How Much Does Journeyman Welder Make?
Through their skilled work and knowledge, journeyman welders are important to the building, manufacturing, and repair industries for making sure that metalwork is safe and structurally sound.
Our current data shows that the average salary for journeyman welders in the United States in 2025 is $56,693 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), on the other hand, reports that this role will only grow by 2% from 2023 to 2033, which is less than the average for all jobs.
Salary expectations, factors affecting compensation, and answers to frequently asked questions are all included in this comprehensive guide to the journeyman welder profession.
What does a Journeyman Welder do?
A journey welder is tasked with joining, fabricating, and repairing metal and other weldable materials utilizing appropriate welding procedures. They also analyze concepts, blueprints, and specifications to identify the appropriate welding procedures for each task.
The job generally requires a high school diploma or equivalent and could require formal training or an apprenticeship to attain proficiency in the field, with 1 to 3 years of experience. They operate under moderate monitoring and possess expertise in their specific field.
What is a Journeyman Welder Salary Overview？
In the United States, the median salary for journeyman welders is $56,693 per year, as of January 01, 2025. This can differ based on various criteria, including experience, different states, educational attainment, market trends, and company size.
2025 Journeyman Welder Average Salary: $56,693 per year ($27 per hour)
Currently, the salary of a journeyman welder in the U.S. ranges from $50,513 to $64,703, with the majority of these professionals earning between $44,886 and $71,996.
Journeyman welders generally earn an average hourly wage of $27, with salaries varying from $22 to $35, and the majority earning between $24 and $31. The core compensation, including bonuses, for journeyman welders is $57,473, contingent on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,361 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,133 |
| 50th Percentile | $57,473 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,853 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,483 |
According to Salary.com reports based on HR data, the median total salary of a journeyman welder is $83,962 per year. Benefits such as healthcare ($8,352), pension ($3,104), and Social Security ($4,397) constitute around 18.8% of the whole compensation package.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $56,693 | 67.5% |
| Bonus | $780 | 0.9% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $4,397 | 5.2% |
| 401K/403B | $2,414 | 2.9% |
| Disability | $1,149 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 9.9% |
| Pension | $3,104 | 3.7% |
| Time Off | $7,074 | 8.4% |
| Total Compensation | $83,962 | 100% |
What Can Affect the Salary of a Journeyman Welder?
Experience level, location, education, and skills significantly influence a journeyman welder's salary. The following are the essential salary components:
By Experience Level
An entry-level journeyman welder with less than one year of experience earns an estimated $54,250. On the other hand, those with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $60,416 per year, according to recent data.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Journeyman Welder | $54,250 |
| Intermediate Level Journeyman Welder | $54,433 |
| Senior Level Journeyman Welder | $56,263 |
| Specialist Level Journeyman Welder | $59,229 |
| Expert Level Journeyman Welder | $60,416 |
By Geographic Location
The salary of a journeyman welder in the United States differs by area owing to factors such as cost of living, local economy, and industrial presence.
Presently, six cities in the US are considered hot cities, indicating that these areas provide competitive compensation for journeyman welders.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $63,133 | $70,863 | $80,873 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $56,223 | $63,103 | $72,013 |
| Miami, Florida | $48,743 | $54,713 | $62,443 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $52,993 | $59,473 | $67,873 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $56,623 | $63,553 | $72,533 |
| New York, New York | $58,993 | $66,213 | $75,573 |
| Dallas, Texas | $49,853 | $55,953 | $63,863 |
Among the hot cities, San Francisco provides the highest earnings, ranging from $63,133 to $80,873, whereas Miami presents the lowest, with the salary for journeyman welders ranging from $48,743 to $62,443.
By Skills
Journeyman welders possessing specific abilities could increase their earnings, especially those with in-demand competencies.
Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that a journeyman welder with preventative maintenance abilities can achieve an 8.29% salary increase, while those with safety policies and procedures skills can attain a 7.13% increase. The demand for these skills is 4.38% and 2.73%, accordingly.
Other skills that can increase salary of journeyman welder include:
| Skills | Increase (%) | Demand (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Grinding | 6.72% | 9.70% |
| Quality Control | 6.41% | 2.24% |
| Material Handling | 5.02% | 2.86% |
| Soldering | 4.54% | 1.92% |
| Safety Procedures | 2.85% | 4.47% |
| Welding | 2.72% | 80.00% |
By Education
Most journeyman welders have a high percentage holding a high school diploma (80.8%) followed by associates (12.8%), and those with master’s degrees hold the smallest percentage of 1.3%
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 80.8% |
| Associates | 12.8% |
| Bachelors | 5.1% |
| Masters | 1.3% |
How to Become a Journeyman Welder?
To become a journeyman welder, here are the main qualifications:
- Education: As reported by the BLS, employers frequently favor candidates who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, along with technical training. This training program may be accessible via high school technical education courses or programs at vocational-technical institutes, community colleges, and private schools specializing in welding, soldering, and brazing.
- Hands-on experience: The occupation may be entered by workers through an apprenticeship program that is based on the employer. Many employers prefer to engage with experienced welders who have completed training or credentialing programs, despite the fact that some employers employ inexperienced entry-level workers and train them on the job.
- Licenses, certifications, and registrations: According to BLS, some states and localities require welders to obtain a license; the specific requirements may differ. Courses that culminate in general certification are provided by professional organizations. As an example, the Certified Welder title is given by the American Welding Society.
- Important qualities: A welding career requires attention to detail to observe the joint's characteristics and identify fluctuations in molten metal fluxes. They require excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Moreover, the employee must be capable of maintaining extended periods of time in uncomfortable positions while standing, kneeling, or stooping and possess the ability to raise heavy metal pieces and relocate welding or cutting equipment. Lastly, a welder must be able to comprehend and interpret two- and three-dimensional diagrams.
What are the FAQs about Journeyman Welder?
Here are some common questions about journeyman welders:
How much does a journeyman welder earn on average?
As of January 01, 2025, Salary.com reports the median salary for journeyman welders in the United States is $56,693 per year or $27 per hour.
What skills do journeyman welders need?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders must pay attention to detail, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and the ability to interpret 2D and 3D diagrams. They must also endure long periods in uncomfortable positions and lift heavy metal pieces and equipment.
What is the role of a journeyman welder?
A journeyman welder employs a variety of welding techniques to fabricate, repair, and join metal parts. They interpret blueprints and specifications to guarantee that the welds are structurally solid and precise. Furthermore, they ensure that safety regulations are adhered to and evaluate the quality and durability of completed projects.
