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How much do AWS certified welders make?
Think welding doesn't pay? Think again.
AWS-certified welders can earn from $45,000 to over $120,000 per year, depending on experience, specialty, and job location—with elite certifications pushing earnings even higher.
Let’s break down what certification pays the most, and how to reach top-tier welding salaries.
What welding certificate makes the most money?
The more pressure, the more pay.
The most lucrative welding certifications are the AWS 6G pipe weld certification and the AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential.
We worked with a contractor on a cross-country gas pipeline project—every welder was 6G-certified and cleared for X-ray inspection. They were making over $100,000 per year, plus travel pay and per diem.
Top-Paying Welding Certs
| Certification | Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AWS 6G Pipe Welding | All-position pipe welder | $80,000–$120,000 |
| AWS CWI (Inspector) | Welding inspection & QA | $70,000–$130,000 |
| Underwater Welding | Deep-sea structural repair | $100,000–$300,000+ |
| Nuclear Code Welding | Power plant welding | $90,000–$140,000 |
Prime offers materials and test kits designed for 6G and CWI preparation, trusted by welders pursuing career-advancing qualifications.
How much money can you make with AWS certification?
The value is real—and it scales with experience.
Entry-level AWS-certified welders typically earn $45,000–$60,000 per year. With specialization and fieldwork, that can increase to over $100,000 annually.
A Prime client in Canada hired AWS-certified welders for pressure vessels. Their starting pay was $32/hour—plus overtime, per diem, and benefits. That’s over $85,000 a year.
AWS Certification vs. Pay Potential
| AWS Certification | Average Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Basic SMAW (Stick) | $45,000–$60,000 |
| Structural D1.1 | $60,000–$80,000 |
| 6G/6GR Pipe | $80,000–$120,000 |
| CWI (Inspector) | $70,000–$130,000 |
Prime supports AWS-certified welders with WPS documents, practice kits, and alloy-specific rods for code jobs.
Do welders make 300k a year?
Yes—but it’s rare, specialized, and high-risk.
Welders can make $300,000 or more per year in jobs like underwater welding, remote oil rigs, shutdown/turnaround work, or high-level nuclear facility welding.
We’ve supplied gear for shutdown welders on refinery outages—they worked 84-hour weeks for 4–6 weeks, earning six figures in less than two months.
High-Paying Welding Job Types
| Job Type | Top Annual Potential |
|---|---|
| Underwater welder | $200,000–$300,000+ |
| Shutdown/outage work | $120,000–$250,000 |
| Remote oil rigs | $150,000–$280,000 |
| Defense/nuclear welding | $130,000–$200,000 |
Prime helps equip welders in these jobs with extreme-condition consumables—vacuum-packed, tested, and certified for mission-critical work.
What is the highest paying welding?
Specialization = six figures.
Underwater welding is widely considered the highest-paying welding job—due to risk, skill level, and remote project demands. But 6G pipe welders and AWS inspectors also earn top-tier incomes.
A U.S. Navy subcontractor we worked with deployed divers to weld offshore structures. Daily hazard pay and deep-sea premiums made their take-home salaries exceed $250,000.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Welding Careers
| Role | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Underwater Welder | $150,000–$300,000+ |
| 6G Certified Pipe Welder | $80,000–$120,000 |
| AWS Welding Inspector | $70,000–$130,000 |
| Nuclear/Defense Welder | $90,000–$200,000 |
| Shutdown Specialist | $120,000–$250,000 |
At Prime, we supply code-qualified welding rods and field-ready kits for elite-level jobs—supporting welders around the world.
Conclusion
AWS certification opens doors to high-paying welding jobs—especially with 6G or inspection credentials. Top welders can reach $300K in specialized, high-risk roles.
Want help preparing for certification or selecting the right AWS-qualified consumables? Contact Prime today through our website. We provide ISO-certified rods, WPS support, and global delivery—trusted by welders aiming to reach the top of their trade.
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