What is a Typical Welding Technician Salary? (2024 Update)
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Many professionals are looking for a job that offers the opportunity to climb the success ladder while earning good salaries. One such career is that of a welding technician, but how much is the salary per se? Read on to learn more.
Welding technicians are the heart and soul of a company. But as they help the company generate revenue, they also need fair compensation. This article covers in detail the salary expectations, as well as how to increase your pay range.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Welding Technician
The specific duties and responsibilities of a welding technician vary from one employer to the next. But there are some fundamental functions that most welding technicians must perform. Overall, they should be innovative and creative in finding solutions to problems associated with welding technology.
Here are the general duties and responsibilities of a welding technician.
- Read blueprints and follow instructions
- Set up equipment for welding
- Clean work areas, tools, and equipment
- Use hand tools to prepare materials for welding
- Plan the layout and sequence of operations
- Perform welding operations using hand-held and automated welders
- Test welds for quality assurance purposes
- Repair metal parts by grinding, sanding, or filing
- Maintain metal parts by cleaning, inspecting, and testing them for defects
- Install new equipment or machinery
- Operate cutting torches to cut metal parts
- Maintain proper ventilation during welding operations
- Carry out training programs for clients
Average Welding Technician Salary
Usually, welding technicians make between $44,326 and $64,054 per year. That’s an average of $50,920.
It depends on where they live, the company they work for, and their experience level. We’ll discuss these factors later. But first, here’s a breakdown of welding technicians’ salaries.
Hourly Wages
The average hourly welding technician salary is about $24. These salaries vary by specialty and geographic region. You can make more if you move up the career ladder.
Daily Earnings
The average welding technician’s salary is $192 per day. Usually, they work eight hours daily.
Weekly Earnings
Most welding technicians work five days a week, earning $979 per week. They may also receive overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week.
Monthly Salary
Some companies pay welding technicians monthly, an average of $4,243.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Cities for Welding Technicians in the US
If you are interested in a career as a welding technician, it is advisable to pay attention to the expected pay in different locations. Below are some of the highest-paying cities in the US.
| City | Welding Technician Salary (Per Year) | Welding Technician Salary (Per Hour) |
| Berkeley (California) | $59,689 | $28.70 |
| Richmond (California) | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| San Mateo (California) | $61,852 | $29.74 |
| Daly City (California) | $59,522 | $28.62 |
| Stamford (Connecticut) | $56,574 | $27.20 |
| Bellevue (Washington) | $56,413 | $27.12 |
| San Francisco (California) | $56,303 | $27.07 |
| Orange (California) | $56,414 | $27.12 |
| Odessa (Texas) | $56,846 | $27.33 |
| Irvine (California) | $57,746 | $27.76 |
Welding Technician Salaries in Selected Regions Worldwide
A growing number of countries globally are commissioning new infrastructure. So, there’s a high demand for welding technicians.
The following table shows welding technician salary data in several selected regions worldwide.
| Country | Average Welding Technician Salary (Per Year) | Average Annual Salary in US Dollars |
| United Kingdom | £29,003 | $36,213.15 |
| Canada | $55,770 (Canadian) | $43,553.58 |
| France | €47,266 | $50,594.95 |
| Germany | €53,649 | $57,487.59 |
| Australia | $82,549 (Australian) | $58,408.78 |
Factors Affecting a Welding Technician’s Salary
Several factors affect a welding technician’s salary. These factors vary depending on the size and location of the industry, along with the person’s level of expertise.
Understanding these factors will help you prepare and plan for your career. Let’s look at some factors affecting how much you can earn as a welding technician.
Years of Experience
The more experience you have, the more valuable you are to an employer. A welding technician with one year of experience earns less than one with five years’ experience. Job duties increase as one acquires extra training.
Usually, a welding technician who has been in the field for several years has more knowledge of welding processes.
Here’s a table with a breakdown of welding technicians’ salaries, depending on their years of experience.
| Experience Level | Years of Experience | Average Annual Welding Technician Salary |
| Entry-Level | Less than one year | $39,238 |
| Early Career | 1 to 4 years | $44,609 |
| Mid-Career Level | 5 to 9 years | $52,698 |
| Experienced | 10 to 19 years | $61,940 |
| Late Career | More than 20 years | $74,532 |
Location
The location can have a significant impact on a welding technician’s salary. Usually, wages are highest in large cities and lowest in rural areas.
Welding technicians in metropolitan areas earn higher salaries. It’s due to higher demand for skilled labor and higher cost of living expenses such as housing costs.
Certification/Education Level
Certified welding technicians earn more than those who are not certified. It’s because they can prove that they know more about their trade.
Besides, welding technicians who have completed a four-year degree earn more than those who only have a high school diploma.
College graduates are more knowledgeable about many subjects other than welding. Also, they possess better problem-solving and communication skills than those without these qualifications.
Industry
The industry you work in will have a massive impact on your salary. For example, if you work for an auto manufacturer or shipbuilder, your salary will be higher than if you worked for a small contractor.
Usually, larger companies pay welding technicians more compared to smaller companies. They have more resources to spread their costs across a larger group of employees.
Do Welding Technicians Receive Benefits and Bonuses?
Yes, welding technicians receive benefits and bonuses in addition to their salaries. They receive benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation days, and holiday bonuses. Some employers pay for an apprenticeship program to allow technicians to learn the trade on the job.
Sometimes, bonuses are offered for meeting several production quotas and completing projects ahead of schedule. All this depends on the employer and size of the company.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Welding Technician
Welding is an in-demand trade right now. So, it’s crucial to get your skills up-to-date so that you can command a higher salary. Here is how to:
Strengthen Your Skills
Do you want to get better at welding? If yes, you should learn how to use the most popular types of welders and the different welding processes such as MIG (Metal Inert Gas), TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), and Arc Welding.
All these are methods used for joining two pieces of metal together. Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you’ll be able to take on any job that comes your way! Also, you can command a higher salary since you have the required skills.
Maintain a Consistent Performance
One of the best ways to increase your salary is maintaining a consistent performance level. As soon as you start working as a welding technician, it’s crucial to set goals for yourself. This way, it becomes easier to track your progress over time. Ensure these goals are realistic so that they don’t put too much pressure on you and cause burnout or stress.
Contact Recruiters
As with any job search, recruiters can help you find new opportunities that match your skills and interests. Have you identified potential welding jobs? If yes, talk to these recruiters about what’s available and how much money you can make at each position.
How to Become a Welding Technician
The first step toward becoming a welding technician is to get an associate degree. You can also get a certificate from a technical school or community college that offers training in this field. The program will include courses in welding processes and safety. You’ll also receive instructions on operating various types of welding equipment.
After completing your training, you will need to work as an apprentice. Then, get certified. You can get certification from a recognized trade organization to work as a certified welding technician.
Once you complete the apprenticeship program, you will have gained enough experience. So, you can become eligible for certification by one of the many organizations that offer this service.
Several organizations offer certification programs. It depends on where you live and what type of work you want to do.
Final Thoughts
Welding is a versatile trade that pays well. It’s increasing in demand throughout all sectors of a country’s economy. So long as you’re willing to put in a little hard work, you’ll find advancement opportunities wherever you choose to work.
If you want to get a good salary as a welding technician, take some welding courses or formal training. The more training and skills you have, the higher your salary.
We hope the data presented in this guide is helpful to you. With this, you’ll understand how much you expect to make from this line of work.
Featured Image Credit: Chatchawal Phumkaew, Shutterstock
