Union Welder Salary 2025: How Much Do They Earn?

A group of welders gathers at a refinery gate just before sunrise, scanning the wage sheet posted for the new shutdown.

 Numbers fill the page, but the question remains: how much does a union welder really make in 2025?

Union contracts are complex, with pay made up of more than just an hourly rate. Base wages are joined by overtime, per diem, travel pay, and fringe benefits like health and pension contributions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was about $48,940 annually in 2023, while union members typically earn a wage premium compared to non-union peers [BLS].

 That premium grows even higher when extended hours, double-time weekends, and tax-free per diem are factored in.

In busy outage seasons, it is common for union welders to log 60–84 hours a week on large industrial projects. 

With overtime multipliers, a welder’s annual income can climb well into six figures. Add in employer-paid benefits, and the total compensation package can be worth far more than the paycheck alone.

But earnings vary widely depending on the local union, industry sector, certifications, and willingness to travel.

 A nuclear plant shutdown in one state may offer double-time Sundays and high per diem, while a shipyard contract in another state may provide steady hours at lower base rates.

This guide breaks down exactly how much a union welder makes, what drives pay differences, and how certifications and travel can boost income in 2025.

Quick Answer: How Much Does a Union Welder Make in 2025?

Union welders in 2025 typically earn between $28 and $45 per hour in base wages, depending on union, local, and contract. With overtime, per diem, and benefits, many see annual packages ranging from $70,000 to $120,000 or more.

Travelers working shutdowns or nuclear outages often exceed six figures by combining extended hours with tax-free allowances. Local steady work may yield lower gross wages but provides stability and strong benefits.

What’s the average union welder hourly rate?
$28–$45 per hour, depending on the local and sector.

Can union welders make six figures?
Yes, with OT, double-time, and per diem in outage seasons.

Do benefits count as pay?
Yes, health, pension, and annuity contributions add $15–$40 per hour.

Why do rates differ by city?
Each local negotiates its own collective bargaining agreement.

What’s a typical annual income?
$70,000–$120,000+, depending on travel and overtime.

Union Landscape: Which Unions Employ Welders?

Several major building trade unions place welders on projects. The most common include the United Association (UA), Boilermakers, Ironworkers, Sheet Metal Workers, and IBEW for certain scopes.

Each union covers different industries, from refineries and power plants to bridges and shipyards. Traveler rules allow qualified welders to take calls across locals when demand spikes.

Which union pays the most?
Boilermakers and UA travelers often see the highest wages on outages.

Can a welder switch unions?
Yes, but rules vary by trade and jurisdiction.

Do PLAs affect wages?
Yes, project labor agreements standardize pay across trades on big jobs.

Are union welders only in construction?
No, many work in shipyards, fabrication, and maintenance.

Do all unions require the same certifications?
No, each has its own testing and continuity requirements.

What’s on a Wage Sheet? (Base Rate, Fringes, Adders)

Union wage sheets break down pay into multiple parts. These include base rate, health and welfare, pension, annuity, vacation funds, training, and dues.

Adders may include premiums for TIG welding, confined space, or tube welding. Shift differentials and zone pay also boost earnings in certain regions.

Are fringes paid in cash?
Some are, but most go directly to benefit funds.

What are adders?
Extra pay for difficult tasks like TIG or tube welding.

How are apprentices paid?
They earn a percentage of journeyman scale, increasing each year.

What is zone pay?
An extra allowance for travel or remote jobs.

Do all locals have the same benefits?
No, benefits vary widely across unions and contracts.

Overtime, Per Diem & Travel: The Big Multipliers

Overtime is where pay really grows. Many contracts pay time-and-a-half after 8 hours and double-time on Sundays or holidays.

Per diem and travel pay add untaxed income for welders who travel away from their tax home. Shutdowns and turnarounds often provide 60–84 hour workweeks for months at a time.

What is double time?
2x base rate, usually for Sundays or holidays.

How many hours are typical in outages?
60–84 per week, depending on project demands.

Is per diem taxed?
Usually not, if travel meets IRS guidelines.

Do welders get paid for travel time?
Often yes, through mileage or subsistence pay.

How much can per diem add?
$50–$150+ daily, depending on location.

Certifications That Boost Pay

High-value certifications raise earning potential. These include 6G and 6GR pipe, TIG root, stainless and alloy quals, ASME IX, and AWS D1.1.

Additional cards such as rigging, confined space, and aerial lift also increase employability. The more qualifications a welder holds, the more premium calls they can take.

Does a 6G cert raise pay?
Yes, it qualifies welders for premium pipe calls.

Is 6GR required?
Yes, for structural welds with restricted access.

Are certs transferable?
With continuity logs, many are portable between locals.

Do employers pay for certs?
Often yes, especially for needed procedures.

What if continuity lapses?
A retest is required to renew certification.

Sector Pay Differences

Pay varies greatly across industries. Refineries and petrochem plants often pay higher wages due to hazards and demand.

Nuclear power plants add premiums for security clearances, while shipyards and fabrication shops may pay less but offer steadier hours.

Is nuclear higher paid?
Yes, especially with clearance and outage intensity.

Do shipyards pay less?
Often yes, though work is more consistent.

Which sector has longest outages?
Refineries and power generation outages can last months.

Are bridge welders well paid?
Yes, DOT and structural welds often pay premiums.

Do sectors affect per diem?
Yes, heavy industrial projects usually pay more per diem.

Location and Cost of Living

Union pay is always tied to local agreements. A welder in New York or California may earn a higher hourly rate than one in the Midwest, but cost of living offsets the difference.

Travelers often seek high-per-diem locations, while locals prefer steady nearby work. Housing availability and regional demand drive pay adjustments.

Why do locals vary in pay?
Each negotiates its own contract.

Do expensive cities pay more?
Yes, higher wages reflect higher living costs.

Do remote jobs offer housing?
Yes, camps or allowances are common.

Can per diem exceed wages?
Sometimes yes, in very high-cost areas.

Do location rules affect taxes?
Yes, tax home status determines per diem treatment.

Apprenticeship vs Journeyman Pay

Union apprenticeships typically last 4–5 years. Pay starts at 40–60% of journeyman scale and increases with each year of training.

Journeymen earn full scale rates, plus eligibility for all premiums, adders, and travel work.

What do first-year apprentices earn?
About 40–60% of journeyman scale.

Do apprentices get benefits?
Yes, though accrual may be lower in early years.

How often does pay increase?
With each completed term and class.

Can prior experience shorten the program?
Yes, some credit may be granted.

How do apprentices reach journeyman?
Completion of school, OJT hours, and testing.

True Total Compensation

Union welders earn more than the paycheck shows. Benefits often add $15–$40+ per hour, covering pensions, annuities, health insurance, and vacation.

This means a $40/hour base rate could equal $70+ per hour in true compensation.

What’s included in fringes?
Health, pension, annuity, training, and vacation funds.

Do pensions vest?
Yes, after required service years.

Are benefits portable?
Many are, across locals in the same trade.

Can benefits be cashed out?
Vacation funds often pay out annually.

Do benefits continue between jobs?
Yes, with enough banked hours.

Sample Pay Scenarios

Scenario 1: Local steady – A journeyman earns $40/hour for 40 hours weekly, plus $25 in fringes. Annual value: ~$130,000 including benefits.

Scenario 2: Traveler outage – A welder works 7×12s at $38/hour, with $100/day per diem for 10 weeks. Gross pay + per diem can exceed $35,000 for the outage.

Scenario 3: Shipyard steady – A welder earns $30/hour, 50 hours weekly, with modest benefits. Annual total: ~$80,000.

Which scenario pays most?
Traveler outage with OT and per diem.

Which is most stable?
Local steady with benefits.

Which suits family life?
Shipyard or steady local.

How much can OT add?
Dozens of thousands annually.

Are per diem and travel taxed?
Usually not, if IRS-compliant.

How to Earn More in 12 Months

Union welders can increase earnings by targeting specific certifications, taking night shifts, and traveling for outages. Reliability and strong test results mean quicker call-backs.

Building a reputation across locals ensures consistent high-paying opportunities.

What cert boosts pay fastest?
6G/6GR pipe qualifications.

Is night shift worth it?
Yes, premiums plus OT multiply wages.

Do soft skills matter?
Yes, reliability builds reputation.

How to get traveler calls?
Maintain good standing and paperwork.

Can planning increase income?
Yes, following outage calendars maximizes hours.

2025 Outlook: Demand, Automation, and Mobility

Despite automation, demand for union welders remains high. Aging infrastructure, energy transitions, and industrial growth ensure steady work.

Robotics may complement but not replace welders, especially in complex repairs. Travelers with pipe and alloy certifications will see strong demand.

Is automation replacing welders?
Not in field work or shutdowns.

Will demand grow?
Yes, infrastructure projects are expanding.

What certs are future-proof?
Pipe, alloy, and restricted position welds.

Are international jobs available?
Yes, many contractors recruit globally.

Is union membership growing?
Yes, as workers seek wage security.

Conclusion

So, how much does a union welder make in 2025? Depending on union, location, and overtime, most earn $70,000 to $120,000+ annually with benefits adding thousands more in value.

Outage travelers and nuclear welders can reach six figures consistently, while steady locals enjoy stability and long-term pensions. Certifications like 6G and 6GR further boost opportunities and income.

For welders aiming to maximize pay, the path is clear: maintain certifications, plan travel around outage seasons, and take advantage of union benefits. The reward is one of the most secure and lucrative skilled trades in the workforce.