Welders Pay Range in West Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,700
- 25th Percentile — Junior$39,900
- 50th Percentile — Median$48,810
- 75th Percentile — Senior$60,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$73,780
Half of Welders in West Virginia earn more than $48,810. The top 10% make $73,780 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,700.
Welders in West Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- West Virginia ranks 42nd of 51 states for Welders pay, at $53,350 per year (6.0% below the U.S. average of $56,760).
- 2,100 people work as Welders in West Virginia — 0.5% of all U.S. Welders jobs.
- Location quotient 1.12: Welders jobs are more concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,700; the top 10% earn over $73,780.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.65 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,100.
- Among skilled trades jobs in West Virginia, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($85,000).
Welders Job Market in West Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Welders here earn $53,350 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $53,350 is roughly equivalent to $68,397 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($53,820), North Carolina ($53,720), Kentucky ($53,710) are the closest alternatives for Welders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in West Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $85,000/yr West Virginia +59.3% vs this role
- Telecommunications Line Installers $81,750/yr West Virginia +53.2% vs this role
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers $66,950/yr West Virginia +25.5% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $65,130/yr West Virginia +22.1% vs this role
- Millwrights $65,110/yr West Virginia +22.0% vs this role
- Locksmiths and Safe Repairers $63,930/yr West Virginia +19.8% vs this role
- Maintenance Workers Machinery $59,880/yr West Virginia +12.2% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $53,580/yr West Virginia +0.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Welders salary in West Virginia?
The average Welders salary in West Virginia is $53,350 per year (median $48,810), which is 6.0% below the national average of $56,760.
How does West Virginia rank for Welders pay?
West Virginia ranks 42nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($80,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Welders make in West Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Welders in West Virginia earn about $36,700 per year and the 25th percentile is $39,900.
How much do Welders make per hour in West Virginia?
About $25.65 per hour, based on the $53,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Welders work in West Virginia?
BLS counts 2,100 Welders jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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