Welding is a skilled trade with wide-ranging earning potential in the UK. What you earn depends heavily on your specialisation, coding qualifications, and sector. Here’s a complete breakdown.
Welder Salaries by Experience Level
| Experience | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Apprentice / Trainee | £14,000-£18,000 |
| Newly qualified (general) | £22,000-£27,000 |
| Experienced (3-5 years) | £28,000-£36,000 |
| Coded / specialist welder | £35,000-£55,000 |
| Offshore / pipeline welder | £45,000-£80,000+ |
Pay by Welding Specialisation
The welding process you specialise in significantly affects your earnings.
MIG / MAG Welding
The most common welding process in manufacturing.
- Typical salary: £24,000-£32,000
- Common sectors: Manufacturing, fabrication shops, automotive
- Hourly rate (agency): £12-£16
TIG Welding
A more precise process used for stainless steel, aluminium, and thin materials.
- Typical salary: £28,000-£40,000
- Common sectors: Aerospace, food/pharmaceutical equipment, precision fabrication
- Hourly rate (agency): £14-£22
- Premium over MIG: 15-25% higher
MMA (Stick) Welding
Used in construction, structural steelwork, and site work.
- Typical salary: £26,000-£36,000
- Common sectors: Construction, structural steel, maintenance
- Hourly rate (agency): £13-£18
Coded Welding
Holding welding procedure qualifications (welding to specific codes like BS EN ISO 9606) opens up the highest-paying roles.
- Typical salary: £35,000-£55,000
- Premium sectors: Oil and gas, nuclear, pressure vessels, pipelines
- Day rate (contract): £180-£350+
Pipe Welding
Specialist pipe welders, especially those coded for high-pressure work, are among the highest paid.
- Onshore pipeline: £40,000-£55,000 or £200-£300/day
- Offshore pipeline: £50,000-£80,000+ or £300-£500/day
- Nuclear: £45,000-£65,000
Sector Pay Comparison
| Sector | Typical Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General fabrication | £24,000-£32,000 | High volume, steady work |
| Construction / structural | £28,000-£38,000 | Site-based, may include travel |
| Aerospace | £30,000-£42,000 | Precision TIG, clean environments |
| Automotive manufacturing | £26,000-£34,000 | Production line welding |
| Oil and gas (onshore) | £35,000-£55,000 | Coded work, shutdowns |
| Oil and gas (offshore) | £50,000-£80,000+ | Rotational, high day rates |
| Nuclear | £40,000-£60,000 | Security clearance, coded |
| Shipbuilding | £28,000-£38,000 | Structural and pipe welding |
| Rail infrastructure | £32,000-£45,000 | Network Rail contracts |
Self-Employed and Agency Welding Rates
Many welders work through agencies or as self-employed contractors, particularly on project or shutdown work.
Agency Rates
| Skill Level | Hourly Rate | Equivalent Annual |
|---|---|---|
| General MIG welder | £12-£16 | £25,000-£33,000 |
| TIG welder | £14-£22 | £29,000-£46,000 |
| Coded welder | £18-£28 | £37,000-£58,000 |
| Pipe welder | £22-£35 | £46,000-£73,000 |
Shutdown and Project Work
Industrial shutdowns (planned maintenance periods at refineries, power stations, chemical plants) offer premium rates for welders.
- Shutdown day rate: £200-£400
- Duration: Typically 2-6 weeks
- Working pattern: Often 10-12 hour days, 6-7 days a week
- Annual potential: Several shutdowns per year can earn £50,000-£80,000+
Regional Pay Differences
| Region | General Welder | Coded Welder |
|---|---|---|
| London / South East | £28,000-£36,000 | £38,000-£52,000 |
| Midlands | £25,000-£32,000 | £34,000-£48,000 |
| North West | £24,000-£30,000 | £33,000-£46,000 |
| North East | £23,000-£30,000 | £32,000-£48,000 |
| Scotland | £24,000-£32,000 | £35,000-£55,000 |
| Wales | £23,000-£29,000 | £32,000-£45,000 |
Scotland’s rates for coded welders are boosted by the oil and gas sector and nuclear decommissioning projects.
Take-Home Pay Examples
| Annual Salary | Monthly Take-Home | With Student Loan |
|---|---|---|
| £26,000 | ~£1,773 | ~£1,751 |
| £32,000 | ~£2,120 | ~£2,078 |
| £40,000 | ~£2,545 | ~£2,492 |
| £55,000 | ~£3,362 | ~£3,283 |
Career Progression
| Stage | Timeline | Earning Range |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / college | 2-3 years | £14,000-£18,000 |
| Qualified general welder | Year 1-3 | £22,000-£30,000 |
| Experienced multi-process | Year 3-5 | £28,000-£36,000 |
| Coded welder | Year 3+ | £35,000-£55,000 |
| Welding inspector (CSWIP 3.1) | Year 5+ | £40,000-£60,000 |
| Welding engineer / supervisor | Year 7+ | £45,000-£65,000 |
Welding Inspection
Experienced welders can move into welding inspection, which is less physically demanding and often better paid.
- CSWIP 3.1 (Welding Inspector): £40,000-£55,000
- CSWIP 3.2 (Senior Inspector): £50,000-£70,000
- Contract rates: £250-£400/day
Is Welding a Good Career?
Pros:
- Strong demand across multiple sectors
- Coded welders are in short supply
- Relatively quick route to good earnings (3-5 years)
- Diverse career options — factory, site, offshore
- Good potential for self-employment and contract work
Cons:
- Physically demanding — heat, fumes, cramped positions
- Health risks without proper PPE (fume exposure, UV, noise)
- Entry-level general welding pay is modest
- Some sectors are location-dependent (oil and gas in Scotland/Humber)