Marine welders work amid docks, shipyards, and coastal repair sites, putting their skills to use under unique conditions. The big question on many minds is this: how much does a marine welder make. Exploring this career reveals a spectrum of earning potential that depends on experience, location, and specialization.
Research shows marine welders average $57,939 per year—about $27.86 per hour—according to ZipRecruiter data from August 2025 tentacletools.com+2ZipRecruiter+2ETI+14ZipRecruiter+14YesWelder+14.
Yet actual earnings range significantly, from around $22/hour for less experienced workers to over $44/hour for top performers ZipRecruiter, spurring curiosity: What causes these wide gaps?
Understanding factors like job mode (inland vs. offshore), skill level, certification, and geography is key. Ready-to-publish, this guide dives into every detail: pay breakdowns, regional insights, career stages, and future projections. Let’s start untangling what boosts or caps a marine welder’s earnings.
1. Marine Welder Income Overview
Marine welding offers a broad pay range. ZipRecruiter reports that most marine welders earn between $22 and $28/hour, and the average is $27.86/hour or $57,939/year Vocational Training Institute+11ZipRecruiter+11tentacletools.com+11.
The pay spectrum includes:
- 25th percentile: $22/hour ($46,000/year)
- 75th percentile: $28/hour ($57,500/year)
- Top 10%: Over $44/hour (~$92,000/year) ZipRecruiter
These differences reflect variations in experience, certifications, and job complexity. Let’s examine how location factors in next.
2. Pay by Location: Where Are Marine Welders Paid Most?
Geography heavily influences marine welder pay. ZipRecruiter highlights these high-paying states:
- Washington: $65,622/year ($31.55/hour)
- District of Columbia: $65,473/year ($31.48/hour)
- New York: $63,388/year ($30.48/hour)
- Massachusetts: $63,277/year ($30.42/hour)
- Alaska: $62,397/year ($30/hour) Glassdoor+11ZipRecruiter+11ZipRecruiter+11
Top-paying cities include Nome, AK (~$71,874/year), Berkeley, CA, and Sitka, AK—each above national averages by more than 20% ZipRecruiter.
Q&A
- Which states pay marine welders the most?
Regions like Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska offer top salaries. - Is relocation beneficial?
Yes—moving to coastal or industrial hubs can rapidly increase earning potential. - Do top-paying cities offer much more?
Yes—for example, Nome, AK drives earnings to nearly $72,000/year ZipRecruiter+2Arccaptain+2ZipRecruiter.
3. Pay by Experience: How Earnings Grow Over Time
Experience steadily boosts income, especially in demanding marine roles:
- Entry-level (0–3 years): ~$30,000–$40,000/year inland; offshore pay ranges $50,000–$70,000/year tentacletools.com+1
- Mid-career (4–9 years): Inland welders earn $40,000–$60,000; offshore wages jump to $70,000–$90,000/year Anderson Dahlen+15tentacletools.com+15Reddit+15
- Veteran welders (10+ years): Inland pay climbs to $60,000–$80,000; offshore specialists may earn $90,000–$150,000+ tentacletools.com
Glassdoor adds context: average marine welders earn $69,054/year (~$33/hour), ranging from $57,067 to $84,291, with top earners exceeding $100,000 ZipRecruiter.
Q&A
- How much for beginners?
$30,000–$40,000 inland; $50,000–$70,000 offshore. - What can mid-career welders expect?
Inland: $40k–$60k; Offshore: $70k–$90k. - What about senior welders?
Inland: $60k–$80k; Offshore specialists: $90k–$150k+.
4. Specialization: Underwater and Offshore Welding
Underwater welding—among the most dangerous and specialized trades—offers significantly higher pay.
- Salaries for underwater welders range from $50,000 to $90,000 annually and reach $200,000–$300,000 for top saturation divers tentacletools.comETI+2Arccaptain+2.
- Popular Mechanics reports commercial divers—including underwater welders—earn $39,000 to $137,000/year, with an average around $76,000 Popular Mechanics.
Be warned: Reddit highlights the danger, noting high fatality rates in deep or offshore diving Reddit.
Q&A
- Is underwater welding highest paid in marine welding?
Yes—saturation divers may earn $200k–$300k/year. - What’s the average pay for underwater welders?
$50k–$90k on average, potentially more with advanced training. - Is the work risky?
Highly—dangers include decompression sickness, hypothermia, and equipment failure.
5. Comparison: Marine Welding vs. Other Welding Fields
Marine welding generally pays higher than many standard welding roles.
- Nationwide median for all welders is $51,000/year (~$24.52/hr) as of 2024 ArccaptainPopular MechanicsBureau of Labor Statistics.
- With broader industry figures averaging $50,460/year in 2022 Goodwin University, marine welders clearly earn a premium.
Q&A
- Is marine welding more lucrative than surface welding?
Yes—especially for offshore and underwater roles. - How much do general welders earn?
Between $50,000–$51,000/year, on average.
6. Future Outlook: Marine Welding Career Prospects
Welding demand remains high, partly due to retirements and infrastructure needs.
- The American Welding Society forecasts a need for 330,000 new welding professionals by 2028, averaging 82,500 jobs per year Indeed+15Earlbeck Gases & Technologies+15tentacletools.com+15ETIYesWelder+1ZipRecruiter+1
- Though general growth is modest—2% from 2024 to 2034 for all welding professionals Bureau of Labor Statistics—marine and underwater welding demand is stronger thanks to aging maritime infrastructure Popular Mechanics.
- Underwater welding, with its specialized skill set and scarcity, offers excellent job security ETI.
Q&A
- Is the marine welding job outlook positive?
Yes—especially for specialized and underwater roles. - Are there many upcoming openings?
Yes—over 82,500 welding jobs annually through 2028 ETI+3PTT EDU+3Anderson Dahlen+3. - Will automation reduce demand?
Unlikely for marine welding, which relies on human skill under complex conditions.
7. Salary Drivers: What Raises Marine Welder Pay
- Geography – Coastal, industrial, or high-cost cities offer top pay.
- Experience & Specialization – Offshore and underwater roles yield higher earnings.
- Certifications – Commercial diving, AWS credentials, and saturation training boost pay significantly.
- Employer Type – Union or governmental contracts offer better compensation and benefits.
- Market Needs – Infrastructure projects and marine maintenance drive demand.
Q&A
- What factors most affect pay?
Experience, location, certifications, and job type. - Do certifications help?
Absolutely—diving and welding certifications unlock premium jobs. - Are union jobs better paid?
Typically yes—with advantages in pay and benefits.
8. Risks and Challenges of Marine Welding
Marine welding is not for the faint-hearted:
- Requires working in confined, slippery, or unstable environments—often near water, in variable weather or at awkward angles Popular MechanicsArccaptain.
- Underwater welding adds risks: drowning, hypothermia, decompression sickness, and equipment failures Popular Mechanics.
- Training is intensive and costly; maintaining physical fitness is vital Popular Mechanics.
Q&A
- Is marine welding dangerous?
Yes—especially underwater and offshore roles. - What safety measures help?
Training, proper gear, physical fitness, and strict protocols.
Extended FAQs: How Much Does a Marine Welder Make?
- What do marine welders earn per hour?
~$27.86 average; ranges from ~$22 to $44+ depending on role and experience Popular MechanicsZipRecruiter. - Annual salary range?
From $46,000 (25th) to over $92,000 (top 10%) ZipRecruiter. - Best-paying states?
Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, Alaska, among the highest ZipRecruiter. - How much do starters earn?
$30k–$40k inland; $50k–$70k offshore tentacletools.com. - Mid-career earnings?
Inland: $40k–$60k; Offshore: $70k–$90k tentacletools.com. - Senior marine welder pay?
Inland: $60k–$80k; Offshore: $90k–$150k+ ZipRecruiter. - How much underwater welders make?
Typically $50k–$90k; specialized divers: $200k–$300k+ Arccaptain. - Underwater welding dangers?
High—includes drowning, decompression sickness, and extreme environments Popular Mechanics. - Marine vs. general welding salaries?
Marine pays more—average welders earn $50k–$51k, while marine may exceed $60k and up YesWelder+15Bureau of Labor Statistics+15Reddit+15tentacletools.com. - Industry demand?
Very strong—82,500 welding jobs needed annually through 2028 Earlbeck Gases & Technologies+1. - Automation impact?
Low—marine welding needs human expertise, particularly in specialized areas. - Certification importance?
Crucial—drives pay and access to high-end marine roles. - Is relocation worthwhile?
Yes—cities like Nome, AK or Berkeley, CA significantly raise earning potential Popular MechanicsETI+3ZipRecruiter+3tentacletools.com+3. - How hazardous is marine welding?
Hazardous, especially for underwater work; requires rigorous preparation and safety protocols. - Do government/civil roles pay more?
Often, yes—union or federal contracts add pay and benefits. - Can marine welders sustain long careers?
With proper training and fitness, yes; some work well into their 60s ZipRecruiter+3Popular Mechanics+3Reddit+3. - Is job security strong?
Yes—aging infrastructure and retirements support sustained demand ZipRecruiter+6Vocational Training Institute+6ETI+6. - Do offshore welders get travel perks?
Often—they receive housing, hazard, and travel stipends. - What tools or tech boost income?
Robotic tools and defect detection tech like Adapt-WeldNet improve precision and pay arxiv.org. - Best path to high earnings?
Combine certified skills, offshore specialization, and willingness to relocate.
Conclusion
So, how much does a marine welder make? The answer spans from $46,000 at entry levels to well over $150,000 for seasoned specialists—and even six-figure incomes for saturation divers.
Success in marine welding requires grit, top-notch training, and strategic career planning. Key levers include advanced certifications, specialization in offshore and underwater work, and targeting high-paying regions.
If marine welding fascinates you, consider investing in commercial diving training, AWS certifications, and exploring coastal job markets. It’s a tough trade—but for those ready, it offers adventure, security, and financial upside.
I’m Darrell Julian, the founder, lead writer, and hands-on welding enthusiast behind ArcWeldingPro.com. With more than 15 years of real-world welding experience, I created this platform to share what I’ve learned in the field, in the shop, and in the heat of the arc.
