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Pipe Welder II Salary in the United States

How much does a Pipe Welder II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pipe Welder II in the United States is $56,080 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Pipe Welder II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,205
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,880 to $61,380
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,146
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pipe Welder II Salaries

A Pipe Welder II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Pipe Welder II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Pipe Welder IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,080.
  • California: $61,880.
  • Massachusetts: $61,080.

Top Paying Cities for Pipe Welder IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,780
  • San Francisco: $69,980
  • Oakland: $68,480

What Skills Can Increase a Pipe Welder II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.22% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Pneumatics (Mentioned in 1.08% Job Postings): Pneumatics (pronounced new-MATT-ix) is an aspect of physics and engineering that is concerned with using the energy in compressed gas to make something move or work.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 11.22%
Preventative Maintenance 3.11%
Pneumatics 1.08%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Pipe Welder II's salary.

  • Building Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Custodial: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Building Maintenance $60,006
7%
Analysis $58,884
5%
Custodial $58,323
4%
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Pipe Welder II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pipe Welder II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,672. While startup companies pay approximate $53,014.

Pipe Welder II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,014
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,068
Established 501~5000 $60,518
Enterprise 5000+ $62,672

Pipe Welder II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pipe Welder II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Pipe Welder positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pipe Welder II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pipe Welder II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$67,296$32.020%
Energy & Utilities$64,492$31.015%
Aerospace & Defense$61,688$30.010%
Healthcare$61,688$30.010%
Pharmaceuticals$61,688$30.010%

How Education impacts a Pipe Welder II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pipe Welder IIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Pipe Welder II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $52,826 and $56,477).

Pipe Welder II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pipe Welder II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 80.8%
High School 80.8%
Associates 12.8%
Bachelors 5.1%
Masters 1.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Pipe Welder II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pipe Welder II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$50,880
Average $56,080/year
$61,380
$4,240
Average $4,673/month
$5,115
$978
Average $1,078/week
$1,180
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,380 $5,115 $1,180 $30
Average $56,080 $4,673 $1,078 $27
25th Percentile $50,880 $4,240 $978 $24

Pipe Welder II Salary Growth & Career Path

Pipe Welder II

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Advancement

For a Pipe Welder II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Boiler Welder III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $63,300 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Pipe Welder II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Pipe Welder II

Here are companies hiring for Pipe Welder II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Pipe Welder II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Pipe Welder II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Pipe Welder II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a pipeline welder make with his own truck?

A pipeline welder can earn an annual salary ranging from $50,480 to $64,680. This includes base pay, with additional earnings possible from truck usage and per diem. Hourly rates can vary, typically between $36 and $52, plus extra for truck pay and daily allowances. Overall, the total compensation can significantly increase with these factors.

3. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While CEO positions are often considered the highest paying jobs globally, specialized trades like Pipe Welders also offer competitive salaries. The salary for a Pipe Welder ranges from $50,480 to $64,680, with a median of $56,680. This reflects the demand for skilled tradespeople in various industries, highlighting that high earnings can be found outside traditional corporate roles.

4. Can I make 100k as a welder?

While the average salary for a pipe welder ranges from $50,480 to $64,680, earning $100,000 is rare. However, experienced welders with specialized skills may achieve this in high-demand markets or regions with a high cost of living. It's important to consider factors like experience, location, and industry when evaluating potential earnings.

5. What welders make 200k a year?

While some welding jobs can reach high salaries, Pipe Welders typically earn between $50,480 and $64,680 annually, with a mid-salary of $56,680. Positions like Rig Welders and Underwater Welders may exceed $200,000, but Pipe Welders generally do not reach that level.

6. What type of welding is most in demand?

The most in-demand types of welding include MIG MAG Continuous Wire Welding and TIG welding. These skills are essential in various industries, and professionals can expect salaries ranging from $50,480 to $64,680, with a median salary of $56,680. This reflects the growing need for skilled welders in the metalworking sector.

7. How much does a pipeline welder make in Texas?

In Texas, the salary for a Pipe Welder typically ranges from a minimum of $50,480 to a maximum of $64,680 annually, with a mid-range salary of about $56,680. This reflects a more standardized pay scale compared to some cities, where top earners can make significantly more.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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