Salary guide, May 2025
Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010.
Also searched as: Certified Welder, Pressure Vessel Welder, Boiler Welder. These titles share this page because BLS reports them under one occupation.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $54,590 | $47,870 to $62,630 | 3,510 | 0.46 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $49,930 | $46,670 to $60,310 | 2,520 | 0.65 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $50,200 | $45,940 to $59,630 | 2,020 | 0.53 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $56,940 | $47,190 to $60,980 | 1,090 | 0.55 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,630 | $46,180 to $62,670 | 10,620 | 0.98 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $52,650 | $46,270 to $61,750 | 9,320 | 0.77 |
Rank every metro for Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel)
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Chemical Manufacturing$76,240
- Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)$76,240
- Dairy Product Manufacturing$72,840
- Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only)$68,800
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$68,120
- Other Food Manufacturing$67,610
- Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing$67,540
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing$65,520
- Food Manufacturing$64,980
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$64,140
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$63,360
- Animal Slaughtering and Processing$63,360
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$63,100
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 274,710 | $46,560 | $51,210 | $60,920 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 112,520 | $46,470 | $50,870 | $60,450 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 70,020 | $46,540 | $50,640 | $60,410 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 63,880 | $47,530 | $53,660 | $61,020 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 63,500 | $46,560 | $51,100 | $61,980 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 56,750 | $47,520 | $53,680 | $61,000 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 25,910 | $46,290 | $50,870 | $59,990 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 22,560 | $46,190 | $49,340 | $56,790 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 15,760 | $46,570 | $52,280 | $61,120 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 14,960 | $46,790 | $52,240 | $61,110 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 14,470 | $40,180 | $47,300 | $54,890 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 14,370 | $50,580 | $62,470 | $66,960 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 7,520 | $44,640 | $50,700 | $61,010 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 5,830 | $46,700 | $51,580 | $59,810 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 4,840 | $39,080 | $47,400 | $59,210 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,330 | $46,070 | $49,890 | $57,980 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 4,160 | $54,690 | $64,140 | $78,700 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 3,480 | $41,670 | $47,860 | $51,660 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3,340 | $41,670 | $47,700 | $51,390 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3,270 | $45,400 | $49,310 | $58,060 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3,090 | $47,940 | $54,490 | $62,110 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 3,080 | $47,480 | $55,820 | $62,050 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 3,010 | $47,220 | $51,270 | $60,120 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 2,970 | $52,320 | $63,360 | $78,150 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 2,920 | $42,520 | $46,430 | $58,760 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 2,680 | $37,310 | $49,280 | $62,250 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 2,310 | $45,990 | $55,640 | $62,300 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 2,280 | $49,210 | $52,950 | $62,490 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 2,160 | $46,460 | $53,740 | $61,630 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 2,060 | $71,790 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 1,970 | $72,890 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 1,930 | $37,780 | $43,000 | $48,010 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 1,700 | $49,380 | $55,820 | $64,360 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 1,610 | $39,840 | $45,920 | $57,150 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,250 | $45,460 | $51,000 | $56,380 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 1,150 | $48,000 | $48,560 | $54,190 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1,130 | $38,900 | $44,430 | $53,300 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 1,050 | $49,890 | $49,890 | $57,760 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 1,030 | $47,710 | $57,730 | $63,340 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 830 | $43,830 | $49,700 | $58,530 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 790 | $43,970 | $53,730 | $62,670 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 760 | $59,620 | $64,980 | $70,660 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 640 | $37,790 | $46,370 | $55,860 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 630 | $38,110 | $46,680 | $55,990 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 550 | $44,500 | $49,970 | $57,750 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 480 | $43,680 | $49,190 | $59,020 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 450 | $45,080 | $49,610 | $57,750 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 410 | $60,560 | $65,520 | $69,910 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 400 | $46,640 | $50,160 | $63,460 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $43,990 | $49,050 | $55,480 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $42,640 | $46,390 | $57,370 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 340 | $46,420 | $51,630 | $62,980 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 140 | $47,680 | $49,230 | $57,200 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 130 | $47,690 | $68,120 | $85,580 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 130 | $37,840 | $42,320 | $45,960 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 120 | $37,050 | $38,490 | $46,430 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 90 | $59,860 | $63,360 | $69,070 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 70 | $52,760 | $63,100 | $72,030 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 70 | $50,160 | $68,800 | $71,520 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 60 | $47,010 | $54,020 | $65,790 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 50 | $67,840 | $72,840 | $76,900 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 50 | $59,800 | $61,400 | $62,580 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 40 | $40,490 | $45,260 | $51,590 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 30 | $52,980 | $67,610 | $83,540 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 30 | $61,750 | $67,540 | $78,980 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel), write the straight-time rate separately from shift coverage and extra hours. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $45,580 | $51,000 | $61,610 |
| May 2025 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
What should you know about supervisory and worker occupations?
BLS publishes these as separate occupations. Pay for one is not a pay step for the other.
- Supervisor occupation: Production Supervisor pay (SOC 51-1011)
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about red flags, shift and commute?
Watch for stories that cannot be tied to a code or a record. We also confirm shift, commute and willingness to relocate, since code welders are scarce and often tied to union halls or local shops. We ask about current pay and what a move would require.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel)?
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $39,240. 90% earned less than $77,530.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) at a plant?
The Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
Production Welder (MIG) pay TIG Welder pay Robotic Welding Technician pay Press Brake Operator pay Die Setter (Stamping) pay Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
Code Welders specializing in ASME pressure vessel work are vital for high-compliance manufacturing environments. These welders are measured under the broader SOC 51-4121. The national median for this occupation is $53,750, with a year-over-year increase of $2,750 from the previous $51,000 baseline. The middle band width sits at $16,220, which is the range between the P25 and P75 percentiles.
Manufacturing Headhunters notes that these figures do not encompass the premiums often paid for specialized ASME certifications.
Regional variations are evident in the provided data. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands shows a median salary of $57,940 and a location quotient of 1.8. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington has a median of $51,630 with a location quotient of 0.98. These figures highlight the localized demand for skilled welders in distinct industrial clusters. The BLS data combines all types of welding into one code, meaning these figures represent the full spectrum of the occupation in those areas.
National industry rows indicate how specific manufacturing sectors reward welding work. The Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing industry reports a median of $99,570. Chemical Manufacturing shows a median of $76,240. These national figures clearly exceed the general occupational median, reflecting the technical demand in these specific sectors. Note that these industry figures are national and should not be used as local market estimators. The BLS maintains these categories, but it does not account for shift differentials or specific welder certifications in the reported median salaries.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the median change based on a full year?
The median change represents the difference between the May 2024 and May 2025 BLS reports. It shows the growth in the median salary over that period.
Does the BLS separate ASME certified welders?
No, the BLS does not differentiate welders by their certifications. All welders are grouped together under one occupation code.
Are these figures for specific employers?
No, the data is aggregated across all manufacturers. It does not represent any specific company's pay structure.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4