demand for domestic energy production, involving the construction, maintenance, and repair of pipelines and rigs. Hawaii and California also rank among the top 10 states with the highest hourly wages for welders, but the cost of living in these areas is much higher compared to the Deep South states, for example.

Employers Will Pay Higher Welder Salary for Leaders

The discussion surrounding welders’ wages often overlooks or disregards an important aspect: employers are not merely seeking individuals capable of laying down consistent welds. They desire employees who possess punctuality, intellectual curiosity, and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, passing a drug test is often a requirement.

Over the years, we have observed the remarkable growth of our graduates from 2013 to the present. Employers, particularly those in fabrication shops, now seek individuals who have the potential to become shop managers or foremen. They aspire to find someone who can ascend the professional ladder.

These employers aim to shape their employees into successful contributors within their manufacturing environments. When they discover a skilled worker who fits this profile, they should strive to retain them. This symbiotic relationship should foster contentment for both the employer and the welder.

It is crucial to emphasize the multifaceted nature of welding careers and the importance of attributes beyond technical proficiency. By recognizing and valuing qualities such as reliability, intellectual curiosity, teamwork, and a commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace, employers can cultivate a workforce that thrives in their specific manufacturing settings. Ultimately, this approach contributes to the overall satisfaction and success of both employers and welders.