The salary of a Welder I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Welder I in the United States is $45,341. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $41,984 to $49,540, with most professionals earning between $38,928 and $53,363.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $49,540 | $4,128 | $953 | $24 |
| Average | $45,341 | $3,778 | $872 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,984 | $3,499 | $807 | $20 |
An entry-level Welder I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $45,090. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $45,466. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $46,406. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $46,594, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $46,720.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Welder I | $45,090 |
| Intermediate Level Welder I | $45,466 |
| Senior Level Welder I | $46,406 |
| Specialist Level Welder I | $46,594 |
| Expert Level Welder I | $46,720 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Welder I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $44,286 in 2023 to approximately $44,413 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Welder I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Welder I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Welder I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Welder I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $45,341 | 66.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $3,469 | 5.1% | ||
| 401K/403B | $1,904 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $907 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 12.3% | ||
| Pension | $2,448 | 3.6% | ||
| Time Off | $5,580 | 8.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $68,002 | 100% | ||
| 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% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Welder I is $45,341. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Welder I is $22; the average weekly pay of Welder I is $872; the average monthly pay of Welder I is $3,778.
A Welder I'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 I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Welder I is $57,189.
The highest pay for Welder I is $53,363.
The lowest pay for Welder I is $38,928.
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 under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Preventative Maintenance: Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
Building Maintenance: Maintaining, restoring, and improving the functionality of the building to ensure a safe, functional, and comfortable environment.
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.
