Welding Unions: Benefits, Pay, and Types (2023)

FAQs

What are the benefits of a welding union? ›

A welding union can make sure that employers provide a safe place to work and follow safety protocols. In case of workplace accidents, the welding union can advocate for benefits like paid medical leave, health care coverage and job security for when they recover.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $75,890 and as low as $22,033, the majority of Union Welder salaries currently range between $36,721 (25th percentile) to $46,513 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $59,243 annually in California.

A career in welding gives you the chance to work with your hands, be outside and travel – all with great income potential. With the right welding job, you can make $100,000 or more a year and enjoy what you do. What's not to like about that?

The answer is the United Association (UA), an organization that has been training and certifying welders for over 130 years, longer than anyone else in American industry.

Labor unions benefit their members by negotiating better pay, benefits, and working conditions. Critics maintain that union contracts make it more difficult for a company to fire unproductive employees, and that they increase long-term costs which decreases competitiveness.

That depends on who you ask. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average welder's salary is $42,000 dollars per year. BLS stats mean 50% of welders in the United States earned more than that figure and 50% earn less.

Depending on the job they undertake, they can make up to $120 per hour if it's difficult to complete. Some jobs may require the welder to be at sea for 30 days. Education requirements: A high school diploma and GED is required, along with two to five years of experience with welding on land.

Alaska. The highest-paying state for welders is Alaska. The welding professionals working in Alaska have an annual salary of $70,000. The high salaries in Alaska are due to the state's vital oil and gas industry, which requires many skilled welding professionals.

Since every industry needs to progress, every individual working in an industry will need to accustom themselves to high-end customized materials. Thus, by using specialized and sophisticated equipment, one may increase the overall productivity of a particular industry.

Can you make 300k a year as a welder? ›

As a basic welder, the pay is pretty decent, but it's not the most lucrative of careers. With an annual salary ranging from $30,000 – $60,000 depending on experience, it's a career that will afford you a decent life, but you won't be stacking away the savings or buying a second home on this salary.

Different unions cater to specific welding fields that include: Ironworkers unions work on structures and construction such as bridges, schools, and vehicle manufacturing. Plumbing and pipefitters unions specialize in pipe welding, including public works supply lines or working for private industry.

In the United States, the largest employer of welders is the manufacturing industry.

Unions raise wages for all workers

Workers with union representation enjoy a significant pay premium compared to non-union workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports non-union workers earn just 85 percent of what unionized workers earn ($1,029/week vs. $1,216/week).

Union members work together to negotiate and enforce a contract with management that guarantees the things you care about like decent raises, affordable health care, job security, and a stable schedule. Better workplaces and working conditions without the fear of retaliation.

Workplaces with unions pay better and offer more benefits than workplaces without one. On average, unionized workers make 30% more than others, and are more likely to have health insurance and a retirement plan. If you have a conflict with your employer, the union will help negotiate it for you.

Welding is among the highest paying skilled trades in the country with a median entry-level wage of over $40,000 per year or about $20 per hour. It's also an accessible career since the requirement to begin learning the trade is usually a high school diploma (or GED).

Welder salaries typically range between $29,000 and $54,000 a year. The average hourly rate for welders is $19.08 per hour.

As the demand for welders grows, it's possible to make extra income by turning an at-home welding hobby or a career into a profitable side-hustle. You don't have to give up your day job—not yet, at least. And in many cases, you could end up earning a higher hourly rate than you do from your employer.

How much is $20 an hour annually? ›

How much does a $20 An Hour make? As of Jun 1, 2023, the average annual pay for a $20 An Hour in the United States is $40,760 a year.

No mater how you cut it, though, $1,000 an hour is impressive. Bill the annual average of 2,200 hours and that's a nice $2.2 million in gross pay.

How much does a 30$ An Hour make? As of Jun 1, 2023, the average annual pay for a 30$ An Hour in the United States is $240,666 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $115.70 an hour. This is the equivalent of $4,628/week or $20,055/month.

It pays to be in a union. Literally. Workers who are members of labor unions in the United States make 18% more than their nonunion counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual report on union membership, published today.

Workers covered by a union contract in California earn an average of 12.9 percent more than non-union workers with similar demographic characteristics and working in similar industries. Overall, we estimate that unions increase workers' earnings in California by $18.5 billion annually through collective bargaining.

Pipe welders will always be in high demand as long as the demand for fuel and other resources is high. Many pipe welders work on oil rigs and refineries. These facilities comprise the majority of the oil and gas industry.

Maine. Maine has the highest concentration of welding careers. Welders in this state receive a high annual average income compared to other nations in the US. Also, there is a great demand for skilled workers in this area.

There is an increasing demand for welders in various industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation. As the economy recovers from the pandemic, many of these industries are likely to experience growth, which could lead to more job opportunities for welders.

Per diem welders have the same job as salaried welders; they fuse metal together using intense heat. The main difference is per diem welders receive an additional daily stipend to be used for food, travel, and other expenses incurred while on the job.

Is there a big demand for welders? ›

Overall, an average of about 49,200 job openings for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are expected each year over the next decade!

The Welder 1 level is distinguished from the Welder 2 by the absence of complex welding requiring skill in specialized welding techniques.

Work Conditions

The standard work week for welders and related machine operators is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime.

“Six figures” simply refers to a number with six digits. Typically used with money, the term covers amounts from $100,000 to $999,999. (Once you hit 1 million, you're in seven-figure territory.) Someone with a six-figure salary makes at least $100K.

In broader terms, the finance and investment profession has the most millionaires.

When asked what type of work was most difficult to master (out of 32 different trades), the two groups of respondents (the average age of which was 43 years old) were in agreement again — electrical work was the hardest to master, followed by carpentry, HVAC, and cabinets/countertops.

What is the hardest trade to learn? Electrical and HVAC trades require intensive technical training, which can be difficult to learn. Electrician schools teach students how to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems.

Chartered in 1949, Pipeliners Local 798 is a trade union that provides the highest quality of pipeline Welders to contractors across the country. Pipeliners Local 798 represents individuals with a high skill level who weld together the various sections of oil and gas pipelines.

Welding is an overarching career, as there are many different career paths you can pursue within welding. No matter what your area of interest is, you can probably find a welding job that suits you. You do not have to commit to being an active welder for the rest of your life if you choose a welding career.

What trade are welders in? ›

A welder is a mechanical trades worker who joins and cuts metal parts by applying heat. This is done with either hand-held or remotely controlled welding machines. They can work in many industries, including industrial, manufacturing, and construction.

Average Nuclear Industry Welder Salary: $67,000 per year

Welders in the nuclear industry might work on pipelines, underwater, or in the military. They must pass a demanding screening process, including FBI clearance, to become nuclear certified, making it one of the most difficult welding positions to obtain.

The overhead position weld is the most difficult position to work in. The welding will be performed with the two pieces of metal above the welder, and the welder will have to angle him or herself and the equipment to reach the joints.

The 6G pipe weld is one of the most difficult weld certification tests to pass because the pipe is at a 45-degree angle and immovable. Welders performing the 6G certification test must weld in all positions including horizontal, vertical and overhead, and may have to weld both right-handed and left-handed.

Alaska. The highest-paying state for welders is Alaska. The welding professionals working in Alaska have an annual salary of $70,000. The high salaries in Alaska are due to the state's vital oil and gas industry, which requires many skilled welding professionals.

Different unions cater to specific welding fields that include: Ironworkers unions work on structures and construction such as bridges, schools, and vehicle manufacturing. Plumbing and pipefitters unions specialize in pipe welding, including public works supply lines or working for private industry.

High demand in the field

Welders provide necessary services to various industries, including manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure. Working in a high-demand field can be beneficial, as it guarantees stable employment and higher wages because the skills of the trade are highly valuable to employers.

Since every industry needs to progress, every individual working in an industry will need to accustom themselves to high-end customized materials. Thus, by using specialized and sophisticated equipment, one may increase the overall productivity of a particular industry.

What types of welding pay the most? ›

The highest paying welder jobs are in industrial construction. Pipe welders, tube welders, rig welders, underwater welders and combo welders are the highest paid of all welding jobs. The type of welding is important and so is the industry. The top welder salary can be over $200,000 per year in industrial construction.

Maine has the highest concentration of welding careers. Welders in this state receive a high annual average income compared to other nations in the US. Also, there is a great demand for skilled workers in this area.

Here's a closer look at 5 key industries that use welding. Manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, manufacturing employs the majority of welders, with more than 400,000 jobs in this industry alone in 2021. That's more than 60% of the welding jobs.

Dream of Being Your Own Boss

If you develop the right in-demand skills, you can start your own welding or fabrication company and hire employees to grow the business. You can also go the solo route and be a freelance welder where companies can hire you for a short-term contract to complete a specific job.

Job Outlook

Employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.

The United States Welding Materials Market size was estimated at USD 3,180.61 million in 2022, USD 3,468.12 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.21% to reach USD 5,553.30 million by 2030.