Stick Welder Salary Guide: How Much Do They Make

The hood drops before sunrise and a white arc snaps to life on a wind-cold beam.

 A new hand steadies a 7018 rod and wonders if this skill can cover rent, tools, and a little breathing room.

Pay seems to shift with every job post, foreman rumor, and recruiter text.

The same question keeps echoing on the jobsite and online: how much does a stick welder make.

Government data sets the baseline for the trade, showing a median annual wage of $51,000 for welders in May 2024. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 That number spans all processes, so SMAW specialists need extra context to read it right.

Job-ad data focused specifically on stick welders tightens the picture, with averages around $20.72 per hour or roughly $43,103 per year. ZipRecruiter
Those figures come from live postings and can move with market demand.

The gap between sources raises anxiety for new welders and travelers.
It also hides opportunity for those who stack the right certs, chase overtime, and pick smart locations.

This guide turns big ranges into paycheck math a welder can actually use.
It maps the levers that raise SMAW pay fast, from 3G and 6G tests to travel assignments with per diem.

By the end, readers can compare an offer against national data and city lists.
They can also plan the next certification that moves a rate higher with confidence.

What “Stick Welder” Means in Pay Surveys (SMAW vs general welder)

Stick welding is the shop name for SMAW and many salary sites lump SMAW into broad “welder” buckets.
That is why numbers change when asking how much does a stick welder make across different sources.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a single category for “Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers,” with a $51,000 median in May 2024. Bureau of Labor Statistics
This aggregates SMAW with other processes, so SMAW-specific pay is blended.

Job-ad aggregators sometimes break out a dedicated stick welder page and show the $20.72 per hour national average. ZipRecruiter
Use BLS for the stable baseline and job-ad pages for current SMAW rates.

• Is stick welding the same as SMAW? Yes, SMAW is the formal process name for stick welding.
• Do pay reports track SMAW separately? Some do, but many roll SMAW into general welder data.
• Which source best answers “how much does a stick welder make”? Use BLS for baseline and stick-specific job boards for live rates. Bureau of Labor Statistics+1
• Why do numbers differ across websites? Each source uses different samples such as employer postings, user reports, or government surveys.

So, how much does a stick welder make on average?

A practical national range settles near $20–$24 per hour for many SMAW roles.
ZipRecruiter’s stick welder page shows $20.72 per hour with a typical range from $17.79 to $22.12 at the 25th to 75th percentiles. ZipRecruiter

General welder snapshots can run a bit higher depending on mix.
Indeed lists a $23.68 hourly average for welders across the U.S., based on recent postings. Indeed

PayScale centers near $22.46 per hour, reflecting user-reported pay over time. Payscale
Glassdoor aggregates total pay and often shows upper ranges near and above $28 per hour. Glassdoor

• What is a realistic hourly rate today? $20–$24 per hour is common for SMAW, with local variance. ZipRecruiter+1
• What counts as top-tier hourly pay? $27–$33 per hour shows up in higher-pay metros and niches. Indeed+1
• How does annual pay translate from hourly? Multiply base by hours and add overtime and per diem to see real totals.
• Can SMAW roles reach $70k+? Yes in strong industries, high-pay regions, or with heavy overtime. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Factors That Move Pay Up or Down

Pay bends with industry, location, experience, certifications, shift, union status, travel, overtime, and hazard.
These levers decide whether “average” becomes top-quartile income.

Industry mix matters since energy, shipbuilding, and heavy construction bid higher rates.
BLS lists welding across multiple sectors and shows wide spread by industry. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Location shifts rates through cost of living and demand.
High-pay hubs and remote projects pay premiums, while lower-cost regions track close to national medians. ZipRecruiter

Experience, test history, and multi-process flexibility push offers up.
Passing 3G/4G plate and 6G pipe tests signals value on day one. gowelding.org

• Which industries pay more for SMAW? Oil and gas, shipyards, and heavy construction often lead. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• How much does location matter? Top states and cities can beat national averages by 15–25 percent. ZipRecruiter
• Does shift work add pay? Nights and weekends typically add differentials in posted offers.
• What boosts pay fastest? Passing higher-position weld tests and being travel-ready.

Entry-Level vs. Experienced Stick Welder Pay

Entry-level SMAW often starts near $17–$21 per hour and climbs with test results and reliability.
Within 12–24 months, strong hands with certs commonly reach the mid-20s in active markets. Payscale

Leads and foremen add premiums for supervision and documentation.
Inspectors and NDT roles trade hood time for higher pay and stability once experience is proven.

Q&A

• What does an entry-level stick welder make? Around $17–$21 per hour in many regions. Payscale
• How quickly can pay rise? Jumps often follow 3G/4G and 6G test passes and clean RT or bend results. gowelding.org
• Do leads earn more? Yes, supervision and fit-up oversight carry premiums.
• Is inspection worth it later? CWI and related credentials can lift long-term earning power.

Pay by State and City for Stick Welders

State and city lists help target better offers before committing to a move.
ZipRecruiter’s stick-welder state table regularly shows top states around $23 per hour and annual pay near the high-40s. ZipRecruiter

City rankings routinely place Nome, AK and Berkeley, CA above national averages for stick welders.
These outliers demonstrate how remote work or high-cost metros can push rates significantly higher. ZipRecruiter

• Which regions are hot right now? Alaska and California metros often post above-average pay for SMAW. ZipRecruiter
• Are these lists stable? They change with project cycles and local demand.
• Should relocation be considered? Yes if per diem and hours justify higher living costs.
• How to compare offers across cities? Convert everything to total comp and subtract realistic lodging.

Union vs. Non-Union Pay for Stick Welding

Union work anchors pay to a published scale with benefits and clear overtime rules.
Open-shop roles can outpay temporarily during shutdowns or high-demand windows.

Scales vary by local and project type, and dispatch timelines also matter.
Non-union offers may trade benefits for higher hourly rates during surge projects.

• Do unions always pay more? Often yes on base and benefits, but markets can flip during outages.
• Where to see a scale? Request the current collective agreement from the local hall.
• What about dues? Dues reduce take-home slightly but benefits and consistency offset for many workers.
• Is non-union riskier? Variability is higher, so written terms are vital.

Certifications and Weld Tests That Raise SMAW Pay

Certifications prove readiness and reduce start-up risk for employers.
Structural work leans on AWS D1.1 while pipe work often references ASME Section IX test positions. American Welding Society+1

The 6G pipe test is widely seen as a demanding benchmark that signals all-position ability.
Passing 6G with SMAW or combo processes can unlock higher-pay pipe and repair roles. gowelding.org

AWS publishes updates that shape structural work and inspection pathways.
D1.1 guidance and endorsements help inspectors and welders align with industry standards. American Welding Society+1

• Which cert moves pay first for SMAW? 3G/4G for structural and 6G for pipe are strong levers. gowelding.org
• Do companies accept school certs? Many still require on-site bend or X-ray before start.
• Is multi-process worth it? Adding FCAW or GTAW widens access to top gigs.
• How to keep credentials current? Track expirations and renew per code or employer requirements. American Welding Society

Overtime, Per Diem, and Travel Pay

Overtime and per diem can double a paycheck during outages and big builds.
Sixty-hour weeks stack time-and-a-half and boost monthly income far beyond base rates.

Travel jobs often include daily per diem and paid travel or mileage.
Policies vary by contractor, so written details matter before taking a dispatch.

Pipeline and combo pipe roles illustrate how niche work lifts pay above general SMAW.
Average pipeline welder rates often sit around the $34 per hour mark nationwide. ZipRecruiter

• How much can OT add? Twenty extra hours at time-and-a-half can add thousands per month.
• What is per diem? A tax-advantaged daily allowance for meals and lodging on travel jobs.
• Are travel days paid? Many are, but policies vary by employer and contract.
• Which niches pay more? Pipeline, combo pipe, and certain shutdowns top typical shop SMAW. ZipRecruiter

Industry Snapshots for Stick Welders

Pipeline: Highest averages with strict weld tests and heavy travel.
ZipRecruiter lists pipeline welder pay near $34 per hour, with common annuals above $70k. ZipRecruiter

Shipyards: Steady work with OT potential and coastal cost-of-living effects.
Indeed and ZipRecruiter show shipyard welder averages in the mid-20s to low-30s per hour. ZipRecruiter+1

Structural steel and erection: Field work pays more than shop due to conditions.
AWS D1.1 governs much of this work and influences inspection and acceptance. American Welding Society

Maintenance and shutdowns: Intense hours for short bursts with per diem and premiums.
Schedules can run 60–84 hours, so fatigue management and safety are critical.

• Which SMAW niche pays best overall? Pipeline and combo pipe roles often lead averages. ZipRecruiter
• Are shipyards good for consistent hours? Yes, and many offer OT at predictable cadence. ZipRecruiter
• Does structural steel require specific codes? Yes, D1.1 drives requirements and inspection criteria. American Welding Society
• What about fabrication shops? Great for steady work but often lower than field rates.

How to Negotiate a Better Stick Welder Rate

Preparation starts with data and ends with clean weld tests.
Bring a cert log, references, and photos or reports from defect-free work.

Ask about hours, overtime policy, shift differentials, per diem, travel pay, and tools.
Confirm start date, dispatch rules, and pay frequency in writing.

• When to negotiate? After passing the weld test and before accepting the start date.
• Which levers move fastest? OT schedule, shift diff, per diem, and travel terms.
• What proof helps? RT reports, bend coupons, and supervisor references.
• What are red flags? Vague OT, unpaid travel, or “per diem later” promises.

Career Path: From SMAW to Higher-Paid Roles

SMAW is a foundation that branches to pipe, rig, combo, inspection, and supervision.
Travel readiness and multi-process skills widen choices and stabilize income between projects.

Inspection credentials create long-term options when body wear becomes a factor.
AWS endorsements and education pathways support that transition. American Welding Society

• Fastest pay bump from SMAW? Add 6G pipe and accept travel windows. gowelding.org
• Is CWI realistic after a few years? Yes with documented experience and study. American Welding Society
• Do leads and foremen weld less? Yes, but they add coordination pay.
• Should GTAW be added? GTAW opens combo roles and higher-spec pipe work.

Future Demand and Job Outlook for Stick Welders

Demand is strong as retirements and infrastructure spending overlap.
AWS highlights 320,500 new welding professionals needed by 2029, averaging 80,000 openings a year. Welding Workforce Data LIVE

Other AWS publications reference a 360,000 need by 2027, showing how projections vary with methodology and time frame. American Welding Society+1
Either way, labor supply remains tight, which helps support wages for skilled SMAW work.

BLS also shows welding as a large production occupation with 424,040 employed in May 2024. Bureau of Labor Statistics
That scale and the replacement pipeline sustain steady opportunity.

• Is stick welding still relevant with robots? Yes, field and repair fit-ups keep SMAW essential. American Welding Society
• Will demand cool soon? Projections show sustained openings across the decade. Welding Workforce Data LIVE
• Which skills future-proof a welder? Multi-process ability plus code literacy and safe productivity.
• Where to watch openings? Local halls, regional contractors, shipyards, and major fabricators.

Quick Formula: Estimate Your Stick Welder Pay

A simple total-comp formula clarifies offers across cities and projects.
Use base pay × hours + OT premium + per diem + travel pay − lodging and commute costs = take-home estimate.

Run the math for 60-hour outage weeks and compare to 40-hour shop roles.
Add benefits value if comparing union scale to open-shop hourly.

• What base should be used? Start with your city or state average and adjust for niche and shift. ZipRecruiter
• How many OT hours to expect? Ask for a sample schedule and typical outage pattern.
• How to value per diem? Treat it as daily cash added and subtract real lodging.
• Annualizing short projects? Average busy and slow months to forecast the year.

Conclusion

Answering how much does a stick welder make starts with the national baseline and ends with the levers that move real pay.
Most SMAW hands see $20–$24 per hour as a common range, with higher tiers in strong cities, pipeline work, and heavy OT. ZipRecruiter+1

Location, certifications, and willingness to travel decide how fast a rate climbs.
Use the formula here to compare offers, set a 3G/4G or 6G target, and chase projects that pay for skill and hours. gowelding.org

A tight labor market and steady demand bode well for welders who keep learning.
Stack the right certs, protect safety, and let data guide the next move. Welding Workforce Data LIVE