Welder Salary by Location
Find the highest paying states and regions for welders in America
Welder salaries can vary by as much as $26,390 between states. Discover where you can maximize your earning potential based on your location.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Welders
States with the highest average annual salaries for welders in 2025
Complete Welder Salary Data by State
Comprehensive salary information for all 50 states
| State | Average Salary | Median Salary | Job Count |
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Regional Salary Analysis
Understanding salary differences across U.S. regions
Why Location Matters
Geographic location is one of the most significant factors affecting welder salaries. Variations between regions are influenced by:
Industry concentration: States with strong oil, gas, and manufacturing industries tend to pay welders more.
Cost of living: Higher cost-of-living areas typically offer higher nominal wages to compensate.
Union presence: States with stronger union representation often see higher average welder salaries.
Demand vs. supply: Some remote areas pay premium salaries to attract skilled welders despite having smaller populations.
Regional Highlights
Alaska & Western States
Lead the nation in welder compensation thanks to the oil, gas, and resource extraction industries. Remote locations often pay premium wages to attract skilled workers.
Midwest & Great Lakes
Strong manufacturing base provides solid middle-range salaries with high job stability and lower cost of living.
East Coast
Higher cost of living drives up nominal wages, particularly in industrial and shipping centers.
Southern States
Generally offer lower nominal wages but often feature significantly lower costs of living and growing industrial sectors.
Maximize Your Earning Potential
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