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Welder II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Welder II in the United States is $56,070 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,064
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,835 to $61,301
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,069
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Welder II Salaries

A Welder II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Welder II'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 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 Welder IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,081.
  • California: $61,845.
  • Massachusetts: $61,021.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $70,721
  • San Francisco: $69,947
  • Oakland: $68,473

What Skills Can Increase a 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 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 $59,995
7%
Analysis $58,874
5%
Custodial $58,313
4%
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Welder II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Welder II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,661. While startup companies pay approximate $53,004.

Welder II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,004
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,058
Established 501~5000 $60,507
Enterprise 5000+ $62,661

Welder II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Welder positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Welder II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Welder II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$67,284$32.020%
Energy & Utilities$64,480$31.015%
Aerospace & Defense$61,677$30.010%
Healthcare$61,677$30.010%
Pharmaceuticals$61,677$30.010%

How Education impacts a Welder II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Welder II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $53,772 and $57,429.

Welder II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a 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
$50,835
Average $56,070/year
$61,301
$4,236
Average $4,673/month
$5,108
$978
Average $1,078/week
$1,179
$24
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,301 $5,108 $1,179 $29
Average $56,070 $4,673 $1,078 $27
25th Percentile $50,835 $4,236 $978 $24

Welder II Salary Growth & Career Path

Welder II

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Advancement

For a Welder II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Welder III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $63,253 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Welder II

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

Common company salaries for Welder II

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

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FAQ about Welder II

1. Where can a Welder II earn the most?

A Welder II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Welder II is $70,721.

2. What is the highest pay for Welder II?

The highest pay for Welder II is $66,064.

3. What is the lowest pay for Welder II?

The lowest pay for Welder II is $46,069.

4. What are the responsibilities of Welder II?

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 moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

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

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

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