How much does a Welder make in District Of Columbia?

BLS puts the average Welder pay in District Of Columbia at $61,620 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in District Of Columbia, after federal taxes, FICA, and District Of Columbia state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $49,133 annually ($4,094/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Welder in District Of Columbia?

On a $61,620 salary in District Of Columbia, your take-home pay is approximately $49,133/year or $4,094/month. Federal tax: $5,214. State tax: $2,559. FICA: $4,714.

Is $61,620 a good Welder salary?

$61,620 is the BLS average Welder pay in District Of Columbia, 9% above the US average of $56,760 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in District Of Columbia earn between $50,110 and $75,580.

How do District Of Columbia taxes affect Welder salaries?

District Of Columbia levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $61,620 is $2,559. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 20.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Welders?

In District Of Columbia, the top 10% earn over $75,580 and the bottom 10% under $48,400 (BLS, May 2025). 2% growth through 2032 (slower than average) overall; pipeline + Permian rig + underwater + aerospace TIG specialty growing faster. Related roles include: Pipe Welder, Structural Welder, Rig Welder, Underwater Welder, Aerospace TIG Welder, Welding Inspector, Welding Supervisor.

How can a Welder in District Of Columbia reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Trades

Welder Salary in District Of Columbia (2026)

Average Welder pay in District Of Columbia

$61,620/year

≈ $30/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $50,110–$75,580

US average: $56,760

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$49,133/year

$4,094/month · effective tax rate 20.26%

Federal $5,214
State $2,559
FICA $4,714
Take-home

Pay by role in District Of Columbia

Senior / Certified WelderBLS · 75th–90th percentile$75,580–$75,580
Welder (any sector)BLS · middle 50%$50,110–$75,580
ApprenticeBLS · 10th–25th percentile$48,400–$50,110

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$49,133
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,094
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$1,890
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$24/hr
Federal Tax	$5,214
State Tax	$2,559
FICA Taxes	$4,714
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	20.26%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Welders earn the same — not even close

District of Columbia's welder market is anchored by the federal GSA General Services Administration building portfolio welder (the substantial GSA ~370 federal buildings in DC + the substantial GSA contractor welder + the substantial GSA federal building retrofit + the substantial GSA prevailing wage Davis-Bacon Act + the substantial Capitol Building + White House + federal building HVAC + plumbing welder), the federal LE + military welder cluster (the substantial USSS White House + the substantial Pentagon Force Protection Agency cross-Potomac + the substantial Washington Navy Yard NAVSEA + the substantial Naval Sea Systems Command historic shipyard + the substantial Anacostia Navy Yard + the substantial Naval Research Lab + the substantial Naval District Washington), DC Government public works (the substantial DC DPW Department of Public Works + the substantial DC bridge + infrastructure + the substantial DC street + the substantial DCRA Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs + the substantial DC streetcar + the substantial DC Metro WMATA), the substantial cross-border industrial welder commute (the substantial DC welders commute to Pentagon Arlington VA + Bethesda Walter Reed + Suitland Federal Center MD + the substantial cross-border DMV industrial), the Smithsonian artifact preservation welder (the substantial Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum exhibit fabrication + the substantial Smithsonian artifact preservation welder + the substantial Library of Congress + National Archives historic preservation welder + rare specialty), plus substantial DC structural + the substantial DDOT bridge + the substantial Anacostia River bridges + the substantial 14th Street Bridge + the substantial Memorial Bridge + Key Bridge welder.

Senior / Certified Welder

$75,580–$75,580

Pipeline welder · x-ray + 6G + API 1104 + DC gas pipeline + Washington Gas + the substantial DMV midstream

Source: BLS May 2025 · Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · District Of Columbia · 75th–90th percentile

Welder (any sector)

$50,110–$75,580

Mid-career welder transitioning to AWS + 6G + API certified · DC industrial shops

Source: BLS May 2025 · Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · District Of Columbia · middle 50%

Apprentice

$48,400–$50,110

Entry welder apprentice · UDC + NOVA + Prince George CC MD + Boilermakers Local 193 Baltimore apprenticeship

Source: BLS May 2025 · Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · District Of Columbia · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: The District of Columbia's distinctive federal GSA building portfolio welder + USSS White House Communications + Pentagon Force Protection cross-Potomac + Washington Navy Yard + Smithsonian artifact preservation welder concentration is the country's substantial distinctive federal-cleared welder cluster most national welder-career surveys understate. The substantial GSA General Services Administration federal building portfolio welder (the substantial GSA managing ~370 federal buildings in DC + the substantial GSA contractor welder + the substantial GSA federal building HVAC + plumbing retrofit + the substantial Capitol Building structural welder + the substantial White House welder + the substantial Smithsonian Castle + Capitol Power Plant + the substantial GSA Davis-Bacon Act federal prevailing wage + the substantial GSA structural retrofit) supports substantial federal building welder demand — GSA federal building welders clear $65-98K with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage. The substantial Washington Navy Yard welder (the substantial Washington Navy Yard NAVSEA Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters + the substantial Washington Navy Yard historic 1799 shipyard + the substantial Washington Navy Yard Naval District Washington + the substantial Washington Navy Yard Naval Research Lab + the substantial Navy Yard cleared welder + AWS D1.1 + cleared facility) supports specialized naval welder work — Washington Navy Yard welders clear $72-118K with AWS D1.1 + cleared facility access. The substantial USSS White House Communications + Pentagon Force Protection Agency cross-Potomac + FBI HQ + DEA HQ + ATF HQ + USMS HQ + the substantial DC federal cleared welder + cleared facility supports specialized federal cleared welder work — DC federal cleared welders clear $78-128K + overtime with cleared facility access. The substantial Smithsonian Institution + Library of Congress + National Archives + National Gallery of Art exhibit fabrication + artifact preservation welder (the substantial Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum exhibit welder + the substantial Smithsonian aircraft + spacecraft restoration welder + the substantial National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center + the substantial Library of Congress historic preservation welder + the substantial National Archives encasement welder for Declaration of Independence + Constitution + Bill of Rights + the substantial DC museum welder rare specialty) supports the country's substantial unique DC museum exhibit welder specialty — Smithsonian + museum welders clear $68-108K with the substantial museum specialty certification. Boilermakers Local 193 Baltimore MD cross-border + United Association Plumbers Pipefitters Local 602 DC + UA Local 5 DC + IBEW Local 26 DC + Ironworkers Local 5 DC + Sheet Metal Workers Local 100 Suitland MD cross-border + the substantial DC + DMV building trades operate substantial collective bargaining at DC federal + GSA prevailing wage rates — DC is NOT a Right-to-Work state, meaning union security clauses are permitted + the substantial DC building trades retain Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage federal contracts. AWS Certified Welder + 6G + API 1104 + ASME Section IX + AWS D1.1 + AWS D17.1 aerospace + cleared facility cert + museum specialty cert + Davis-Bacon prevailing wage cert drive 30-60% wage premium. UDC University of the District of Columbia + NOVA Northern Virginia Community College Annandale + Prince George Community College MD + Montgomery College MD + Boilermakers Local 193 Baltimore apprenticeship pipeline. DC progressive 4-10.75% + DC 6% sales tax + DC estate tax $4.99M (2025) + DC IS NOT a RTW state anchor the DC welder proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Welders in District Of Columbia and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and District Of Columbia 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers