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.
US Average
$56,760
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$65,180
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$47,931
on $56,940 · No state tax
Job Growth
2%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121)
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
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Welders across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$39,240
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$33,709
25th percentile
$46,790
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$39,776
Median
$53,750
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$45,368
75th percentile
$63,010
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$52,809
Top 10%
$77,530
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,372
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $80,100 | $65,180 | |
| $77,430 | $58,834 | |
| $67,990 | $56,661 | |
| $66,340 | $55,484 | |
| $64,880 | $54,311 | |
| $64,590 | $54,078 | |
| $66,800 | $52,825 | |
| $62,900 | $52,720 | |
| $63,750 | $51,866 | |
| $63,720 | $51,550 | |
| $65,050 | $51,415 | |
| $62,500 | $50,231 | |
13Maryland | $64,410 | $49,936 |
14New York | $62,810 | $49,551 |
15Maine | $61,930 | $49,438 |
16Vermont | $60,210 | $48,986 |
| $61,120 | $48,789 | |
18Colorado | $60,410 | $48,770 |
19Arizona | $59,040 | $48,545 |
| $60,360 | $48,098 | |
21Virginia | $60,410 | $48,060 |
| $56,940 | $47,931 | |
23Utah | $59,640 | $47,874 |
24Montana | $58,680 | $47,328 |
| $57,920 | $46,752 | |
| $58,180 | $46,723 | |
27Oregon | $60,390 | $46,695 |
28Delaware | $58,470 | $46,592 |
| $56,300 | $45,689 | |
| $54,030 | $45,593 | |
31Iowa | $55,580 | $45,378 |
32Missouri | $55,470 | $45,112 |
33Nebraska | $55,290 | $44,969 |
34Illinois | $55,930 | $44,496 |
35Indiana | $54,220 | $44,176 |
36Ohio | $53,370 | $44,037 |
37Idaho | $54,290 | $44,033 |
| $51,980 | $43,946 | |
| $53,720 | $43,709 | |
40Kentucky | $53,710 | $43,574 |
| $53,350 | $43,461 | |
42Michigan | $53,820 | $43,388 |
| $52,930 | $43,324 | |
| $52,120 | $42,918 | |
45Oklahoma | $52,860 | $42,820 |
| $50,450 | $42,717 | |
47Kansas | $52,780 | $42,443 |
48Georgia | $51,520 | $41,754 |
49Alabama | $51,120 | $41,137 |
50Arkansas | $50,020 | $41,008 |
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
$41,137
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$65,180
net
Arizona
$48,545
net
Arkansas
$41,008
net
California
$48,789
net
Colorado
$48,770
net
Connecticut
$52,825
net
Delaware
$46,592
net
FloridaNo state tax
$45,593
net
Georgia
$41,754
net
Hawaii
$58,834
net
Idaho
$44,033
net
Illinois
$44,496
net
Indiana
$44,176
net
Iowa
$45,378
net
Kansas
$42,443
net
Kentucky
$43,574
net
Louisiana
$51,866
net
Maine
$49,438
net
Maryland
$49,936
net
Massachusetts
$51,415
net
Michigan
$43,388
net
Minnesota
$48,098
net
Mississippi
$43,324
net
Missouri
$45,112
net
Montana
$47,328
net
Nebraska
$44,969
net
NevadaNo state tax
$54,078
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$52,720
net
New Jersey
$50,231
net
New Mexico
$51,550
net
New York
$49,551
net
North Carolina
$43,709
net
North Dakota
$54,311
net
Ohio
$44,037
net
Oklahoma
$42,820
net
Oregon
$46,695
net
Pennsylvania
$45,689
net
Rhode Island
$46,723
net
South Carolina
$42,918
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$43,946
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$42,717
net
TexasNo state tax
$47,931
net
Utah
$47,874
net
Vermont
$48,986
net
Virginia
$48,060
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$55,484
net
West Virginia
$43,461
net
Wisconsin
$46,752
net
WyomingNo state tax
$56,661
net