Skilled trades
welder salary in Pennsylvania
The median welder in Pennsylvania earns $52,900 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 2% below the national median of $53,750, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $74,870.
STATE MEDIAN
$52,900
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$74,870
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
17,850
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
-2%
Below national median
What do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn in Pennsylvania?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$40,510
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$47,240
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$52,900
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$61,920
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$74,870
Top earning range
How does Pennsylvania compare to national earnings?
Pennsylvania pays 2% below the national median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. That makes cost discipline more important, especially if you are choosing between a free apprenticeship path, a community college certificate, and a private program.
Pennsylvania
$52,900
State median annual wage
National median
$53,750
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a welder in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Pennsylvania can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Pennsylvania.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Pennsylvania?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $4,408 in Pennsylvania, that works out to about 1.9%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Skilled trades guide
Read the full skilled trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
welder salary in Texas
Compare this trade in Texas against Pennsylvania.
electrician salary in Pennsylvania
See how a related trade in the same cluster pays in the same state.
Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about welder pay in Pennsylvania
What is the average welder salary in Pennsylvania?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $52,900 for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Pennsylvania, with the top 10% above $74,870.
Is welder a good career in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania currently has 17,850 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $52,900.
How do you become a welder in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Pennsylvania can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for welder earnings?
Pennsylvania is below the national median for this trade. State median: $52,900. National median: $53,750.
What does welder training cost in Pennsylvania?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Pennsylvania.