Welder Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Welders join metal parts using arc, gas, and specialty processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW). Career structure spans entry shop welder ($38K) to AWS-certified structural / 6G pipe / underwater specialists ($130K+). Top niches: TX Permian rig welding $100K-$150K with $300-$500/day day rates + per diem, Gulf Coast shipyards, NYC iron workers union scale, FL aerospace at KSC/SpaceX, traveling pipeline welders following ND Bakken / PA Marcellus / TX Eagle Ford projects.
National Median
$52,000
Best State (Net)
$63,461
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$43,830
No state tax
Job Growth
2%
Key Facts — Welder 2026
BLS median: $51,680 for welders/cutters/solderers (BLS May 2023 OES) — but 6G pipe + Permian rig + underwater niche $100K-$200K+
AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel) + 6G pipe (highest test) + ASME Section IX certs drive 30-100% wage premium
TX Permian rig welding $300-$500/day day rates + per diem $80-$120/day = $130K-$180K with travel discipline
Underwater / hyperbaric welding ($80K-$200K+) — ADCI commercial diver cert + welding cert combined niche
TCJA 2018 eliminated W-2 unreimbursed tool deduction — 1099 traveling welders still deduct on Schedule C
Solo 401(k) + S-corp election at $80K+ net SE income for 1099 traveling welders saves $4K-$6K/year SE tax
Section 199A QBI 20% deduction applies to traveling/owner-operator welders (NOT SSTB)
AB5 (CA) made most CA welders W-2 with employer FICA + benefits — different career economics than TX 1099
Salary by Experience Level
Apprentice / Helper (year 1-2)
$42,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$35,795
Trade school + entry shop work + OJT
Established Welder (3-7 years)
$58,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$48,651
AWS D1.1 cert + base process certs (FCAW/GMAW/SMAW)
AWS-Certified Specialist (8-15 years)
$85,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$68,386
6G pipe / structural / TIG aerospace specialty
Rig / Pipeline / Underwater Welder
$130,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$99,857
Top niche tier with day rates + per diem
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| TX Permian Rig Welder (with day rates + per diem) | $130,000 | +150% |
| Underwater / Hyperbaric Welder | $156,000 | +200% |
| 6G Pipe Welder (highest test cert) | $93,600 | +80% |
| Aerospace TIG Welder (KSC/SpaceX/Boeing) | $83,200 | +60% |
| NYC Iron Workers Union (Local 580/40) | $78,000 | +50% |
| Apprentice / Helper (year 1-2) | $36,400 | -30% |
Best States for Welders — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Welder Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $78,000 | $63,461 | |
| $65,000 | $53,026 | |
| $68,000 | $52,796 | |
| $60,000 | $50,258 | |
| $60,000 | $50,258 | |
| $62,000 | $48,871 | |
| $58,000 | $48,651 | |
| $60,000 | $48,008 | |
| $60,000 | $48,008 | |
| $62,000 | $47,494 | |
| $56,000 | $47,044 | |
| $56,000 | $47,044 | |
| $58,000 | $46,824 | |
14Illinois | $58,000 | $46,523 |
| $56,000 | $45,785 | |
| $56,000 | $45,404 | |
17Michigan | $56,000 | $45,302 |
18Colorado | $56,000 | $45,240 |
19Maryland | $56,000 | $45,097 |
20Ohio | $55,000 | $44,841 |
21Hawaii | $58,000 | $44,781 |
| $58,000 | $44,416 | |
23Oklahoma | $55,000 | $44,341 |
| $55,000 | $44,121 | |
25Delaware | $55,000 | $44,041 |
26Montana | $55,000 | $43,881 |
| $52,000 | $43,830 | |
28Virginia | $54,000 | $43,195 |
29Oregon | $56,000 | $42,985 |
30Arizona | $52,000 | $42,905 |
31Indiana | $52,000 | $42,665 |
| $52,000 | $42,313 | |
| $50,000 | $42,223 | |
| $50,000 | $42,223 | |
35Utah | $52,000 | $42,147 |
36Missouri | $52,000 | $41,999 |
37Iowa | $52,000 | $41,721 |
38Nebraska | $52,000 | $41,669 |
39Kentucky | $50,000 | $40,648 |
| $50,000 | $40,648 | |
| $50,000 | $40,561 | |
42Kansas | $50,000 | $40,473 |
43Georgia | $50,000 | $40,302 |
44Idaho | $50,000 | $40,193 |
| $50,000 | $39,983 | |
46Maine | $50,000 | $39,721 |
47Vermont | $50,000 | $39,563 |
48Alabama | $48,000 | $39,296 |
| $48,000 | $39,296 | |
50Arkansas | $47,000 | $38,405 |
Job Market Outlook
2% growth projected 2022-2032 — slower than average overall, but pipeline + Permian rig + underwater + aerospace TIG specialty growing 8-12% annually. AWS D1.1 + 6G pipe + ASME Section IX + UT/VT inspection certs drive 30-100% wage premium. 1099/SE traveling welder structure dominant in oil-and-gas + pipeline; W-2 shop welder structure dominant in fabrication + manufacturing.
Fastest-growing states:
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Welder
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Welder Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$39,296
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$63,461
net
Arizona
$42,905
net
Arkansas
$38,405
net
California
$47,494
net
Colorado
$45,240
net
Connecticut
$48,008
net
Delaware
$44,041
net
FloridaNo state tax
$43,830
net
Georgia
$40,302
net
Hawaii
$44,781
net
Idaho
$40,193
net
Illinois
$46,523
net
Indiana
$42,665
net
Iowa
$41,721
net
Kansas
$40,473
net
Kentucky
$40,648
net
Louisiana
$46,824
net
Maine
$39,721
net
Maryland
$45,097
net
Massachusetts
$48,008
net
Michigan
$45,302
net
Minnesota
$44,416
net
Mississippi
$39,296
net
Missouri
$41,999
net
Montana
$43,881
net
Nebraska
$41,669
net
NevadaNo state tax
$47,044
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$47,044
net
New Jersey
$48,871
net
New Mexico
$42,313
net
New York
$52,796
net
North Carolina
$40,561
net
North Dakota
$53,026
net
Ohio
$44,841
net
Oklahoma
$44,341
net
Oregon
$42,985
net
Pennsylvania
$45,785
net
Rhode Island
$45,404
net
South Carolina
$39,983
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$42,223
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$42,223
net
TexasNo state tax
$48,651
net
Utah
$42,147
net
Vermont
$39,563
net
Virginia
$43,195
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$50,258
net
West Virginia
$40,648
net
Wisconsin
$44,121
net
WyomingNo state tax
$50,258
net