MIG / Production Welder pay
Production MIG: fab shops and manufacturing lines.
National baseline
Public data$21.00/hr
Source: Trade Salaries estimate (Industry estimate, 2026) · bls.gov/oes
By metro area
Atlanta
$20/hr
Austin
$21/hr
Baltimore
$22/hr
Birmingham
$18/hr
Boston
$24/hr
Buffalo
$20/hr
Charlotte
$20/hr
Chicago
$22/hr
Cincinnati
$20/hr
Cleveland
$20/hr
Columbus
$20/hr
Dallas–Fort Worth
$20/hr
Denver
$22/hr
Detroit
$21/hr
Grand Rapids
$20/hr
Hartford
$23/hr
Houston
$21/hr
Indianapolis
$20/hr
Jacksonville
$19/hr
Kansas City
$20/hr
Las Vegas
$20/hr
Los Angeles
$24/hr
Louisville
$19/hr
Memphis
$19/hr
Miami
$19/hr
Milwaukee
$20/hr
Minneapolis
$22/hr
Nashville
$20/hr
New Orleans
$19/hr
New York City
$25/hr
Oklahoma City
$19/hr
Orlando
$19/hr
Philadelphia
$21/hr
Phoenix
$20/hr
Pittsburgh
$21/hr
Portland
$22/hr
Providence
$21/hr
Raleigh
$20/hr
Richmond
$20/hr
Rochester
$20/hr
Sacramento
$23/hr
Salt Lake City
$20/hr
San Antonio
$19/hr
San Diego
$23/hr
San Francisco
$27/hr
San Jose
$27/hr
Seattle
$24/hr
St. Louis
$20/hr
Tampa
$19/hr
Virginia Beach
$20/hr
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mig / production welder make?
The national median pay for a mig / production welder is $21.00/hr (about $43,680/year full-time), based on public baseline data. Actual pay varies by city, experience, and union status. Compare 50 US metros on this page.
Where do mig / production welders make the most?
Among the metros we track, mig / production welder pay is highest in San Jose, San Francisco, New York City. These are baseline estimates. Anonymous worker reports refine them over time.
Do union mig / production welders make more than non-union?
Union mig / production welders typically earn more, but the gap varies by city. Our city pages break pay down by union vs non-union wherever workers have reported. Add your pay anonymously to make your city's numbers more accurate.