The welding industry in Texas is often viewed as a gateway to steady income, but the reality of how much does a welder make in Texas may surprise many.
Across job boards and salary databases, numbers can look different, leaving new and seasoned welders alike wondering which source paints the clearest picture.
In 2025, the demand for welders in Texas remains strong thanks to its booming oil, gas, and construction sectors.
Yet salaries vary widely depending on location, certification, and role specialization. Some welders earn barely above entry-level wages, while others command pay that outpaces many skilled trades.
This contrast creates curiosity for anyone planning a welding career in the Lone Star State.
Statistics reveal the scale of opportunity. According to Indeed, the average welder in Texas earns about $23 per hour, while ZipRecruiter reports a median annual salary of nearly $48,500.
These figures show how competitive the job market is, and why it pays to understand the nuances behind them.
The difference between working in Midland, Houston, or Dallas can translate into thousands of dollars each year.
Add in certifications like pipeline welding or specialized fabrication, and the wage scale climbs even higher. For many, the question is not just about averages but how to break into the higher-paying brackets.
This guide unpacks everything—from statewide averages to the top-paying cities, roles, and certifications—to reveal what welders can truly expect to make in Texas in 2025.
Current Landscape – How Much Does a Welder Make in Texas?
The average welder salary in Texas depends on whether you measure by the hour, week, or year. In 2025, most welders fall into a clear pay range backed by state and national data.
Industry reports show an average hourly pay of about $23 (Indeed). On an annual basis, the median wage lands near $48,500 (ZipRecruiter).
The low end of the scale starts at around $13 per hour, while the top 10 percent earn closer to $29–$30 per hour. This gap highlights the role of skills, certifications, and job location in shaping earnings.
The wage distribution percentiles show that the 25th percentile is around $35,000, the 50th percentile near $48,500, and the 75th percentile closer to $60,000. This means half of all welders in Texas earn between $35,000 and $60,000 annually.
Compared to the national average of $22 per hour (BLS), Texas welders are slightly ahead, particularly in high-demand regions tied to oil, gas, and construction.
What is the average hourly pay for welders in Texas?
About $23 per hour.
What is the median annual salary?
Roughly $48,500 per year.
What is the salary range from low to high earners?
From $27,000 to $60,000 annually.
How do Texas welders compare to the national average?
They earn slightly above the U.S. average of $22 per hour.
What does the wage distribution show?
Most welders earn between $35,000 and $60,000 annually.
Do welders in Texas get paid weekly or biweekly?
Most are paid biweekly, but some contractors pay weekly.
Is welding in Texas a full-time or seasonal job?
Most roles are full-time, though pipeline jobs can be seasonal.
How much does a welder apprentice earn in Texas?
Apprentices start around $14–$16 per hour.
What is the highest reported welder salary in Texas?
Top earners can make over $70,000 annually.
Do government or military welders earn differently?
Yes, federal contractors often pay above average rates.
Factors Influencing Welder Pay in Texas
Not every welder makes the same wage, even with the same job title. Pay is influenced by certification, experience, industry, union status, and location.
Certified welders consistently earn more. Indeed shows certified welders average $27 per hour, compared to $23 for general welders. Specialized credentials, such as AWS D1.1 or pipeline certifications, raise wages further.
Experience also plays a huge role. Entry-level welders may start around $18 per hour, but seasoned professionals with 10+ years can earn $28 to $36 per hour. Supervisory and foreman roles stretch this range even higher.
Industry matters, too. Welders in oil and gas often earn more than those in manufacturing or general fabrication. Union membership can also increase base wages, overtime pay, and benefits.
Geography adds complexity: cities like Midland and Houston pay more due to energy demand, while oversupplied regions such as Dallas-Fort Worth often lag behind.
Does certification increase welder pay in Texas?
Yes, certified welders average about $27 per hour.
Do pipeline welders earn higher wages?
Yes, often $70,000+ annually with travel pay.
How much does experience impact salary?
Beginners earn $18 per hour, while veterans reach $30+.
Do unions affect welder salaries?
Union welders often earn more and receive better benefits.
Why do city wages vary across Texas?
Demand and oversupply influence regional wage differences.
Do night shift welders earn more in Texas?
Yes, night shifts often include a 10–20% pay differential.
Does overtime significantly raise welder income?
Yes, overtime can add $10,000–$20,000 annually.
How do certifications like AWS affect wages?
They often boost hourly pay by $3–$5.
Do welders in Texas get hazard pay?
Yes, jobs in oilfields or confined spaces may include hazard bonuses.
Does the type of employer impact pay?
Yes, large industrial firms usually pay more than small shops.
Salary by Role and Specialization
Texas offers multiple welding career paths, and pay differs for each. The answer to how much does a welder make in Texas changes dramatically when roles are compared side by side.
Pipeline welders are among the highest earners. Median salaries are near $48,500, with the top 10 percent exceeding $77,000 (TWS). These jobs often involve travel and physically demanding work.
Combo welders also enjoy higher wages, often reaching $55,000 annually. This is because they can work with multiple welding methods, making them versatile across industries.
Shop welders and fabrication welders stay closer to the state average of $40,000 to $43,000. These roles are stable but rarely offer the same wage growth as pipeline or combo welding.
Welding supervisors and shop managers command the highest regular salaries, averaging $60,000 or more per year. These roles blend technical skill with management responsibilities.
Specializations such as TIG and MIG welding may not always raise pay on their own, but they increase job opportunities in sectors like aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive.
What do pipeline welders make in Texas?
From $48,500 to $77,000 annually.
How much do combo welders earn?
Around $55,000 per year.
Do shop welders make less than field welders?
Yes, they average about $40,000 annually.
What is the salary for welding shop managers?
About $60,000 or higher.
Which welding specialization pays the most in Texas?
Pipeline welding consistently leads.
How much do TIG welders make in Texas?
TIG welders average $45,000 to $55,000 annually.
What is the salary for MIG welders?
MIG welders typically earn $40,000 to $48,000 per year.
Do welding inspectors earn more than welders?
Yes, inspectors can earn $65,000 or more annually.
Is underwater welding common in Texas?
Yes, Gulf Coast welders can exceed $100,000 with offshore work.
Do welding foremen earn higher pay?
Yes, foremen often command $65,000 to $75,000 annually.
Geographic Variation Across Texas
Welding salaries in Texas differ significantly depending on location. Some cities pay far above the state average, while others fall behind because of job competition or cost of living.
Indeed shows Midland, Houston, and Corpus Christi consistently ranking among the highest-paying areas. Midland welders often top $30 per hour due to oilfield demand, while Houston averages about $24 per hour.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area reports lower wages, often $20 to $21 per hour, mainly due to an oversupply of welders in the metro. Meanwhile, rural towns typically pay less, but the cost of living makes the wages more manageable.
City-level variations prove that how much does a welder make in Texas cannot be answered with a single number. Earnings change as dramatically as the industries supporting each region.
Which Texas city pays welders the most?
Midland, often over $30 per hour.
How much do welders make in Houston?
About $24 per hour, above the state average.
Why are wages lower in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Oversupply of welders drives pay down.
Do rural welders make less than city welders?
Yes, but living costs are usually lower too.
Are coastal cities like Corpus Christi higher-paying?
Yes, due to energy and port-related demand.
What do welders earn in Austin?
Austin averages around $22 per hour.
How much do welders make in San Antonio?
About $21 per hour, slightly below the state average.
Do border towns pay welders differently?
Yes, wages are often lower due to smaller industries.
Is cost of living a factor in welder salaries?
Yes, high-cost cities like Austin may offer higher wages to offset expenses.
Do port cities like Galveston or Corpus Christi pay more?
Yes, marine and shipyard welding raises average pay.
Salary Trends and Market Outlook
The welding market in Texas is growing, and wages reflect this steady demand. Reports suggest modest salary increases year after year, especially for certified and specialized roles.
ZipRecruiter shows the 2025 median welder salary at $48,500, up from about $46,000 a few years ago. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 2% growth rate for welders nationwide through 2031 (BLS).
Automation is expected to affect lower-skill welding jobs. However, industries requiring precision work, such as aerospace and oil pipelines, will continue to depend heavily on skilled welders.
Mobile and traveling welders may see the highest increases, especially those willing to work in remote oilfields. Demand for repair and maintenance work ensures that welding stays essential across Texas.
Are welder salaries rising in Texas?
Yes, the median has increased in recent years.
Which welding roles will grow the most?
Pipeline and certified welders are in highest demand.
Is automation reducing welding jobs?
It impacts repetitive tasks, but not precision welding.
Will travel welding be important in 2025?
Yes, traveling welders can command higher wages.
Is welding still a stable career in Texas?
Yes, energy and construction ensure steady demand.
Will welder demand grow in Texas through 2030?
Yes, energy and construction are projected to expand steadily.
Are aerospace welders in Texas well paid?
Yes, aerospace and defense jobs often exceed $60,000.
Do renewable energy projects create welder jobs?
Yes, wind and solar infrastructure require skilled welders.
Is the welder shortage real in Texas?
Yes, retirements and demand are outpacing new entrants.
Will advanced automation replace Texas welders?
Not entirely—skilled welders remain essential for complex tasks.
Conclusion
The question of how much does a welder make in Texas has more than one answer. Average wages hover around $23 per hour, but specialization, certification, and location can lift that number far higher.
Midland welders can earn over $30 per hour, while pipeline and certified welders regularly top $70,000 annually. In contrast, shop welders and oversupplied regions such as Dallas-Fort Worth report lower averages closer to $40,000.
Trends suggest modest salary growth in 2025 and beyond, especially for skilled tradespeople willing to pursue certifications. Welding supervisors and shop managers also see career-long stability with wages around $60,000 or higher.
For welders looking to maximize their income, the path is clear. Pursue certifications, consider relocation to high-demand cities, and explore specialized roles that pay above the Texas average.
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.
