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Welder Salary by State (2026): Complete Table + FAQs
Welders build and repair everything from pipelines to ships, and pay varies a lot by state and certification. This state-by-state table from the latest official U.S. BLS OEWS release shows hourly, monthly and yearly wages.
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS (latest release) · Last verified: 2026-10-08 · Methodology
Welder pay by state at a glance
| State | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $38.51 | $6,675 | $80,100 |
| Hawaii | $37.23 | $6,453 | $77,430 |
| Wyoming | $32.69 | $5,666 | $67,990 |
| Connecticut | $32.12 | $5,567 | $66,800 |
| Washington | $31.89 | $5,528 | $66,340 |
| Massachusetts | $31.28 | $5,421 | $65,050 |
| North Dakota | $31.19 | $5,407 | $64,880 |
| Nevada | $31.05 | $5,383 | $64,590 |
| Maryland | $30.97 | $5,368 | $64,410 |
| Louisiana | $30.65 | $5,313 | $63,750 |
| New Mexico | $30.64 | $5,310 | $63,720 |
| New Hampshire | $30.24 | $5,242 | $62,900 |
| New York | $30.20 | $5,234 | $62,810 |
| New Jersey | $30.05 | $5,208 | $62,500 |
| Maine | $29.78 | $5,161 | $61,930 |
| District of Columbia | $29.63 | $5,135 | $61,620 |
| California | $29.38 | $5,093 | $61,120 |
| Colorado | $29.04 | $5,034 | $60,410 |
| Virginia | $29.04 | $5,034 | $60,410 |
| Oregon | $29.03 | $5,033 | $60,390 |
| Minnesota | $29.02 | $5,030 | $60,360 |
| Vermont | $28.95 | $5,018 | $60,210 |
| Utah | $28.67 | $4,970 | $59,640 |
| Arizona | $28.39 | $4,920 | $59,040 |
| Montana | $28.21 | $4,890 | $58,680 |
| Delaware | $28.11 | $4,873 | $58,470 |
| Rhode Island | $27.97 | $4,848 | $58,180 |
| Wisconsin | $27.85 | $4,827 | $57,920 |
| Texas | $27.37 | $4,745 | $56,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $27.07 | $4,692 | $56,300 |
| Illinois | $26.89 | $4,661 | $55,930 |
| Iowa | $26.72 | $4,632 | $55,580 |
| Missouri | $26.67 | $4,623 | $55,470 |
| Nebraska | $26.58 | $4,608 | $55,290 |
| Idaho | $26.10 | $4,524 | $54,290 |
| Indiana | $26.07 | $4,518 | $54,220 |
| Florida | $25.98 | $4,503 | $54,030 |
| Michigan | $25.87 | $4,485 | $53,820 |
| North Carolina | $25.83 | $4,477 | $53,720 |
| Kentucky | $25.82 | $4,476 | $53,710 |
| Ohio | $25.66 | $4,448 | $53,370 |
| West Virginia | $25.65 | $4,446 | $53,350 |
| Mississippi | $25.45 | $4,411 | $52,930 |
| Oklahoma | $25.41 | $4,405 | $52,860 |
| Kansas | $25.38 | $4,398 | $52,780 |
| South Carolina | $25.06 | $4,343 | $52,120 |
| South Dakota | $24.99 | $4,332 | $51,980 |
| Georgia | $24.77 | $4,293 | $51,520 |
| Alabama | $24.58 | $4,260 | $51,120 |
| Tennessee | $24.26 | $4,204 | $50,450 |
| Arkansas | $24.05 | $4,168 | $50,020 |
The states that pay the most
Based on the data above, the top-paying states for this occupation are Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming, Connecticut, Washington. Always compare pay against cost of living — a lower dollar wage in a cheaper state can win.
- Alaska — $80,100 a year
- Hawaii — $77,430 a year
- Wyoming — $67,990 a year
- Connecticut — $66,800 a year
- Washington — $66,340 a year
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays welders the most?
The table above ranks every published state and Alaska currently leads. Union shops and specialized certification usually add a premium.
What is the average welder salary?
The U.S. mean welder wage is about $56,760 a year (about $27.29 per hour) in the latest BLS OEWS release, with a median near $53,750.
Which welding certs pay the most?
Pipe welding and structural certifications commonly sit at the top of the band — compare them against your state's column.
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