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Welder III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Welder III in the United States is $63,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,634
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,030 to $68,158
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,374
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Welder III Salaries

A Welder III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Welder III'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): $45,329
  • Welder II (1-3 years): $56,064
  • Welder III (3-5 years): $63,242
  • Welder IV (5-7 years): $72,137
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Welder I0-1 years$45,329
Welder II1-3 years$56,064
Welder III3-5 years$63,242
Welder IV5-7 years$72,137
View as Graph

How Do Welder IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,022.
  • California: $69,756.
  • Massachusetts: $68,826.

Top Paying Cities for Welder III

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: $79,767
  • San Francisco: $78,894
  • Oakland: $77,231

What Skills Can Increase a Welder III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 2.19%
Product Quality 1.13%
Work Ethic 0.83%
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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 III's salary.

  • Lean: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Lean $73,993
17%
Preventive Maintenance $71,463
13%
Container $68,301
8%
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Welder III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Welder III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,796. While startup companies pay approximate $59,892.

Welder III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,892
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,342
Established 501~5000 $68,366
Enterprise 5000+ $70,796

Welder III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Welder III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 27% above the average. In contrast, Welder positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Welder III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Welder III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$80,317$39.027%
Biotechnology$77,155$37.022%
Software & Networking$75,258$36.019%
Financial Services$73,993$36.017%
Internet$72,728$35.015%

How Education impacts an Welder III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Welder III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,142 and $67,890.

Welder III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Welder III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 80.1%
Associates 12.6%
Bachelors 3.1%
Masters 2.1%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Welder III'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 August 01, 2026
$57,030
Average $63,242/year
$68,158
$4,753
Average $5,270/month
$5,680
$1,097
Average $1,216/week
$1,311
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,158 $5,680 $1,311 $33
Average $63,242 $5,270 $1,216 $30
25th Percentile $57,030 $4,753 $1,097 $27

Welder III Salary Growth & Career Path

Welder III

Next Role

For a Welder III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Welder IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,137 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Welder III

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

Common company salaries for Welder III

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

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FAQ about Welder III

1. Where can a Welder III earn the most?

A Welder III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Welder III is $79,767.

2. What is the highest pay for Welder III?

The highest pay for Welder III is $72,634.

3. What is the lowest pay for Welder III?

The lowest pay for Welder III is $51,374.

4. What are the responsibilities of Welder III?

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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Welder III roles, with salaries approximately 27% 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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