Best Paying Welding Jobs in 2026: Top 10 High-Salary Careers, Salaries, and Entry Paths
What Is the Best Welding Job in 2026? (Top 10 Highest-Paying Roles Ranked)
Are you an aspiring welder, career changer, or beginner eyeing high-paying opportunities in the USA? Welding offers lucrative paths in 2026, fueled by a massive industry shortage and booming sectors like energy, aerospace, and infrastructure. This guide ranks the best paying welding jobs based on 2025-2026 projections from BLS data, AWS insights, and industry reports from sources like PTT, TWS, and Redriver.
We'll cover salary ranges, job outlooks, risks, required certifications, and entry paths. Expect practical advice: state-by-state pay (e.g., Texas vs. California), comparisons like underwater vs. pipeline welding, and steps for beginners to hit six figures. With AWS projecting a 360K welder shortage by 2027 and BLS forecasting 80K+ openings yearly through 2029, now's the time to weld your future.
Quick Answer: The Best Welding Jobs by Pay in 2026
The top welding job by pay is underwater welding, offering $100K–$300K annually--but with extreme risks. Oil rig welders follow closely at $100K–$200K. Here's the ranked list with 2026 projections:
Quick Summary: Top 5 Welding Jobs by Avg. Salary (2026 Projections) Rank Job Avg. Salary Demand Growth Key Certs 1 Underwater Welder $100K–$300K High (Offshore boom) AWS D3.6M, ADCI 2 Oil Rig/Offshore Welder $100K–$200K +11% (Energy) AWS D1.1 3 Aerospace Welder $60K–$100K Strong (Aviation) AWS D17.1 4 Pipeline Welder $50K–$80K Steady (Infrastructure) API 1104 5 Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) $67K+ High (Quality control) AWS CWI Sources: BLS, AWS, PTT, TWS, Redriver (2025-2026 data). Union roles add 20%+ pay.
Key Takeaways: Highest-Paying Welding Careers at a Glance
- Salaries: Entry-level $35K–$50K; mid-career $60K–$75K; top specializations $100K–$300K (BLS median $48.5K, but specialized roles far exceed via PTT/TWS).
- Demand: BLS projects 6K+ net new jobs/year to 2032; 80K openings/yr 2025-2029; AWS shortage hits 360K by 2027.
- Top States: AK/ND $73K–$80K+ avg.; TX high for pipeline/oil; CA strong in aerospace/shipbuilding.
- Entry Barriers: 9-10 month vocational training (UTI/RSI); certs boost pay 10-25%; no experience roles with signing bonuses available.
- 2026 Projections: 3-4% wage growth, outpacing inflation in high-demand areas like robotics and nuclear.
Top 10 Best Paying Welding Jobs in 2026 (Ranked by Salary Potential)
1. Underwater Welder: Highest Pay but Extreme Risks
Topping the list: $100K–$300K/yr (inland $50K–$125K; offshore/saturation $200K–$300K at $1K+/day). Depth pay adds $1–$4/ft beyond 100ft (Redriver).
Outlook: High demand in offshore oil/repairs.
Pros/Cons: Massive pay; extreme hazards (drowning, explosions--fatality rate 40x average job).
Entry: AWS D3.6M, ADCI diver cert; dive training + welding program. Union boosts 20%.
2. Oil Rig/Offshore Welder
$100K–$200K ($52K–$207K range, PTT); travel pay rates $75–$300/day.
Outlook: Strong USA 2026 (energy sector).
Pros/Cons: High wages, adventure; isolation, harsh conditions.
Entry: AWS certs, rig safety training.
3. Aerospace Welder
$60K–$100K; precision TIG work on aircraft/spacecraft.
Outlook: Growing with aviation rebound (AWS).
Pros/Cons: Clean shops, high-tech; strict tolerances.
4. Pipeline Welder
$50K–$80K; critical for oil/gas infrastructure.
Outlook: Steady USA demand (BLS infrastructure push).
Pros/Cons: Travel perks; outdoor exposure.
5. Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
$67K+ (Payscale); supervisory/quality role.
Outlook: Booming with shortage.
Entry: AWS CWI (80hr training).
6. Nuclear Welder
$50K–$100K+; specialized for power plants.
Outlook: Stable, high-safety needs.
7. Shipbuilding Welder
$50K–$100K; 5% global growth to 2032 (RSI).
Outlook: Navy/commercial contracts.
8. Welding Foreman
$70K–$120K progression; leads crews.
9. Robotic Welding Technician
Emerging: $60K–$90K; programs automation.
10. Structural Welder
$40K–$75K; bridges/buildings.
Mini Case: Union pipeline welder in ND: +20% pay vs. non-union (PTT). Military transition: UTI training leverages skills for $60K+ civilian starts.
Welding Salary by Experience, State, and Certifications (2026 Data)
By Experience (TWS): Entry $35K–$45K; mid $50K–$65K; senior $75K+. BLS median $48.5K hides specialized highs ($100K+).
By State: AK $73K–$80K; ND $58K–$80K (oil); TX $55K–$70K (pipeline); CA $50K–$65K (aerospace, higher COL).
Certs Boost: AWS D1.1/ASME 10-25%; CWI adds $10K+. Projections: 3.4% growth (PTT 2025).
Structural Welder vs. Pipe Welder vs. Fabrication vs. Field: Salary & Job Comparison
| Role | Salary (2026) | Demand | Key Skills | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe Welder | $50K–$80K | High (Energy) | TIG/Stick (Seabery/PTT) | Flexible, travel; physical strain |
| Structural | $40K–$75K | Steady (Construction) | MIG/Flux-Core | Stable; heights/weather |
| Fabrication | $40K–$60K | Manufacturing | MIG/TIG (RSI) | Shop-based; repetitive |
| Field | $45K–$70K | Infrastructure | Stick/Flux (Weld Wars) | Travel pay; remote sites |
Reconciliation: TWS/PTT show pipe higher than Seabery due to oil boom.
Underwater Welding vs. Oil Rig Welding: Pay, Risks & Lifestyle Comparison
| Factor | Underwater | Oil Rig |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $100K–$300K (depth pay) | $100K–$200K |
| Risks | Extreme (40x fatality) | High (explosions, falls) |
| Lifestyle | Dive saturation weeks | 28-day rotations |
| Training | Diver + AWS | Rig safety + certs |
Case: Saturation diver: $1K/day (Redriver); rigs offer better work-life.
Welding Jobs in Demand 2026: BLS Data & Shortage Outlook
BLS: 80K openings/yr 2025-29; 11% growth in trades. Top techniques: MIG/TIG/Flux-Core (Weld Wars). High-demand certs: AWS D1.1, CWI, API 1104. Sectors: Shipbuilding (5% growth), robotics, military transitions.
Best Welding Jobs for Beginners: High-Pay Entry-Level Options No Experience Needed
Start as fabricator ($40K); shop welder ($35K–$50K). No-exp roles with signing bonuses in TX/ND. Programs: UTI/RSI (9-10mo, MIG/TIG/Stick).
How to Land the Best Welding Jobs: Step-by-Step Checklist & Certifications
- Train: 9-10mo vocational (UTI/RSI/Pennco Tech).
- Certify: AWS D1.1/CWI (boost 10-25%).
- Target: High-pay states/jobs (AK oil, TX pipeline).
- Experience: Entry to foreman; military? Transition via UTI.
- Advance: Instructor roles ($60K+ community college).
Career Progression: From Entry-Level to Six Figures (Foreman, Inspector, Instructor)
Ladder: Entry $40K → Mid $60K → Foreman/CWI $80K–$120K → Inspector/Instructor $67K–$100K. Steps: 2yrs exp + certs.
Pros & Cons of Top Welding Careers
| Career | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Underwater/Oil Rig | $100K+ pay, travel | Risks, isolation |
| Aerospace/Pipeline | Stability, tech | Precision/physical |
| CWI/Foreman | Leadership, $70K+ | Responsibility |
| Shipbuilding/Nuclear | Job security | Strict training/safety |
FAQ
Is underwater welding the highest paying job in 2026?
Yes, up to $300K, but risks are extreme (Redriver/BLS).
What are the best paying welding jobs for beginners with no experience?
Fabricator/field welder ($35K–$50K starts + bonuses).
Pipeline welder job outlook USA 2026?
Strong; infrastructure + energy demand (BLS/UTI).
Underwater welding salary and risks 2026?
$100K–$300K; high fatality from depths/hazards.
Certified welding inspector salary 2026?
$67K+; growing with shortage (AWS/Payscale).
Welder salary by state Texas vs California 2026?
TX: $55K–$70K (oil); CA: $50K–$65K (aerospace, higher COL).