Welder in Seattle, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Seattle Stands

In Seattle, the welding trade is a solid, steady bet. The median salary for a welder here is $51,524 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.77. This puts you slightly ahead of the national average of $49,590/year, but remember that Seattle is a high-cost city. The metro area supports about 1,510 welder jobs, and over the next decade, the field is projected to grow by just 2%. That’s not explosive growth, but it’s stable—especially in a city with a robust industrial and maritime base.

To give you a clearer picture of how experience translates to pay in Seattle, here’s a typical breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Seattle Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$40,000 - $48,000/year	Often starts in production welding or as a helper. Union apprenticeships can start higher.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$48,000 - $60,000/year	Median falls here. You'll have AWS certifications and might specialize.
Senior (8-15 years)	$60,000 - $75,000/year	Supervisory roles, lead welder on complex projects, or advanced certifications (e.g., underwater welding).
Expert/Supervisor (15+ years)	$75,000+	Project management, inspection (CWI), or niche specialties like aerospace or underwater welding.

Compared to other Washington cities, Seattle welders command a premium due to the high cost of living and density of specialized employers. In Spokane, for instance, the median might be closer to $47,000/year, but rent and general expenses are significantly lower. In Bellingham, the pay is similar to Seattle's, but the job market is smaller and more seasonal. Tacoma, Seattle's neighbor to the south, has a similar wage scale but is home to major port and shipyard operations, offering a slightly different industrial focus.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many Seattle welders work overtime, especially in construction and shipbuilding. A $51,524 base can easily become $60,000+ with consistent overtime, which is common during project crunch times.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Seattle is beautiful, but it's not cheap. Let's break down what a welder earning the median salary actually takes home. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Seattle is $2,269/month. The city's cost of living index is 113.0, meaning it's 13% higher than the national average.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a single welder earning $51,524/year (using 2024 federal tax estimates for a single filer, no dependents, standard deduction):

Category	Monthly Estimate	Notes
Gross Pay	$4,294	$51,524 / 12
Taxes (Fed, State, FICA)	~$920	WA has no state income tax, which helps. Federal and FICA will take a chunk.
Net Take-Home	~$3,374	This is your paycheck.
Rent (1BR Average)	$2,269	This is the biggest hurdle.
Utilities	$180	Electricity, gas, internet.
Groceries & Household	$400
Transportation	$250	Gas, insurance, ORCA card. Many welders drive older trucks.
Health Insurance	$150	Varies by employer; many union jobs include this.
Misc/Entertainment	$200
Total Expenses	~$3,449
Monthly Surplus/Deficit	~($75)

Can they afford to buy a home? At the median salary, buying a home in Seattle proper is a significant challenge. The median home price is over $800,000. A 20% down payment is $160,000, and a monthly mortgage payment would be far above your rent. However, welders with seniority, dual incomes, or those willing to live in the suburbs (e.g., Kent, Auburn, Everett) can find more affordable options. In those areas, home prices dip into the $500,000 - $600,000 range, making homeownership a longer-term but achievable goal.

Insider Tip: Many experienced welders in Seattle buy property in neighboring cities like Tukwila or Burien, where prices are lower, and commute to jobs in the city or at the shipyards. It's a trade-off between cost and commute time.

Where the Jobs Are: Seattle's Major Employers

Seattle's welding jobs are concentrated in a few key sectors: maritime/shipbuilding, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing. Here are some of the major local employers:

1. Boeing: The aerospace giant is a massive employer for welders, especially those with certifications in aluminum and titanium. Positions are often in Everett (just north of Seattle) and Renton. They hire for both commercial and defense programs. Hiring tends to be cyclical, tied to new aircraft programs.
2. Port of Seattle / Terminal 69: The port needs welders for container handling equipment maintenance, ship repairs, and general dockside infrastructure. These jobs offer stability and often come with union benefits (ILWU or IBEW).
3. Vigor Industrial (now part of Hanwha): This shipbuilding and repair company operates out of Harbor Island and is a cornerstone of Seattle's maritime industry. They build and service everything from ferries to Coast Guard cutters. Hiring is project-based but offers deep experience.
4. Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) subsidiaries: Companies like Nunamta Aulukestai (a Bristol Bay affiliate) manage facilities and may have in-house welding needs for maintenance and operations. They often prioritize hiring local and Native talent.
5. Local Construction & Fabrication Shops: Seattle’s booming construction scene means steady work for welders in structural steel, custom fabrication, and architectural metalwork. Companies like Allied Steel or Seattle Iron & Metal are examples of local fabricators that hire welders for shop and field work.
6. Hospitals & Universities: Institutions like Harborview Medical Center (a major Level I trauma center) and the University of Washington have in-house facilities teams that employ welders for maintenance of specialized equipment, structural repairs, and lab apparatus. These jobs offer good benefits and a more predictable schedule.
7. Union Apprenticeship Programs (Local 86 IBEW, Iron Workers): While not a direct employer, joining a union is a primary path to long-term employment. They dispatch members to job sites across the city and state, providing access to major projects (e.g., light rail, stadiums, high-rises).

Hiring Trends: Right now, there's strong demand in the maritime sector for experienced welders, especially those with codes like AWS D1.1 (structural) and D1.6 (stainless). Aerospace hiring is steady but highly selective. The construction boom has created a need for welders in temporary project roles.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington state does not require a state-issued welding license to work as a welder. However, your credentials are validated through certifications and, for certain jobs, state-issued certifications.

1. AWS Certifications: The American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are the industry standard. The most common is the Certified Welder (CW) credential, which is a performance-based test. You’ll need to test in the specific process (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, etc.) and material (carbon steel, stainless, etc.) relevant to the jobs you want. Entry-level welders often start with a basic CW in GMAW (MIG) or SMAW (Stick).

   • Cost: A certification test at a local testing facility (like North Seattle College or a private lab) typically costs $100 - $250 per test.
   • Timeline: If you have the skills, you can complete a test in a day. If you need training, a community college program takes 6-24 months.

2. Washington State Welding Certifications: For specific public works projects or certain roles, you may need a state certification. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) administers these.

   • Structural Welder Certification (D1.1): Required for many construction and infrastructure projects. The test is administered by L&I-approved agencies. Cost is usually $200 - $400.
   • Pressure Vessel Welder Certification: For work on boilers and pressure vessels, governed by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBIC). More specialized and costly.
   • Timeline: From zero experience to job-ready, expect 6 to 24 months. A full-time program at a community college (like Seattle Central College or North Seattle College) can get you there in under a year. Apprenticeships through unions (4-5 years) combine on-the-job training with classroom learning.

Insider Tip: Before spending money on a certification, talk to local employers. If you’re targeting Boeing, they have specific internal certification requirements. If you’re aiming for construction, D1.1 is essential. Get the right cert for the right job.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live in Seattle depends on your job site, budget, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods popular with tradespeople:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why Welders Like It
Beacon Hill / Georgetown	Industrial-chic, close to the Duwamish River jobs. Easy access to I-5 and 99.	~$1,800	Proximity to shipyards, fabrication shops, and Boeing in Renton. More affordable than downtown.
West Seattle (Alki, Delridge)	Slower pace, some industrial pockets. Commute to downtown or Harbor Island via the bridge.	~$2,100	Good value for being close to the city. Some welders work at the Port or in maritime repair in West Seattle.
North Seattle (Lake City, Northgate)	Access to I-5, Everett (Boeing), and North Seattle College for training.	~$2,000	A central hub. Easy north/south commute. Close to community college welding programs.
Burien / Tukwila	Suburban, more affordable. Commute to Seattle or Kent (Boeing) is manageable.	~$1,600	Significantly lower rent. Direct access to I-5 and I-405. Home to many small machine shops and welders.
South Park / White Center	Working-class, diverse, central to the Duwamish industrial corridor.	~$1,700	This is the heart of Seattle's industrial core. You could live and work in the same neighborhood, minimizing commute.

Insider Tip: Traffic around the Duwamish River (I-5 and 99) can be brutal during rush hour. If your job is in Georgetown or at the Port, living in Beacon Hill or South Park can save you hours of stress per week.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth over 10 years means you need to specialize to advance and command higher pay. The median is a floor, not a ceiling.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Underwater Welding: The big money. Requires commercial diving certification. In Seattle, with its deep ports and maritime industry, demand is steady for repair work on ships, bridges, and docks. Pay can start at $70,000 and go well into six figures with experience.
  • Aerospace Welding: Expertise in exotic alloys (titanium, Inconel) for Boeing or Blue Origin commands a premium. These jobs are highly skilled and stable.
  • Welding Inspector (CWI): Moving from welder to inspector (AWS Certified Welding Inspector) is a natural career progression. It’s less physically demanding and pays $70,000 - $100,000+.
  • Pipe Welding (ASME IX): Critical in power plants, refineries, and biotech facilities (like those in Seattle's life sciences corridor). Certified pipe welders are always in demand and earn top wages.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Field Welder → Lead Welder → Superintendent (Construction): Move from hands-on work to managing crews and projects.
  2. Shop Welder → Fabricator → Production Manager (Manufacturing): Take on design, layout, and workflow management.
  3. Union Apprentice → Journeyman -> Foreman (Union): Gain access to large-scale projects and leadership roles within the union structure.
  4. Welder → Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) → Quality Assurance Manager: Transition to a white-collar role focused on safety and compliance.

10-Year Outlook: While the overall job growth is modest, opportunities will be concentrated in green energy (offshore wind, hydrogen production), shipbuilding (especially for the U.S. Navy), and aerospace (next-gen aircraft and space vehicles). Seattle is a hub for all three. A welder who invests in training for these emerging sectors will have the best long-term prospects.

The Verdict: Is Seattle Right for You?

Seattle offers a dynamic market for skilled welders, but it's a trade-off between opportunity and cost.

Pros	Cons
Strong, diverse industrial base (Maritime, Aerospace, Construction)	Extremely high cost of living, especially rent
Above-national-average wages to offset some costs	Job growth is slow (2%), competition for top jobs is fierce
No state income tax (boosts take-home pay)	Traffic and congestion can add hours to your commute
Path to specialization in high-paying niches (underwater, aerospace)	Competitive housing market if you aim to buy
Strong union presence offering benefits and job security	Weather (rain, gray skies) can be a lifestyle factor

Final Recommendation: Seattle is a great fit for a welder who is already skilled and certified, willing to specialize, and prepared for a high-cost lifestyle. It’s not ideal for an entry-level welder looking for an easy start, as the cost of entry is high. If you’re a mid-career welder with 3+ years of experience and AWS certifications, Seattle offers a clear path to a solid career with the potential for significant advancement. For those just starting, consider training in a lower-cost WA city (like Spokane) and then moving to Seattle once you have the experience and certifications to command a higher wage.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to be a union member to find work in Seattle?
A: No, but it helps. Many of the major projects (ports, stadiums, light rail) are union jobs, and the apprenticeship is an excellent training path. Non-union shops and many manufacturing employers (like Boeing) hire directly. It's a mix.

Q: What's the most common certification for a new welder in Seattle?
A: The AWS Certified Welder in GMAW (MIG) transfer mode on carbon steel. It's the most versatile and used in fabrication, construction, and manufacturing. If you're targeting shipbuilding, SMAW (Stick) is also essential.

Q: Is the weather a problem for welding jobs?
A: For shop work, no. For field work, yes. Seattle's rain can delay outdoor construction and ship repair projects. You'll be working in all weather, so proper rain gear is a must. Factor in more indoor work during the winter months.

Q: How important is knowing how to weld different materials?
A: Very. While carbon steel is the bread and butter, knowing how to weld stainless steel (for food and medical equipment) and aluminum (for marine and aerospace) makes you far more employable. Specializing in one or two materials is often more profitable than being a jack-of-all-trades.

Q: Can I get started without formal training?
A: It's possible but difficult. You could start as a welder's helper and pick up skills on the job. However, formal training from a community college or a union apprenticeship is the fastest way to get certified and start earning a journeyman's wage. The cost of training is an investment that pays off quickly in Seattle's market.