As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Weld Inspector in the United States is $44,574 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, a Certified Weld Inspector's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Certified Weld Inspector'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Weld Inspector'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Certified Weld Inspector | $43,970 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Weld Inspector | $44,375 |
| Senior Level Certified Weld Inspector | $45,369 |
| Specialist Level Certified Weld Inspector | $45,568 |
| Expert Level Certified Weld Inspector | $45,701 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Certified Weld Inspectors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 11.18% |
| Preventative Maintenance | 3.1% |
| Pneumatics | 1.07% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$48,586 |
9%
|
|
Repairing
|
$48,586 |
9%
|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$47,248 |
6%
|
|
Analysis
|
$46,803 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$45,911 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$45,911 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Weld Inspectors 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 Certified Weld Inspector with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $44,667 and $47,821).
Certified Weld Inspector Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Certified Weld Inspector'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Certified Weld Inspector can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $43,219 in 2023 to around $43,118 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Weld Inspector salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $43,219 |
| 2024 | $43,343 |
| 2025 | $43,118 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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