According to statistics, there are over 402,000 welders currently working in the United States. A portion of these welders are members of a union. These union welders collectively negotiate for higher pay from their employers. Are you curious about how much do union welders make? Read this guide that talks about the earning potential in all angles. Welding insurance policies that boost income are also discussed.
A union welder is a specialized trade person who can join different steel objects together and is part of an organization called a union. A union welder often makes repairs to complicated machinery and helps with the construction of steel frames used for construction.
Usually, a union welder gains the necessary experience and certification to become a welder before joining a union. Welders typically acquire a welding certification from the Ironworkers and American Welding Society. After acquiring this prerequisite certification, you can submit an application that will allow you to join a union and start receiving work. Not every union will have the same requirements, so if you are just starting out, don’t fret. Do your research to find out what experience and certification requirements unions in your area have if you don’t have a lot of experience.
One advantage of being a union welder is that you will tend to earn more than welders who go out on their own. This is because welders who join a union have stronger leverage and negotiating power with companies who request their work. A downside of working as a union welder is that your membership will have fees you must pay. As a union member, you are responsible for paying union fees and dues, which need to be paid periodically to maintain your membership. Another downside is that you may be forced to take jobs you don’t want to do since you have to coordinate all of your work through the union. Non-union welders possess greater freedom to find work.
A union welders salary in the United States will equal around $44,508 annually on average. Union welders at the 25th percentile make $38,000, and those at the 75th percentile earn $50,000. Salaries outside this range are considered outliers. Top earners are union welders at the 90th percentile, who make $56,000 a year. The chart below compares the percentage of workers in each salary bracket:
| Annual Salary Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $39,000-$41,999 | 16% |
| $36,000-$38,999 | 14% |
| $42,000-$44,999 | 14% |
| $45,000-$47,999 | 11% |
| $33,000-$35,999 | 9% |
| $48,000-$50,999 | 9% |
| $51,000-$53,999 | 7% |
| $54,000-$56,999 | 6% |
| $30,000-$32,999 | 3% |
| $57,000-$60,000 | 3% |
| $27,000-$29,999 | 1% |
When planning to become a union welder, part of your journey will be figuring out how much do welders make in the union monthly. You will earn $3,709 monthly as a union welder on average. The top union welder earners will make $4,666. However, the typical salary range for union welders will be between $3,166 and $4,166 monthly.
| Monthly Salary Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $4,750-$5,000 | 3% |
| $4,500-$4,750 | 6% |
| $4,250-$4,500 | 7% |
| $4,000-$4,250 | 9% |
| $3,750-$4,000 | 11% |
| $3,500-$3,750 | 14% |
| $3,250-$3,500 | 16% |
| $3,000-$3,250 | 14% |
| $2,750-$3,000 | 9% |
| $2,500-$2,750 | 3% |
| $2,250-$2,500 | 1% |
As a union welder, you can expect to earn an average bi-weekly wage of $1,710. If you are on the lower side of earners at the 25th percentile, your bi-weekly wage will be around $1,460. Union workers at the 75th percentile make around $1,922. The top-earning union workers will make around $2,152 bi-weekly.
| Weekly Wage Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $2,192-$2,308 | 3% |
| $2,076-$2,192 | 6% |
| $1,962-$2,076 | 7% |
| $1,846-$1,962 | 9% |
| $1,730-$1,846 | 11% |
| $1,616-$1,730 | 14% |
| $1,500-$1,616 | 16% |
| $1,384-$1,500 | 14% |
| $1,270-$1,384 | 9% |
| $1,154-$1,270 | 3% |
| $1,038-$1,154 | 1% |
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You can expect to earn $855 weekly as a union welder. The amount you make will depend on your location, experience level, and other factors. Union welders in the 25th percentile make $730; if you are in the 75th percentile, you will make $961 weekly. If you earn at the 90th percentile, your weekly wage will be $1,076.
| Weekly Wage Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $981-$1,038 | 7% |
| $923-$981 | 9% |
| $865-$923 | 11% |
| $808-$865 | 14% |
| $750-$808 | 16% |
| $692-$750 | 14% |
| $635-$692 | 9% |
| $577-$635 | 3% |
| $519-$577 | 1% |
| $1,096-$1,154 | 3% |
| $1,038-$1,096 | 6% |
Your business as a union welder will make you an average daily wage of $171, assuming a 5-day work week. The typical daily wage for union welders is between $146 and $192. If you are a top earner at the 90th percentile of union welders, you will earn $215 daily.
| Daily Wage Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $219-$231 | 3% |
| $208-$219 | 6% |
| $196-$208 | 7% |
| $185-$196 | 9% |
| $173-$185 | 11% |
| $162-$173 | 14% |
| $150-$162 | 16% |
| $138-$150 | 14% |
| $127-$138 | 9% |
| $115-$127 | 3% |
| $104-$115 | 1% |
Are you wondering how much do union welders make an hour? The average hourly rate of a union welder is approximately $21. If you earn at the 25th percentile, you will make $18.27. The hourly rate that union welders are paid at the 75th percentile is $24.04. As a union welder at the 90th income percentile, you will earn an hourly rate of $26.92.
| Hourly Rate Range | Percent of Union Welders |
|---|---|
| $27.40-$28.85 | 3% |
| $25.96-$27.40 | 6% |
| $24.52-$25.96 | 7% |
| $23.08-$24.52 | 9% |
| $21.63-$23.08 | 11% |
| $20.19-$21.63 | 14% |
| $18.75-$20.19 | 16% |
| $17.31-$18.75 | 14% |
| $15.86-$17.31 | 9% |
| $14.42-$15.86 | 3% |
| $12.98-$14.42 | 1% |
The highest-earning state for union welders is New York. In New York, you earn an average annual salary of $54,362 as a union welder. You can expect to make $1,045 weekly and $26.14 hourly as a union welder in New York. New York stands above the other states by quite a bit. In the next closest state, New Jersey, the average annual salary is only $46,970. This is an over 15% decrease from New York to New Jersey.
| State | Average Annual Salary | Average Weekly Wage | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $54,362 | $1,045 | $26.14 |
| New Jersey | $46,970 | $903 | $22.58 |
| Wisconsin | $46,671 | $897 | $22.44 |
| Nevada | $46,276 | $899 | $22.25 |
| Wyoming | $46,269 | $889 | $22.24 |
| Massachusetts | $46,192 | $888 | $22.21 |
| Indiana | $45,648 | $877 | $21.95 |
| Arizona | $45,633 | $877 | $21.94 |
| New Hampshire | $45,604 | $877 | $21.93 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,466 | $874 | $21.86 |
| Oregon | $45,282 | $870 | $21.77 |
| Minnesota | $44,991 | $865 | $21.63 |
| Washington | $44,959 | $864 | $21.62 |
| Georgia | $44,848 | $862 | $21.57 |
| Hawaii | $44,678 | $859 | $21.48 |
| Montana | $43,780 | $841 | $21.05 |
| Alaska | $43,768 | $841 | $21.04 |
| Iowa | $43,232 | $831 | $20.79 |
| Rhode Island | $42,771 | $822 | $20.56 |
| South Dakota | $42,674 | $820 | $20.52 |
| North Dakota | $42,641 | $820 | $20.50 |
| Connecticut | $42,630 | $819 | $20.50 |
| New Mexico | $42,279 | $813 | $20.33 |
| California | $41,986 | $807 | $20.19 |
| Ohio | $41,912 | $806 | $20.15 |
| Tennessee | $41,024 | $788 | $19.72 |
| Illinois | $40,934 | $787 | $19.68 |
| Utah | $40,895 | $786 | $19.66 |
| Vermont | $40,198 | $773 | $19.33 |
| Virginia | $40,116 | $771 | $19.29 |
| Maryland | $40,084 | $770 | $19.27 |
| Mississippi | $39,518 | $759 | $19.00 |
| Delaware | $39,504 | $759 | $18.99 |
| Colorado | $39,404 | $757 | $18.94 |
| West Virginia | $39,177 | $753 | $18,84 |
| Alabama | $38,564 | $741 | $18.54 |
| Florida | $38,522 | $740 | $18.52 |
| Maine | $38,441 | $739 | $18.48 |
| Oklahoma | $38,113 | $732 | $18.32 |
| South Carolina | $38,007 | $730 | $18.27 |
| Kansas | $37,985 | $730 | $18.26 |
| Michigan | $37,693 | $724 | $18.12 |
| Louisiana | $37,513 | $721 | $18.04 |
| Missouri | $37,435 | $719 | $18.00 |
| Texas | $37,227 | $715 | $17.90 |
| Nebraska | $36,351 | $699 | $17.48 |
| Idaho | $36,134 | $694 | $17.37 |
| Kentucky | $35,022 | $673 | $16.84 |
| North Carolina | $34,701 | $2,891 | $16.68 |
| Arkansas | $34,416 | $661 | $16.55 |
Your business's location is an essential factor to consider when figuring out what you can expect to earn as a union welder. The highest-paying city in the United States for union wedlers is San Jose, California. In San Jose, you will earn an average annual salary of $56,835 and work at an hourly rate of $27.28.
| City | Average Annual Salary | Average Weekly Wage | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $56,735 | $1,091 | $27.28 |
| Oakland, California | $55,958 | $1,076 | $26.90 |
| Antioch, California | $54,834 | $1,054 | $26.36 |
| Lebanon, New Hampshire | $54,531 | $1,048 | $26.22 |
| New York, New York | $54,362 | $1,045 | $26.14 |
| Hayward, California | $54,189 | $1,042 | $26.05 |
| Vallejo, California | $54,157 | $1,041 | $26.04 |
| Seattle, Washington | $54,115 | $1,040 | $26.02 |
| Staten Island, New York | $53,876 | $1,036 | $25.90 |
| Santa Cruz, California | $53,286 | $1,024 | $25.62 |
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In the world of welding, where metal fusion shapes structures and precision reigns supreme, union welders hold the torch to building a robust future. Running a successful welding business involves more than just sparks and steel—it's about preserving your business's strength and safeguarding against unexpected challenges. A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) tailored for union welders acts as the essential welding rod, reinforcing your business's stability. Let's delve into the unique benefits of a BOP customized for your union welding enterprise.
A BOP designed for union welders offers a comprehensive shield that covers various facets of risk:
General Liability Insurance: Just as you weld metals together with precision, this component of a BOP adds finesse to your business by safeguarding it from third-party claims. It covers bodily injury, property damage, and even advertising injury claims. Imagine a scenario where an onlooker gets injured at a welding site. With general liability insurance, you're financially protected, and it also covers legal expenses if someone decides to sue you for welding-related incidents.
Business Property Insurance: Your welding equipment, machinery, and tools are the essential elements of your trade. This insurance, like a protective metal casing, shields your vital assets from unexpected events like theft, fire, or equipment breakdown. It ensures your business continues to weld with strength even when faced with challenging conditions, allowing you to keep forging success.
Business Interruption Insurance: Consider it the welding mask that shields your livelihood. When unforeseen disruptions, such as equipment malfunctions or workshop damage, threaten to interrupt your welding operations, this coverage ensures you're financially secure. It covers ongoing expenses and maintains your income stream, even during challenging welds.
A BOP for union welders offers several unique advantages:
Customized Coverage: It's like adjusting the welding parameters to the specific metal you're working with. A BOP is tailored to address the distinct risks faced by union welders, providing a comprehensive protection mix that covers accidents, property protection, and business continuity.
Cost-Efficiency: Much like optimizing your welding techniques for efficiency, BOPs are structured to offer excellent value. They often result in lower premiums compared to purchasing individual policies, allowing you to manage your budget efficiently while ensuring robust coverage.
Simplified Management: With a single policy covering multiple facets of risk, you simplify the administrative complexities of your welding business. Focus more on welding quality structures and less on navigating intricate insurance arrangements.
Confidence in Your Welds: Knowing you have a solid protection plan in place allows you to approach your welding projects with confidence, free from concerns about unforeseen setbacks. You can concentrate on your welding craft, knowing that your business is well-guarded against potential risks.
Just as union welders fuse metals to create lasting structures, a tailored Business Owner's Policy (BOP) for union welders fortifies your welding business to thrive and endure. Collaborate with insurance experts who specialize in welding businesses to create the perfect coverage that aligns with your unique needs and risks. As you continue welding strength and durability into your projects, your business will flourish and endure with the confidence that a BOP provides, ensuring the longevity of both your welding enterprise and the structures you help bring to life.
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
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