Welder Salary (2026): How Much Do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Make?

National and state-by-state median wages · BLS OEWS data · Updated August 12, 2026

National Median$53,934
Per Hour$25.93
Total Jobs$416,160
Highest Paying StateAlaska

Welder Salary by State (All 50 States + DC)

#StateMedian Annual Salaryvs. NationalJobs
1Alaska$80,840▲ 50%$790
2Hawaii$79,000▲ 46%$520
3Connecticut$64,880▲ 20%$1,790
4Wyoming$63,820▲ 18%$1,850
5Washington$63,020▲ 17%$7,720
6Massachusetts$62,570▲ 16%$2,830
7New Hampshire$62,360▲ 16%$1,110
8Louisiana$62,250▲ 15%$13,690
9Maine$62,220▲ 15%$1,690
10North Dakota$62,000▲ 15%$2,590
11Nevada$61,520▲ 14%$1,600
12Vermont$60,890▲ 13%$340
13Maryland$60,310▲ 12%$2,850
14Minnesota$60,280▲ 12%$9,270
15District of Columbia$60,180▲ 12%$280
16New Mexico$59,840▲ 11%$2,390
17Oregon$59,450▲ 10%$5,240
18New Jersey$59,440▲ 10%$3,730
19Virginia$59,180▲ 10%$10,100
20New York$59,140▲ 10%$8,310
21Colorado$58,590▲ 9%$4,970
22Wisconsin$58,410▲ 8%$15,320
23Utah$58,380▲ 8%$4,440
24California$58,060▲ 8%$26,060
25Delaware$57,270▲ 6%$600
26Montana$55,610▲ 3%$1,530
27Arizona$55,600▲ 3%$7,270
28Iowa$55,090▲ 2%$9,270
29Texas$53,340▼ 1%$52,000
30Pennsylvania$52,900▼ 2%$17,850
31Nebraska$52,220▼ 3%$4,200
32Missouri$51,950▼ 4%$10,600
33Kentucky$51,470▼ 5%$6,630
34Illinois$51,320▼ 5%$16,260
35Mississippi$51,100▼ 5%$6,460
36Florida$50,640▼ 6%$16,420
37North Carolina$50,590▼ 6%$11,750
38Rhode Island$50,580▼ 6%$2,300
39Idaho$50,530▼ 6%$3,300
40Ohio$50,340▼ 7%$20,330
41Michigan$49,990▼ 7%$13,330
42South Carolina$49,980▼ 7%$7,380
43Indiana$49,730▼ 8%$13,280
44Oklahoma$49,720▼ 8%$9,960
45South Dakota$49,440▼ 8%$3,250
46Kansas$49,410▼ 8%$6,370
47West Virginia$48,810▼ 10%$2,100
48Alabama$48,490▼ 10%$12,450
49Georgia$48,430▼ 10%$13,130
50Tennessee$48,040▼ 11%$12,510
51Arkansas$47,970▼ 11%$6,150

FAQ

How much does a Welder make?

The national median annual salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $53,934, about $25.93 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.

What state pays welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers the most?

Alaska tops the list at $80,840 per year.

What state pays welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers the least?

Arkansas has the lowest median at $47,970.

How much does a Welder make per hour?

At the national median, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn about $25.93 per hour (based on a 2,080-hour work year).

Where are the most welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers employed?

The table above shows total jobs per state; states with the largest numbers of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers include Texas.