Welders
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Welders in the United States earn a median salary of $53,750 per year — about $26 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 457K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +2%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation is highly physical, requiring manual dexterity, physical stamina, and real-time adaptation to unpredictable environments like construction sites or repair shops. While AI and robotics can automate routine assembly-line welding, the specialized, non-routine tasks and the need for physical presence in varied locations provide a strong barrier against AI displacement.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lima, OHBEST VALUE | $85,790 | Below avg (89.7) | $95,674 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $78,170 | Below avg (90.8) | $86,109 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $72,920 | Below avg (85.9) | $84,937 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $80,210 | Above avg (103.2) | $77,717 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $66,060 | Below avg (86.4) | $76,474 |
| Alexandria, LA | $64,490 | Below avg (85.7) | $75,263 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $63,610 | Below avg (84.8) | $75,042 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $81,120 | Above avg (111.0) | $73,107 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $75,040 | Average (102.7) | $73,034 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $62,820 | Below avg (87.6) | $71,686 |
| Minot, ND | $62,060 | Below avg (87.0) | $71,310 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $64,470 | Below avg (91.1) | $70,747 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $63,440 | Below avg (90.0) | $70,484 |
| Anchorage, AK | $74,000 | Above avg (105.4) | $70,195 |
| Mobile, AL | $61,420 | Below avg (88.1) | $69,718 |