Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Welder I Salary in the United States

How much does a Welder I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Welder I in the United States is $45,328 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,996
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,590 to $49,865
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,187
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Welder I Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects Welder I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Welder I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Welder I (0-1 years): $45,328
  • Welder II (1-3 years): $56,070
  • Welder III (3-5 years): $63,253
  • Welder IV (5-7 years): $72,147
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Welder I0-1 years$45,328
Welder II1-3 years$56,070
Welder III3-5 years$63,253
Welder IV5-7 years$72,147
View as Graph

How Do Welder I 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 Welder Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,187.
  • California: $49,997.
  • Massachusetts: $49,330.

Top Paying Cities for Welder Is

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: $57,172
  • San Francisco: $56,546
  • Oakland: $55,355

What Skills Can Increase a Welder I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.18% 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 3.1% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Pneumatics (Mentioned in 1.07% 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 11.18%
Preventative Maintenance 3.1%
Pneumatics 1.07%
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 Welder I's salary.

  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Repairing: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication $49,408
9%
Repairing $49,408
9%
Communicates Effectively $48,048
6%
Get Latest Data

Welder I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Welder I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $50,656. While startup companies pay approximate $42,850.

Welder I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $42,850
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,318
Established 501~5000 $48,915
Enterprise 5000+ $50,656

Welder I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Welder I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Welder positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Welder I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Welder I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$58,926$28.030%
Aerospace & Defense$56,660$27.025%
Internet$56,660$27.025%
Energy & Utilities$54,394$26.020%
Chemicals$52,127$25.015%

How Education impacts a Welder I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Welder I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Welder I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $46,203 and $49,385.

Welder I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Welder I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.7%
High School 72.4%
Associates 15.0%
Bachelors 6.3%
Masters 1.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Welder I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Welder I'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
$41,590
Average $45,328/year
$49,865
$3,466
Average $3,777/month
$4,155
$800
Average $872/week
$959
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,865 $4,155 $959 $24
Average $45,328 $3,777 $872 $22
25th Percentile $41,590 $3,466 $800 $20

Welder I Salary Growth & Career Path

Welder I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Welder I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Welder II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $56,070 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Welder I

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

Common company salaries for Welder I

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

Find Your Next Welder I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Welder I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Welder I

1. Where can a Welder I earn the most?

A Welder I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Welder I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Welder I is $57,172.

2. What is the highest pay for Welder I?

The highest pay for Welder I is $53,996.

3. What is the lowest pay for Welder I?

The lowest pay for Welder I is $38,187.

4. What are the responsibilities of Welder I?

Joins, fabricates, and repairs metal and other weldable material by applying appropriate welding techniques. Interprets blueprints, specifications, diagrams or schematics to determine appropriate welding process. Inspects completed welds to determine structural soundness. Familiar with and complies with all safety requirements and protocols for working in a hazardous environment. May prepare the materials and set up for a welding device or robot. May be required to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Welder I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Welder I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst