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Mig welder salary
Average mig welder salary
$35,476
Average MIG Welder Salary
The average salary for a MIG welder in the United States is $35,476 per year, or approximately $17 per hour. Salary levels vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and specific industry needs. For entry-level welders, salaries may start lower, while those with specialized skills and experience can earn considerably more.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience plays a critical role in determining salary levels. Entry-level welders typically earn around $30,000, while those with five to ten years of experience can see salaries rise to $45,000 or more. Additionally, welders in supervisory or specialized roles can command even higher wages, making continuous skill development essential for career advancement.
Where to Find Higher Salaries
Geographic location greatly influences salary potential. States like California and Texas often offer higher wages due to demand for skilled welders. Researching job openings in these areas can help you identify lucrative opportunities. Additionally, industries such as aerospace and construction tend to pay more than others, highlighting the importance of aligning your skills with market needs.
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Where can a MIG Welder earn more?
Mig welder salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level mig welder | $24,200 | $11.65 |
| Mid-level mig welder | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Senior-level mig welder | $51,800 | $24.91 |
Mig welder salary estimates from across the web
Average mig welder salary by state
The highest-paying states for mig welders are Alaska, Wyoming, and Washington. The lowest average mig welder salary states are Michigan, Kentucky, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for mig welders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $53,969 | $25.95 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $43,116 | $20.73 |
| 3 | Washington | $45,198 | $21.73 |
| 4 | Oregon | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $38,903 | $18.70 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $49,726 | $23.91 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $40,208 | $19.33 |
| 8 | Utah | $42,854 | $20.60 |
| 9 | Nevada | $41,354 | $19.88 |
| 10 | Iowa | $36,481 | $17.54 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $41,039 | $19.73 |
| 13 | Delaware | $40,169 | $19.31 |
| 14 | Arizona | $37,836 | $18.19 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $34,955 | $16.81 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $40,586 | $19.51 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $36,601 | $17.60 |
| 18 | Colorado | $39,873 | $19.17 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $35,309 | $16.98 |
| 20 | California | $40,836 | $19.63 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $40,568 | $19.50 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $35,435 | $17.04 |
| 23 | Kansas | $35,002 | $16.83 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| 25 | Maine | $34,573 | $16.62 |
| 26 | Indiana | $33,924 | $16.31 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $35,373 | $17.01 |
| 28 | Texas | $35,489 | $17.06 |
| 29 | Idaho | $35,884 | $17.25 |
| 30 | Missouri | $35,754 | $17.19 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $42,110 | $20.25 |
| 32 | Maryland | $40,047 | $19.25 |
| 33 | Vermont | $37,064 | $17.82 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $32,717 | $15.73 |
| 36 | Montana | $35,572 | $17.10 |
| 37 | Ohio | $33,108 | $15.92 |
| 38 | Illinois | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $37,089 | $17.83 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $32,213 | $15.49 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $33,372 | $16.04 |
| 42 | Virginia | $33,956 | $16.32 |
| 43 | Michigan | $32,588 | $15.67 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $35,696 | $17.16 |
| 45 | Alabama | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $34,487 | $16.58 |
| 47 | New York | $33,445 | $16.08 |
| 48 | Florida | $32,628 | $15.69 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $31,157 | $14.98 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $30,904 | $14.86 |
| 51 | Georgia | $30,227 | $14.53 |
Highest paying cities for mig welders
The highest-paying cities for mig welders are Salt Lake City, UT, Azusa, CA, and Minneapolis, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salt Lake City, UT | $42,746 | $20.55 |
| 2 | Azusa, CA | $40,547 | $19.49 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $40,220 | $19.34 |
| 4 | Aurora, CO | $39,848 | $19.16 |
| 5 | Council Bluffs, IA | $36,501 | $17.55 |
| 6 | Allentown, PA | $35,616 | $17.12 |
| 7 | Fort Worth, TX | $35,261 | $16.95 |
| 8 | Carol Stream, IL | $35,203 | $16.92 |
| 9 | Shawnee, KS | $34,946 | $16.80 |
| 10 | Grand Island, NE | $34,706 | $16.69 |
| 11 | Elkhart, IN | $34,584 | $16.63 |
| 12 | Virginia Beach, VA | $33,718 | $16.21 |
| 13 | Toledo, OH | $33,553 | $16.13 |
| 14 | Tulsa, OK | $33,481 | $16.10 |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $33,234 | $15.98 |
| 16 | Jackson, TN | $32,809 | $15.77 |
| 17 | Jacksonville, FL | $32,553 | $15.65 |
| 18 | Taylor, MI | $32,517 | $15.63 |
| 19 | Bessemer, AL | $31,999 | $15.38 |
| 20 | Douglasville, GA | $30,295 | $14.56 |
Mig welder salary details
A mig welder's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a mig welder's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $35,476 | $2,956 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying mig welder jobs
The highest paying types of mig welders are combo welder, pipe welder, and lead welder.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabricator | $34,922 | $2,910 | $16.79 | 7,772 |
| Metal Fabricator | $38,047 | $3,171 | $18.29 | 4,868 |
| Ship Fitter | $45,247 | $3,771 | $21.75 | 9,742 |
| Structural Welder | $42,868 | $3,572 | $20.61 | 9,651 |
| Millwright/Welder | $37,213 | $3,101 | $17.89 | 9,694 |
| Welder Fitter | $39,676 | $3,306 | $19.07 | 8,022 |
Top companies hiring mig welders now:
Which companies pay mig welders the most?
Mig welder salaries at Invacare and Knapheide are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average mig welder salary at companies like Systems and GPAC are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invacare | $47,816 | $22.99 |
| 2 | Knapheide | $46,756 | $22.48 |
| 3 | Systems | $44,804 | $21.54 |
| 4 | GPAC | $44,332 | $21.31 |
| 5 | Omaha Standard Palfinger | $42,924 | $20.64 |
| 6 | AGB | $42,755 | $20.56 |
| 7 | Safe Fleet | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| 8 | NOVAworks | $41,363 | $19.89 |
| 9 | Peerless Industrial Group | $41,363 | $19.89 |
| 10 | Florys | $41,236 | $19.82 |
| 11 | Cypress | $41,079 | $19.75 |
| 12 | Manchester Tank and Equipment | $40,762 | $19.60 |
| 13 | UFP Industries | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 14 | Twin Cities Stores | $40,384 | $19.42 |
| 15 | O'Neal Manufacturing Services | $40,057 | $19.26 |
| 16 | SpaceX | $39,992 | $19.23 |
| 17 | IMMI | $39,819 | $19.14 |
| 18 | Basin | $39,793 | $19.13 |
| 19 | Kewaunee Scientific | $39,639 | $19.06 |
| 20 | VisionCorp Rep | $39,475 | $18.98 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
MIG Welder salary by industry
The average mig welder salary varies across industries:
- The average mig welder salary in the automotive industry is $40,936, the highest of any industry.
- The average mig welder salary in the finance industry is $39,684.
- Mig welders in the professional industry earn an average salary of $36,370, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for mig welders
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $40,936 | $19.68 |
| 2 | Retail | $39,684 | $19.08 |
| 3 | Construction | $39,676 | $19.07 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $38,669 | $18.59 |
| 5 | Transportation | $37,956 | $18.25 |
| 6 | Professional | $36,370 | $17.49 |
High paying mig welder jobs
Mig welder salary trends
The average mig welder salary has risen by $6,639 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average mig welder earned $28,837 annually, but today, they earn $35,476 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for mig welders over the last decade.
Compare mig welder salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average mig welder salary over time
Compare mig welder salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Mig welder salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,500 | $17.06 | +3.8% |
| 2025 | $34,100 | $16.40 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $33,200 | $15.97 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $32,300 | $15.53 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $31,600 | $15.20 | +3.1% |
Recently added mig welder salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Power LLP | MIG Welder-3Rd Shift | Eagle, WI | 06/29/2025 | $44,349 |
| Aerotek | MIG Welder | Honey Brook, PA | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Aerotek | MIG Welder Position Weekly Pay-Start Asap | Olathe, KS | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Webco Manufacturing Inc. | Senior MIG Welder/Fabricator | Olathe, KS | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Skyline Products | MIG Welder-Aluminum | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Hire Go | MIG Welding Positions Available | Mustang, OK | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Pro Resources Staffing Services | MIG Welder-1St. Shift | Huntington, IN | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Malone Workforce Solutions | MIG Welder | Addison, IL | 06/27/2025 | $38,610 |
| Manpowergroup | MIG Welder | Elkhart, IN | 06/26/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | MIG Welder-No THC Drug Test | Washington, MO | 06/26/2025 | $46,436 |
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