What are the main factors that influence a Welding Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Welding Operator's salary?

A Welding Operator's salary grows with experience: starting around $55,328 for beginners, reaching about $57,087 at mid-level, and approach $59,872 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Welding Operator?

Welding Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Welding Operator roles are District of Columbia $61,977, California $61,742, Massachusetts $60,919. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Welding Operator roles make?

Salaries for Welding Operator level roles vary by specialization: Welding Manager: $145,925; Welding Engineer: $103,055; Welding Supervisor: $74,987; Welding Foreman: $70,775; Welding Instructor: $59,817.

Welding Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a Welding Operator make in Delaware?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Welding Operator in Delaware is $56,688 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,268
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,931 to $61,702
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,690

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Welding Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$61,702	$5,142	$1,187	$30
Average	$56,688	$4,724	$1,090	$27
25th Percentile	$50,931	$4,244	$979	$24

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Welding Operator Salaries

A Welding Operator'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Welding Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Welding Operator'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $55,328
Early Career (1-2 years): $55,488
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,087
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $59,077
Expert (over 8 years): $59,872

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Welding Operator	$55,328
Intermediate Level Welding Operator	$55,488
Senior Level Welding Operator	$57,087
Specialist Level Welding Operator	$59,077
Expert Level Welding Operator	$59,872

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Welding Operator 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 Welding Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $61,977.
California: $61,742.
Massachusetts: $60,919.

District of Columbia $61,977 California $61,742 Massachusetts $60,919 Washington $60,695 New Jersey $60,673 Alaska $60,595 Connecticut $59,822 New York $59,509

Hawaii $58,507 Rhode Island $58,037 Maryland $57,717 Minnesota $57,281 Colorado $57,113 Illinois $57,057 Oregon $56,844 Delaware $56,688

New Hampshire $56,589 Virginia $56,368 Pennsylvania $55,725 Nevada $55,400 North Dakota $55,294 Michigan $55,126 Wisconsin $55,064 Vermont $54,941

Texas $54,600 Maine $54,577 Arizona $54,544 Ohio $54,504 Georgia $53,989 Indiana $53,732 Wyoming $53,682 Utah $53,603

Iowa $53,570 Kansas $53,301 Louisiana $53,223 North Carolina $53,195 Missouri $53,183 Florida $52,965 Montana $52,848 Nebraska $52,736

Kentucky $52,674 South Carolina $52,450 Tennessee $52,310 Idaho $52,254 New Mexico $51,846 Oklahoma $51,756 Alabama $51,426 South Dakota $50,872

Arkansas $50,569 West Virginia $50,407 Mississippi $49,920

Top Paying Cities for Welding Operators

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:

Lincoln: $58,669
Little Creek: $58,126
Magnolia: $58,367

Lincoln, DE $58,669 Little Creek, DE $58,126 Magnolia, DE $58,367 Milford, DE $58,669 Marydel, DE $57,908 Millsboro, DE $58,669 Millville, DE $59,061 Milton, DE $58,669

Nassau, DE $58,669 Ocean View, DE $59,061 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,061 Seaford, DE $58,053 Selbyville, DE $59,061 Smyrna, DE $57,841 Viola, DE $58,367 Woodside, DE $58,199

Bear, DE $57,415 Newark, DE $57,438 Claymont, DE $57,482 Delaware City, DE $57,438 Hockessin, DE $57,482 Kirkwood, DE $57,438 Middletown, DE $57,723 Montchanin, DE $57,482

New Castle, DE $57,482 Odessa, DE $57,801 Port Penn, DE $57,281 Rockland, DE $57,482 Saint Georges, DE $57,438 Townsend, DE $57,717 Winterthur, DE $57,482 Lewes, DE $58,669

Wilmington, DE $57,482 Dover, DE $58,098 Dover Afb, DE $58,232 Bethany Beach, DE $59,061 Bethel, DE $58,053 Bridgeville, DE $58,669 Camden Wyoming, DE $58,160 Cheswold, DE $57,964

Clayton, DE $57,818 Dagsboro, DE $59,061 Delmar, DE $58,053 Ellendale, DE $58,669 Felton, DE $58,669 Fenwick Island, DE $59,061 Frankford, DE $59,061 Frederica, DE $58,669

Georgetown, DE $58,669 Greenwood, DE $58,669 Harbeson, DE $58,669 Harrington, DE $58,669 Hartly, DE $57,790 Houston, DE $58,669 Kenton, DE $57,818 Laurel, DE $58,053

Yorklyn, DE $57,482

Welding Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Welding Operator'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, 2026

$50,931

Average $56,688/year

$61,702

$4,244

Average $4,724/month

$5,142

$979

Average $1,090/week

$1,187

$24

Average $27/hour

$30

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$61,702	$5,142	$1,187	$30
Average	$56,688	$4,724	$1,090	$27
25th Percentile	$50,931	$4,244	$979	$24

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