Research Summary. After thorough analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest data on welder salaries across all U.S. states as of 2026:
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Massachusetts maintains the highest welder salary at $53,090
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Arkansas continues to have the lowest welder salary at $33,461
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The national average salary for welders is now $39,696
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The current national hourly wage for welders is $19.08
For further insights, you can explore our specific methodology.
Background
When it comes to job satisfaction, salary remains the top concern for many professionals. So, how much do welders earn in your area? While individual salaries can vary, we provide comprehensive data on average welder salaries by state, segmented by seniority level. Although your city’s figures might slightly differ from the state averages, these insights will help set your salary expectations.
As of 2026, Massachusetts offers the most competitive salary for welders in the U.S.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for welder salaries:
Let’s delve into the specifics and review a full ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Welders By State
| Rank | State | Average Welder Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $53,090 | $35,000 | $79,000 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $50,543 | $33,000 | $77,000 |
| 3 | Alaska | $49,549 | $39,000 | $62,000 |
| 4 | Delaware | $49,500 | $32,000 | $74,000 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $48,842 | $37,000 | $64,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $48,073 | $31,000 | $72,000 |
| 7 | Maine | $47,753 | $32,000 | $69,000 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $47,640 | $31,000 | $71,000 |
| 9 | Maryland | $46,542 | $31,000 | $69,000 |
| 10 | Vermont | $46,496 | $31,000 | $68,000 |
| 11 | New York | $45,824 | $30,000 | $69,000 |
| 12 | Washington | $44,917 | $32,000 | $61,000 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $44,265 | $29,000 | $65,000 |
| 14 | California | $44,031 | $30,000 | $63,000 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $43,943 | $31,000 | $60,000 |
| 16 | Nevada | $43,643 | $30,000 | $62,000 |
| 17 | Oregon | $43,411 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $42,878 | $28,000 | $64,000 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $42,656 | $32,000 | $56,000 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $42,594 | $31,000 | $58,000 |
| 21 | Arizona | $42,066 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 22 | Virginia | $41,616 | $28,000 | $60,000 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $41,112 | $29,000 | $56,000 |
| 24 | Colorado | $40,994 | $30,000 | $54,000 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $40,569 | $28,000 | $58,000 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $39,960 | $29,000 | $53,000 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $38,314 | $27,000 | $53,000 |
| 28 | Texas | $38,153 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 29 | Utah | $38,098 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $37,679 | $27,000 | $51,000 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $37,678 | $29,000 | $47,000 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $37,440 | $26,000 | $52,000 |
| 33 | Illinois | $37,438 | $27,000 | $51,000 |
| 34 | Michigan | $37,290 | $26,000 | $53,000 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $37,279 | $27,000 | $50,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $37,186 | $26,000 | $51,000 |
| 37 | Ohio | $36,920 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 38 | Missouri | $36,345 | $27,000 | $48,000 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $36,339 | $26,000 | $49,000 |
| 40 | Iowa | $36,252 | $27,000 | $48,000 |
| 41 | Alabama | $35,546 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 42 | Idaho | $35,431 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 43 | Kansas | $35,265 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $35,068 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 45 | Montana | $35,056 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 46 | Florida | $34,810 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $34,707 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $34,681 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $34,569 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $33,461 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
Methodology: Welder Salary By State
To gain a clearer picture of welder compensation across various states, Zippia has consolidated data from multiple sources including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is then complemented by actual salaries from job postings. Finally, our data science team computes a weighted average to derive the average pay for welders in each state.
We utilized annual salary estimates to rank every state based on average welder income, identifying the state with the highest average salary.
Welder Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for welders?
The top-paying state for welders is Massachusetts, with an average salary of $53,090 per year.
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What city pays welders the most?
Woburn, MA offers the highest average salary for welders at $52,906 per year.
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What is the worst state for welders?
The state with the lowest average salary for welders is Arkansas, at $33,461 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
