Welding is one of the skilled trades where pay varies dramatically based on certification, location, and specialization. This guide breaks down what you can expect to earn at every stage of your career.
| Certification | Avg. Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| No formal certification | $38,000 - $45,000 | $18 - $22/hr |
| AWS Certified Welder (CW) | $48,000 - $58,000 | $23 - $28/hr |
| AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) | $72,000 - $95,000 | $35 - $46/hr |
| AWS SCWI (Senior CWI) | $95,000 - $130,000 | $46 - $62/hr |
| ASME Certified (BPVC) | $65,000 - $85,000 | $31 - $41/hr |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
| Industry | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas / Pipeline | $72,000 |
| Aerospace Manufacturing | $68,000 |
| Shipbuilding & Marine | $64,000 |
| Structural Steel | $54,000 |
| Auto Repair / Fabrication | $48,000 |
| City | Avg. Salary | Cost of Living Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $64,000 | High |
| Seattle, WA | $62,000 | Medium |
| San Francisco, CA | $68,000 | Low |
| Anchorage, AK | $72,000 | High |
| Birmingham, AL | $52,000 | Very High |
Getting AWS Certified Welder costs approximately $350-500 in testing fees. Most welders see a $10,000-15,000 annual raise after certification. That's a 200%+ ROI in year one.
Going from CW to CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) adds $20,000-35,000 annually but requires significant study time and experience.
If you're looking to break into welding or level up your skills, the key is understanding what inspectors look for in a quality weld. That's where tools like DimeVision help — our AI analyzes your weld photos and gives you the same feedback a CWI would, so you can practice with confidence and pass certification on your first try.
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, AWS Salary Survey 2025, Indeed/Payscale aggregated data. Salaries represent median figures for full-time employed welders in the United States.