As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Welding Assistant in the United States is $45,561 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, a Welding Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Welding Assistant'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 Welding Assistant'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 Welding Assistant | $45,561 |
| Intermediate Level Welding Assistant | $45,980 |
| Senior Level Welding Assistant | $47,010 |
| Specialist Level Welding Assistant | $47,216 |
| Expert Level Welding Assistant | $47,354 |
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 Welding Assistants. 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
|
$49,661 |
9%
|
|
Repairing
|
$49,661 |
9%
|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$48,294 |
6%
|
|
Analysis
|
$47,839 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$46,928 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$46,928 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Welding Assistants 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 Welding Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $44,667 and $47,821).
Welding Assistant 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 Welding Assistant'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 Welding Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,782 in 2023 to around $44,678 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Welding Assistant salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $44,782 |
| 2024 | $44,911 |
| 2025 | $44,678 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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