Underwater Welder pay
Commercial diving + welding: rigs, hulls, and pipelines.
National baseline
Public data$36.00/hr
Source: Trade Salaries estimate (Industry estimate, 2026) · bls.gov/oes
By metro area
Atlanta
$34/hr
Austin
$35/hr
Baltimore
$38/hr
Birmingham
$32/hr
Boston
$41/hr
Buffalo
$35/hr
Charlotte
$34/hr
Chicago
$38/hr
Cincinnati
$34/hr
Cleveland
$34/hr
Columbus
$34/hr
Dallas–Fort Worth
$35/hr
Denver
$37/hr
Detroit
$36/hr
Grand Rapids
$33/hr
Hartford
$39/hr
Houston
$35/hr
Indianapolis
$33/hr
Jacksonville
$32/hr
Kansas City
$34/hr
Las Vegas
$35/hr
Los Angeles
$40/hr
Louisville
$32/hr
Memphis
$32/hr
Miami
$33/hr
Milwaukee
$35/hr
Minneapolis
$37/hr
Nashville
$33/hr
New Orleans
$33/hr
New York City
$42/hr
Oklahoma City
$32/hr
Orlando
$32/hr
Philadelphia
$37/hr
Phoenix
$33/hr
Pittsburgh
$35/hr
Portland
$38/hr
Providence
$37/hr
Raleigh
$35/hr
Richmond
$35/hr
Rochester
$35/hr
Sacramento
$39/hr
Salt Lake City
$34/hr
San Antonio
$32/hr
San Diego
$40/hr
San Francisco
$46/hr
San Jose
$47/hr
Seattle
$41/hr
St. Louis
$34/hr
Tampa
$32/hr
Virginia Beach
$34/hr
Frequently asked questions
How much does a underwater welder make?
The national median pay for a underwater welder is $36.00/hr (about $74,880/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 underwater welders make the most?
Among the metros we track, underwater 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 underwater welders make more than non-union?
Union underwater 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.