Welder in Arlington, TX

As a career analyst who’s spent years mapping out professional paths in the DFW metroplex, I’ve watched Arlington’s job market evolve. It’s not the flashiest city in Texas, but for skilled trades like welding, it’s a pragmatic, stable place to build a career. This guide cuts through the noise with a local’s perspective—no fluff, just the data and on-the-ground realities you need to decide if Arlington is your next move.

The Salary Picture: Where Arlington Stands

Arlington’s welding salaries sit right in the Goldilocks zone for Texas: not as high as the oil hubs in Houston, but significantly more stable and with a lower cost of living. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the broader Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro is our anchor here.

Median Salary: $50,080/year
Hourly Rate: $24.08/hour
National Average: $49,590/year
Jobs in Metro: 796
10-Year Job Growth: 2%

This 2% growth is key—it’s modest, indicating a stable, mature market rather than a boom-or-bust cycle. You’re looking at consistent demand from the city’s manufacturing, transportation, and construction sectors, not wild swings.

Experience-Level Breakdown

While the median is a solid benchmark, your actual earnings will depend heavily on specialization and experience. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Arlington market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Annual Salary Range	Key Arlington Employers
Entry-Level	0-2	$38,000 - $45,000	Local fab shops, smaller contractors, entry roles at major plants
Mid-Level	2-7	$45,000 - $58,000	Most production roles, general construction welding, maintenance
Senior	7-15	$58,000 - $70,000+	Lead welder, pressure vessel, specialty fabrication, aerospace support
Expert	15+	$70,000 - $85,000+	Certified inspector, welding engineer, union leadership, niche certifications

Comparison to Other Texas Cities

Arlington’s position is clear when stacked against its larger Texas neighbors. It offers a compelling balance of pay and affordability.

City	Median Salary	Avg. 1BR Rent	Cost of Living Index	The Bottom Line
Arlington	$50,080	$1,384	103.3	Best balance of pay & affordability for welders.
Dallas	$52,000	$1,750	108.9	Higher pay, but significantly higher rent/costs.
Houston	$54,500	$1,450	107.5	Highest pay, tied to energy sector volatility.
San Antonio	$48,000	$1,250	99.8	Lower pay, lower cost of living.

Insider Tip: Arlington’s proximity to DFW Airport and both Dallas and Fort Worth means you can tap into higher-paying jobs in those cities without necessarily paying their premium rents. Many welders live in Arlington and commute to Irving (for aeronautics) or Fort Worth (for energy equipment).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your monthly budget. Your take-home pay is roughly 70-75% of your gross after federal, state (TX has no income tax), and FICA taxes. On a median salary of $50,080, you’re looking at about $3,000 - $3,200 per month in net income.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Based on $50,080 Salary)

This is a realistic scenario for a single person living in Arlington.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Net Income (after taxes)	~$3,100	This is your starting point.
Rent (1BR)	$1,384	The city average. You can find older apartments for $1,200 or newer ones for $1,600+.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)	$150	Varies by season; summers are expensive due to A/C.
Car Payment & Insurance	$400 - $600	Arlington is car-dependent. A reliable used truck is common for welders.
Gas/Commuting	$150	Depends on your commute; DFW area distances add up.
Groceries & Essentials	$400	Based on USDA mid-range cost for a single adult.
Health Insurance (if not employer-sponsored)	$250	A significant variable; many union or large employers offer good plans.
Miscellaneous/Entertainment	$200	Eating out, streaming, hobbies.
Total Estimated Expenses	$2,934 - $3,134	This leaves a razor-thin margin or a deficit.

Can they afford to buy a home?
At the median salary, it’s tight but possible with discipline. The median home price in Arlington is around $315,000. With a 10% down payment ($31,500), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would be roughly $1,800-$2,000/month (including taxes and insurance). This would consume over 60% of your net income, which is not advisable. Homeownership becomes more realistic at the mid-to-senior level ($58,000+) or with a dual-income household. Insider Tip: Look into Arlington’s “Homeownership Partnership” program, which offers down payment assistance for qualified buyers.

Where the Jobs Are: Arlington's Major Employers

Arlington’s economy is anchored by a mix of transportation, entertainment, and light manufacturing. Welding jobs are less concentrated than in a pure industrial city but are embedded in these key sectors.

1. Bell Textron Inc. (Fort Worth, adjacent to Arlington): A major employer for welders in aerospace. They work on military and commercial helicopters. Jobs are high-skill, often requiring AWS D1.1 and specific aerospace certifications. Hiring is steady but competitive; they favor experience and clean backgrounds.
2. Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth facility): Similar to Bell, this is a premier employer for precision welders working on the F-35 and other aeronautics programs. Union (UAW) presence with excellent benefits. They have stringent quality control, so certifications are a must.
3. General Motors Arlington Assembly: This is the city’s largest single employer. They build SUVs (Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, etc.). The plant employs welders in maintenance and production roles. It’s a union (UAW) shop with strong pay, benefits, and job security. Hiring is cyclical but frequent.
4. Oscar Winski Company (Fort Worth): A leading metal service center and fabrication shop. They supply and process steel for construction, transportation, and energy. Welder roles here are often in custom fabrication and structural welding. A great place to gain diverse experience.
5. Pioneer Energy Services (Fort Worth): For welders interested in the energy sector, this company provides equipment and services to oil and gas drillers. They need welders for repair, maintenance, and fabrication of energy equipment. This sector is more variable but can pay a premium.
6. City of Arlington Public Works: Municipal jobs are stable and come with great benefits. Welders here handle repair of city infrastructure—bridges, water treatment plants, and heavy equipment. These positions are posted on the city’s career site and are highly competitive.
7. Local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) & Ironworkers Unions: The best way to access high-paying, long-term project work. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has massive construction projects (new stadiums, data centers, pipelines). Union apprenticeships offer paid training, leading to journeyman wages that exceed the median. Insider Tip: Get in touch with your local union hall (e.g., IBEW Local 20 in Fort Worth) before you move. They have apprenticeship openings and can connect you to contractors.

Hiring Trends: Demand is strong for welders with certifications (AWS, ASME) and experience in MIG, TIG, and stick welding. The push for automation is real, but skilled welders for complex, custom, or repair work are irreplaceable. The 2% growth is solid but means competition exists—having a specialty (like pipe welding or aerospace) will set you apart.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not require a state-issued license to work as a welder. The primary gateway is certification, not a government license.

Key Requirements:

• Certifications: The American Welding Society (AWS) credentials are the industry standard. The most common is AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code – Steel). Many employers require this before you even start. For pipe welding, ASME Section IX is critical.
• Education/Training: A certificate from a community college (like Tarrant County College or North Lake College) or a trade school is highly recommended. These programs prepare you for certification exams. An associate’s degree can open doors to higher-paying roles.
• OSHA 10/30: Many employers require a basic OSHA safety certification. This is a one-day course and is a low-cost, high-value addition to your resume.

Timeline and Costs to Get Started:

• Timeline: A 6-month to 1-year certificate program is the fastest route to employability. An associate’s degree takes 2 years.
• Costs:
  • Certificate Program (Tarrant County College): ~$4,000 - $6,000 (includes materials).
  • AWS Certification Exam: ~$300 - $500.
  • OSHA 10 Course: ~$60 - $100.
• No State License Needed: Save your money and time—you don’t need to apply for a state welding license.

Insider Tip: Before investing in a full program, take a short “welding fundamentals” course at a local community college. It’s a low-cost way to confirm you enjoy the work and meet the basic skill requirements for apprenticeships.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live in Arlington affects your commute, your lifestyle, and your wallet. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods well-suited for welders.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It’s a Good Fit for Welders
East Arlington (SE Arlington)	Older, established, blue-collar. Close to GM plant & Bell/Lockheed.	$1,100 - $1,300	Shortest commute to major employers. More affordable. Family-friendly with parks.
North Arlington (Around 20th St)	Mixed, older homes, close to downtown & entertainment district.	$1,250 - $1,500	Good central location. Easy access to I-30, making commutes to Fort Worth or Dallas manageable.
South Arlington (Around Collins/Cooper)	Suburban, newer developments, good schools.	$1,350 - $1,600	A bit further from industrial hubs, but offers a quieter, family-oriented lifestyle. Commute is longer.
The Dalworthington Gardens/Downtown	Historic, smaller homes, very walkable.	$1,400 - $1,700	Premium for charm and location. Not ideal for a welder’s workshop space or truck parking, but great for lifestyle.

Insider Tip: If you’re a union member or plan to travel for projects, consider living in the East Arlington or military corridor areas. Your commute to job sites in Fort Worth’s energy sector or Dallas’s construction projects is straightforward via I-30 or I-20.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Welding isn’t a dead-end job; it’s a foundation for a career. In Arlington, your path to higher earnings is through specialization and credentials.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Pipe Welding (ASME IX): The gold standard. Can push your salary to $65,000 - $75,000+ in the energy and construction sectors.
  • Aerospace Welding: Requires extreme precision and certifications. High-paying roles at Bell and Lockheed Martin can reach $70,000 - $85,000.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): An AWS certification that moves you from laborer to quality control. Often a path to a desk job with a salary of $65,000 - $90,000. This is the most common career advancement.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Journeyman Welder -> Lead Welder/Foreman: Gain 5-10 years of experience, get additional certifications, and show leadership skill.
  2. Welder -> Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): Requires passing a rigorous exam. This is a major career pivot with higher pay and less physical strain.
  3. Welder -> Welding Engineer: Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering but offers the highest salary ceiling. Many companies (like GM) offer tuition assistance for this path.

• 10-Year Outlook (2% Growth): The growth is slow, but the demand is constant. The key is that the workforce is aging. Experienced, certified welders are retiring, creating openings. The outlook is best for those who adapt to new technologies (like robotic welding programming) while maintaining core manual skills. The DFW metro’s continued population growth ensures steady construction and maintenance work.

The Verdict: Is Arlington Right for You?

Arlington is a practical choice for welders seeking stability over volatility. It’s a “workhorse” city with solid opportunities, but it has trade-offs.

Pros	Cons
Stable job market with major employers like GM, Bell, and Lockheed.	2% growth is modest—not a boomtown for rapid advancement.
No state income tax keeps your take-home pay higher.	Car-dependent. You will need a reliable vehicle for work and daily life.
Affordable cost of living compared to Dallas or Austin.	Limited public transit makes long commutes a hassle.
Central DFW location for accessing higher-paying jobs in other cities.	Salary ceiling is lower than in Houston’s energy sector.
Strong union presence (UAW, IBEW) with good benefits.	Summers are brutally hot, which can be challenging for outdoor welding.

Final Recommendation:
Arlington is an excellent choice for a mid-career welder with 2-7 years of experience and some certifications. It offers the trifecta: stable employment, affordable living, and a pathway to specialization. It’s less ideal for a fresh apprentice (who might find better training programs in Fort Worth) or a top-tier expert seeking an oil-field salary (which Houston offers). If you value a steady paycheck, a predictable commute, and a balance between work and life, Arlington is a smart, data-driven move.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to be certified to get a welder job in Arlington?
A: While not legally required, most employers (especially GM, Bell, Lockheed) will not hire you without AWS D1.1 certification. It’s the de facto requirement for any job paying above the entry-level.

Q: How long will it take to find a job after moving to Arlington?
A: With certifications and some experience, you can typically find a job within 1-3 months. The market is competitive but active. Use local resources like the Tarrant County Job Board and network with union halls.

Q: Is the cost of living really 103.3? What does that mean?
A: Yes, per the Council for Community and Economic Research. It means Arlington is 3.3% more expensive than the U.S. average. However, it’s significantly cheaper than Dallas (108.9) or Austin (115). Your biggest expense will be rent and a car.

Q: Are there apprenticeship programs for welders in Arlington?
A: Yes. The best are through the local unions (IBEW, Ironworkers) or the Texas Workforce Commission. Tarrant County College also has a certificate program that functions as a pre-apprenticeship. Contact the union halls directly for current openings.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for welders in Arlington?
A: The summer heat. From June to September, temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Outdoor welding becomes punishing. Most employers have mitigation (shade, frequent breaks), but it’s a major lifestyle factor to consider. Indoor fabrication or plant maintenance roles are more comfortable year-round.