Welder in Dallas, TX

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Welders considering a move to Dallas, Texas.

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The Salary Picture: Where Dallas Stands

If you’re a welder looking at Dallas, the numbers are solid, if not spectacular. The median salary for a welder in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is $50,080/year. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.08/hour. It’s a hair above the national average of $49,590/year, which isn’t a huge gap, but in a city with a cost of living just slightly above the national average (103.3 vs. 100), it’s a manageable start. The metro area supports a robust 2,605 welder jobs, and the 10-year job growth forecast is 2%. That growth isn't explosive, but it's steady, indicating a stable market rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.

Here’s how earnings typically break down based on experience in the Dallas market. This data is aggregated from local job postings, industry reports, and BLS data for the metro area.

Experience Level	Typical Dallas Salary Range (Annual)	Key Factors in Dallas
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$38,000 - $45,000	Often starts in production shops, pipeline support, or structural steel. Union apprenticeships can start higher.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$48,000 - $62,000	This is where the median sits. Specialized certs (AWS D1.1, D1.5) and experience with specific processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW) boost pay.
Senior (8-15 years)	$60,000 - $78,000	Leads crews, works on complex projects (aerospace, petrochem), and often holds inspector certs. Can include overtime and per diem.
Expert/Supervisor (15+ years)	$75,000 - $95,000+	Roles like welding foreman, QC manager, or union steward. Top earners often work in specialized industries or own a small shop.

How Dallas Stacks Up to Other Texas Cities:

• Houston: Offers higher median salaries (often $55,000+) but is dominated by the oil & gas sector, which can be volatile. The cost of living in Houston is comparable.
• Austin: Has a growing tech and manufacturing scene, but welder salaries ($48,000 - $52,000 median) often don't keep pace with the city's skyrocketing housing costs.
• San Antonio: Salaries are slightly lower (median around $47,000), but the cost of living is also more affordable than Dallas.
• Fort Worth: As part of the same metro area, salaries are nearly identical to Dallas. The primary difference is the industrial location (e.g., more aerospace in Fort Worth).

Insider Tip: The $50,080 median is a good benchmark, but your real earning potential hinges on specialization. A welder certified for aerospace components at a company like Bell Flight in Fort Worth will out-earn a general production welder in a South Dallas fabrication shop. The key is to target industries, not just job titles.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. A single filer earning $50,080 annually in Texas (no state income tax) will see roughly $39,000 - $40,000 after federal taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. That’s about $3,250 - $3,330 per month in take-home pay.

The average 1-bedroom rent in Dallas is $1,500/month. That leaves you with roughly $1,750 - $1,830 for all other expenses. Let’s break down a realistic monthly budget for a single welder:

• Rent (1BR): $1,500
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $200
• Groceries: $350
• Fuel/Transportation (Car is essential): $250 (Car payment, insurance, gas)
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered): $150
• Miscellaneous (Phone, entertainment, savings): $300
• Total Expenses: $2,750

This leaves a buffer of about $500 - $580. This is manageable but tight for a single income. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for high student loan payments, car notes over $400/month, or frequent dining out.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
At the median salary, buying a home in Dallas proper is a significant stretch. The median home price in Dallas County is around $400,000. A 20% down payment is $80,000. Even with an FHA loan (3.5% down), the monthly mortgage, taxes, and insurance on a $400,000 home would likely exceed $2,800/month—more than your entire take-home pay.

Realistic Path to Homeownership: Many welders in Dallas buy homes in the suburbs or exurbs where prices are lower (e.g., $250,000 - $300,000 neighborhoods). Alternatively, dual-income households or those who advance to senior/supervisor roles ($70,000+) find homeownership feasible. Renting for the first 2-3 years while building savings and experience is the most common strategy.

Where the Jobs Are: Dallas's Major Employers

Dallas’s economy is diverse, which is good news for welders. You’re not tied to a single industry. Here are the key local employers and hiring trends:

1. Bell Flight (Fort Worth): A major aerospace manufacturer. They hire welders for component fabrication and assembly. Hiring Trend: Steady, focused on candidates with AWS certifications and experience in thin-gauge metals. They often partner with TCC’s welding program.
2. Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth): Another aerospace giant, primarily for the F-35 program. They need welders for structural and component work. Hiring Trend: Competitive; often requires security clearance. They prioritize prior military or defense contractor experience.
3. The Clark Construction Group (Dallas Office): A national firm with a major local footprint in large-scale commercial and infrastructure projects. Hiring Trend: High demand for structural welders (SMAW, FCAW) for steel erection. Projects often involve downtown skyscrapers and public works.
4. Gulf Stream Fabricators (Dallas): A key player in the petrochemical and industrial fabrication space. Hiring Trend: Busy with plant maintenance and new construction. They hire for both shop and field welders, often with per-diem for travel.
5. Dallas County Hospital Systems (e.g., Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern): These large medical centers have in-house facilities teams that employ welders for maintenance, repairs, and custom fabrication. Hiring Trend: Stable, long-term positions with excellent benefits. Less overtime, more predictable schedules.
6. Local Unions (e.g., Ironworkers Local 263, Pipefitters Local 572): Unions are a major source of jobs, especially for large-scale construction. Hiring Trend: Hiring is project-based. Joining the union hall is a long-term play that provides high wages, benefits, and pension plans. You’ll need to apply for apprenticeship programs.

Insider Tip: The 2% job growth is misleading for specialists. While general welding jobs grow slowly, demand for welders with certifications for structural steel (D1.1), pipe welding (ASME IX), and aerospace (D1.7) is much higher. Many of the best jobs aren’t advertised on Indeed; they’re filled through union halls or company websites.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not have a state-level license for welders. However, certifications are everything. Employers will require proof of competency, usually through the American Welding Society (AWS).

1. Get Certified: The most common entry-level cert is the AWS Certified Welder (through an accredited test facility). Cost: $300 - $500 for the test and materials. Many community colleges (like North Lake College or TCC) offer prep courses.
2. Specialize: For structural work, you’ll need AWS D1.1. For pipe, it’s ASME IX. For aerospace, it's company-specific but often under AWS D17.1.
3. Timeline: You can be job-ready with a basic AWS cert in 3-6 months if you’re dedicated. A full vocational program (like the 1-year certificate at TCC South) takes about 9-12 months but provides much broader skills and job placement connections.
4. Cost: A full certificate program at a community college can cost $4,000 - $8,000, but financial aid is often available. This is a worthwhile investment for a higher starting salary and better job security.

State Agency: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees many trades, but not welding. Your primary resource for education and certification is the American Welding Society (AWS) and local colleges.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Your commute matters. Dallas is sprawling, and traffic on I-35E, I-30, and US-75 can be brutal. Living near your job is key.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It’s Good for Welders
Irving / Las Colinas	Urban-suburban mix. Central location.	$1,450 - $1,700	Easy access to DFW Airport, Bell Flight, and downtown. Good mix of apartment complexes and older, more affordable housing.
Duncanville / DeSoto	Southern suburbs, more affordable.	$1,200 - $1,500	Proximity to industrial zones in southern Dallas County and Midlothian. Lower rent means you can save for a house faster.
Downtown / East Dallas	Urban, walkable, trendy.	$1,600 - $2,000	Best for those working at downtown construction sites or hospital systems. High cost, but you could bike/walk to work.
Hurst / Euless / Bedford (HEB)	Mid-cities, family-friendly.	$1,300 - $1,600	Close to major construction corridors and a short drive to Fort Worth aerospace jobs. Good public schools if you have a family.
Grand Prairie	Growing, industrial, and affordable.	$1,200 - $1,450	Home to major manufacturing and distribution centers. Excellent for jobs in fabrication and production, with a shorter commute.

Insider Tip: Avoid the northern suburbs (Plano, Frisco) unless you work in that specific area. The commute to southern or central industrial zones can be over an hour in traffic. Look for apartments near major highways but not directly on them to balance access and noise.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook of 2% growth means you must be proactive about advancement. Standing still means your real income will decrease with inflation.

Specialty Premiums:

• Structural Steel Welder (D1.1): +10-15% over median. High demand in commercial construction.
• Pipe Welder (ASME IX / 6G): +20-30% over median. The gold standard for oil & gas and power plants. Requires significant skill.
• Aerospace Welder (AWS D17.1): +25-35% over median. Most lucrative in Dallas, thanks to Bell and Lockheed. Requires extreme precision and often a clean background.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): +40-50% over median. This is the biggest leap. You move from hands-on work to quality control and management. Requires AWS testing and experience.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field to Shop or Vice Versa: Field welders (construction, pipelines) make more in overtime and per diem but travel constantly. Shop welders (fabrication, aerospace) have more stability and better work-life balance.
2. Welder to Supervisor/Foreman: After 5-7 years, you can lead a crew. Requires leadership skills and knowledge of codes and safety (OSHA 30).
3. The Inspector Route: Get your CWI. This can lead to roles in QA/QC, project management, or starting your own inspection firm. It’s the single best career move for long-term earning potential.

10-Year Outlook: While overall growth is slow, Dallas’s position as a hub for transportation, defense, and commercial real estate will keep demand for skilled, certified welders steady. The key will be adaptability—being able to work on different materials (steel, aluminum, titanium) and processes (robotic, manual).

The Verdict: Is Dallas Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong & Diverse Job Market: Not reliant on one industry like Houston.	Competitive Entry-Level Market: You need a cert to stand out.
No State Income Tax: Keeps your take-home pay higher.	Cost of Living Creep: Rent is rising faster than welder wages.
Huge Network of Employers & Unions: Multiple paths to good jobs.	Car Dependency: Public transit is poor; a reliable car is a must.
Path to Specialization: Access to high-paying aerospace and pipe welding jobs.	Summer Heat: Working in a shop or on a site in July-August is brutal.
Vibrant Metro Area: Good food, sports, and culture outside of work.	Traffic: Commutes can be long and stressful if you don’t live smart.

Final Recommendation:
Dallas is a very good choice for a welder with 2-5 years of experience and at least one key certification (AWS D1.1 or higher). The market rewards skill, and the path to a $70,000+ salary is clear through specialization. It’s a tougher sell for a true beginner without any training, as the starting wage won’t go far in this city. If you’re willing to invest in the right certs and be strategic about your first job and neighborhood, Dallas offers a stable career and a decent quality of life.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Dallas?
Absolutely. Dallas is a car-centric city. Public transportation (DART) exists but is not reliable for accessing most industrial job sites. A reliable car is a non-negotiable tool of the trade.

2. What’s the best way to find my first welding job in Dallas?
Start with the Texas Workforce Commission website and local community college job boards (TCC, North Lake College). For the best jobs, contact the local union halls (Ironworkers Local 263, Pipefitters Local 572) about their apprenticeship programs. Networking at AWS section meetings is also highly effective.

3. Is it better to work for a union or non-union shop?
It depends on your goals. Unions (like Ironworkers or Pipefitters) offer higher wages, better benefits, and pensions but require a multi-year apprenticeship and you go where the work is. Non-union shops (fabrication, aerospace) offer more stability, predictable schedules, and often better work-life balance. The pay gap has narrowed in recent years.

4. How important is a welding certification from a college vs. a private test facility?
A college certificate (like from TCC) is more valuable for your first job. It shows commitment and often includes safety training (OSHA 10/30) and resume-building. A private AWS test is great for proving skill once you have experience. Combined, they are powerful.

5. What’s the biggest mistake new welders make in Dallas?
Underestimating the cost of living and buying a new truck with a high payment. The $24.08/hour rate is comfortable for a single person with a cheap used car, but it gets tight fast with a $600/month truck note and a $1,500 rent. Live like a welder with $50k for the first few years, not like a welder with $80k. Save and get certified before you upgrade your lifestyle.

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Sources: Data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metropolitan area; Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR); American Welding Society (AWS); local job postings and industry reports; and cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).