Have you ever been curious about how much money an average pipe welder makes each year? Well, you’re in luck! You’re not alone—many people are researching this intriguing career field and wondering what kind of salary they could earn.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the answer to that question. You’ll discover how much pipe welders make, what types of jobs there are, and what you need to do to get into this type of welding career.
If you are looking for a well-paying welding career, pipe welding may be the perfect choice for you. Keep reading to learn more!
What is pipe welding?
Before we look at the average salary of pipe welders, let’s look at what the career is actually like.
Pipe welders may be known by many names. Some include steam or pipe fitters. They may even be known simply as «fitters».
That part of their work, they are expected to assemble, install and maintain piping systems and the fasteners attached to those systems. They are also responsible for repairing any damages.
To join pieces of pipe, welders can use various processes. These include, but may not be limited to:
- Oxy-fuel welding (or gas welding)
- Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- Submerged arc welding
What Industries Need Pipe Welders?
Pipe welders weld together long sections of pipe that will be used in a variety of settings.
Some of the industries that need pipe welders include the following:
- Construction industry
- Infrastructure for gas and water suppliers
- Pipelines for transporting natural resources (oil and natural gas) to oil refineries and mineral processing plants
- Chemical processing facilities
- Maintenance and repair of marine structures
- and other!
As you can see, there are many industries in pipe welding, so it’s easy to diversify and find the right one for you.
Pipe welder average salary
There are different types of pipe welders, but according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pipe welders in the United States earn $22.60 per hour. When you do the math, that works out to an average annual salary of $47,010 (or says a source between $30,000 and $60,000).
Of course, this means that welders who are new to the field will likely earn a salary on the lower end of the spectrum, while welders with more experience and more risk on their jobs can earn much higher salaries.
Pipe Welding Job Outlook
Now that you know how much welder salaries are on average, you may be curious to learn more about the job. For example, you may want to learn more about the long-term prospects and potential of pipe welding.
To answer this question, there is both pros and cons regarding this occupation. Let’s look at one of each:
PRO: You don’t need extensive education
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on college to become a pipe welder. Actually, most welders need only a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by on-the-job training. Welders with little experience can find entry-level positions, and many pipe welders begin their careers as welders, brazers, cutters, or welders.
If welders choose to obtain more specific training and welding certifications, they are welcome to do so. There are technical education courses available at some high schools, vocational-technical institutions, and some community colleges. Or, you can even find private welding schools or welding schools in different branches of US Armed Forces!
It’s a great position to start without a lot of upfront costs or debt.
CONS: Growth projection is slower than average jobs
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says they predict employment of welders will grow by only about 2% from 2021 to 2031, which is slower than average compared to the 5% projected growth of all other occupations. However, the good news is that it is still growing as opposed to falling, and as people retire from pipe welding, new people are needed at every skill level to replenish the workforce.
So even though pipe welding is growing at a slower than average rate, it is still a growing and in-demand field.
Highest Paying Welding Jobs
Pipe welders in general can make a comfortable salary, but there are some welding positions that can reach six figures. So, if you want to be among the top winners, let’s take a look at some of them welding jobs that pipe welders can do which pay relatively high wages:
1. Welders with platforms
Rig welders are pipe welders who work on oil rigs. They usually weld pipes on platforms in the oil fields or on platforms that are offshore.
These welders often work long hours, including nights and weekends. They also require a lot of education and experience. Because of this, they are often paid an hourly rate rather than a salary.
A rig welder can earn over $50,000 but up to about $200,000 depending on location and work difficulty, which is significantly higher than the average pipe welder salary. For example, a North Dakota oilfield rig welder earns an average of over $76,000 annually.
2. Industrial pipe welders
Pipe welders work on pipelines that transport resources such as natural gas and oil. Like rig welders, they are paid an hourly rate rather than a salary, and also tend to work long hours and travel from location to location, so the pay is relatively high.
Not to mention that a leak in the pipeline can have catastrophic consequences. This makes it incredibly important that pipe welders are good at what they do.
The average salary for pipe welders in the United States is around $50,000 per year. However, some of the highest paid pipe welders earn over $100,000 annually. For example, pipe welders in Alaska earn an average salary of about $75,000 per year or even much more.
3. Underwater welders
Underwater welders are pipe welders who weld underwater. They work on bridges, pipelines, boats and other structures that are submerged in water.
Underwater welders often work long hours in difficult and dangerous conditions. It’s definitely a high-risk job, but it also contains a bit of adventure if you like the thrill of diving. They also require a lot of education and experience, which is why this job is one of the highest paying welding careers.
The average salary for an underwater welder is around $54,000 per year, or up to $80,000. But some of the highest paid welders with the most experience can earn up to $147,000 annually.
You can learn more about what it takes to be an underwater welder by watching interviews like this one on the internet.
4. Certified welding inspectors
Next, one of the biggest winners in the pipe welding industry is certified welding inspector (or CWI).
A certified weld inspector is someone who inspects welds to ensure they meet quality standards. People in this career usually have a lot of experience and education in pipe welding and fitting, which gives them the opportunity to earn a higher annual income than the average pipe welder.
The average salary for certified welding inspectors is approximately $73,000 annually. However, some of the highest paid welding inspectors could earn over $100,000 per year.
5. Welding engineer
Finally, a highly skilled and well paid career in pipe welding is the welding engineer.
Welding engineers are responsible for the design, testing and supervision of the production of welded products. They work hard and have a lot of things to oversee in their work. This is also one of the most in-demand welding careers.
They usually have a bachelor’s degree in engineering as well as a certification from the American Welding Society (AWS). And to be among the highest paid, more years of welding experience helps too.
The average salary for a welding engineer is around $55,000 per year. However, welding engineers can even earn up to $120,000 annually with the proper experience and education, which is pretty impressive!
Now you know all about how much pipe welders make
So there you have it – the average salary made by pipe welders every year!
In general, pipe welders can earn a good annual salary, with some welders earning over $100,000 per year. This can make for a comfortable living!
The type of pipe welding you do, as well as your experience and education, will largely determine your salary, but this is to be expected in any career.
If you are interested in pipe welding, be sure to research the different types of pipe welding and what each one entails. Thus, you can make the best decision for your career. Happy hunting!
What did you find most surprising or interesting about the pipe welding career? Tell us in the comments below!
