Welder vs Plumber
The real question with Welder vs Plumber isn't which trade is 'better' — it's which market is hotter in your state and which licensing burden you're willing to carry.
Plumbers earn more — a $63,800 national median vs $53,750 for welders, a $10,050/yr gap.
What the day actually looks like
A welder's day is often focused on a single process, like fusing metal parts for structures or pipes, frequently in a fabrication shop or on a large construction site. They follow blueprints and may report to a foreman or shop supervisor. A plumber's work is more varied, involving installation, diagnostics, and repair of water, drainage, and gas systems in residential or commercial settings. Their shift involves more customer interaction and moving between different job sites.
Where each role is actually hiring
Welders are in high demand in manufacturing, energy sectors (oil, gas, renewables), and for large-scale infrastructure projects like bridges. Hiring is strong in industrial and manufacturing hubs. Plumbers see consistent demand nationwide, especially in growing residential and commercial construction markets. States with aging infrastructure and new data center construction, such as those in the Midwest and Sun Belt, show particularly strong demand for plumbers.
If you start as a Welder today
Transitioning from welding to plumbing is a structured path, but not a direct ladder. A welding background is valuable, especially for pipefitting, but becoming a licensed plumber requires a separate 4-to-5-year apprenticeship focused on codes, system design, and varied materials. Welding skills may satisfy certain course requirements within a plumbing or pipefitting apprenticeship, but a full apprenticeship is generally required to gain the necessary licenses to work independently as a plumber.
Sources cited (15)
payments Salary
Who earns more?
Plumbers earn $10,050 more per year at the median. That's roughly $838/month before taxes — a gap that compounds over a career but needs to be weighed against any difference in training time or upfront costs.
State-by-state pay
| State | Welder | Plumber | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,840 | $93,920 | -13,080 |
| District of Columbia | $60,180 | $101,020 | -40,840 |
| Hawaii | $79,000 | $78,060 | +940 |
| Oregon | $59,450 | $97,050 | -37,600 |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 | $93,880 | -31,310 |
| Minnesota | $60,280 | $94,410 | -34,130 |
| Illinois | $51,320 | $99,950 | -48,630 |
| Washington | $63,020 | $81,030 | -18,010 |
| Connecticut | $64,880 | $77,280 | -12,400 |
| Wisconsin | $58,410 | $81,210 | -22,800 |
checklist Requirements at a glance
| Factor | Welder | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Typical time | 1-5 years | 4 years |
| Est. total cost | $50 | $250 |
| Exam | AWS Welding Certification Test | Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Exam & Law and Business Management Exam |
| License required | Some states | Many states |
| Education | High school diploma or GED recommended; formal welding training program often preferred by employers. | High school diploma or GED |
| CE hours / cycle | 80 hrs | 9 hrs |
Barrier to entry
Timeline differs: Welder typically takes 1-5 years, while Plumber takes 4 years. Upfront costs are in a similar range for both paths. Plumber licensing is more universal — required in 86% of states versus 16% for Welder.
trending_up Job market
Market outlook
Growth projections are similar — Welder at +2.2% and Plumber at +4.5%.
flag Bottom line
Plumber pays $10,050/year more at the national median. Over a 10-year career, that's roughly $100,500 in gross earnings — though Plumber may require more training upfront.
If cash flow during training is a real constraint, Welder is the cleaner entry. The upfront cost difference is real (~$50 vs. more for the alternative), and the pay-back curve on the pricier path needs the state wage data to evaluate.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes more, welder or plumber? expand_more
Is it harder to become a welder or a plumber? expand_more
How hard is it to switch between welder and plumber? expand_more
Which has better job prospects, welder or plumber? expand_more
Is licensing required for welders and plumbers? expand_more
Explore each career
Moving states? Check license reciprocity
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source Sources
- Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), most recent annual release.
- Career outlook and annual openings: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Licensing requirements: compiled per-state from primary state licensing boards; per-state sources are cited on each Welder and Plumber state page.
See our full methodology for data refresh schedule and known limitations. Updated 2026.