Both welders and carpenters are skilled tradespeople who play important roles in the construction industry. However, there are some key differences between these two careers when it comes to education requirements, job duties, work environment, and salary prospects. This article will provide a detailed comparison of welder vs carpenter salaries to help readers understand which career offers the greatest earning potential.
Welder Salary
Welders use specialized equipment to join metal pieces together through the application of heat. The average annual salary for welders in the United States is $44,190. However, welders can earn anywhere from $27,680 to $63,170 per year. The highest paid 10% of welders make $58,580 or more annually.
Some of the factors that can affect a welder’s salary include:
- Years of experience
- Specialized welding skills and certifications
- Industry and type of employer
- Regional location
- Union vs non-union work
Entry-level welders typically start out making around $30,000 per year. With experience, certified welders who work in specialized industries like oil and gas or underwater welding can earn over $100,000 annually. The states with the highest average salaries for welders are Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Wyoming and North Dakota.
Welder Industries & Salaries
Some of the top-paying industries for welders include:
| Industry | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Pipeline transportation of natural gas | $65,230 |
| Petroleum refining | $59,880 |
| Heavy machinery manufacturing | $53,090 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | $51,450 |
| Ship building and repairing | $50,400 |
As you can see, industries like oil, gas, aerospace, and manufacturing tend to offer the highest wages for skilled welders.
Carpenter Salary
Carpenters construct, install, and repair structural elements in buildings. The average annual salary for carpenters in the US is $51,520, with salaries ranging from $32,970 to $82,090 per year. The top 10% of carpenters earn $79,480 or more.
Factors impacting a carpenter’s salary potential include:
- Years of experience
- Specialized skills and certifications
- Type of carpentry (rough, finish, etc)
- Union membership
- Region and employer
Entry-level carpenters start out earning $30,000 to $40,000 per year on average. With experience and advanced skills, carpenters can earn over $100,000 annually. The top paying states for carpenters are Hawaii, New York, California, Alaska, and New Jersey.
Carpenter Industries & Salaries
Some of the industries with the highest carpenter salaries include:
| Industry | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors | $55,880 |
| Commercial and institutional building construction | $54,750 |
| Utility system construction | $53,380 |
| Land subdivision | $52,270 |
| Residential building construction | $50,730 |
Construction industries like commercial building, utilities, and residential contracting tend to pay the highest carpentry wages.
Welder vs Carpenter Salaries
Based on average salary alone, carpenters generally make more than welders annually. The average salary for carpenters is about $7,330 higher per year compared to the average welder salary.
However, there are some important caveats when comparing welder vs carpenter wages:
- Salaries can vary significantly based on location. In some markets, welders may earn more than carpenters.
- Many welders work on a contract or hourly basis. Their annual salary may be underreported.
- Overtime pay can impact annual earnings. Welders often work overtime which can boost their total pay.
- Bonuses and profit sharing may not be accounted for in wage data.
- Underwater welders and specialized welders can earn $100k+ annually exceeding most carpenter salaries.
While the BLS reports higher average salaries for carpenters, welders may have greater earning potential in some situations depending on their skillset, work arrangements, location and industry.
Job Growth Prospects
In addition to salary prospects, job growth is an important factor when comparing careers. According to BLS projections, welding and carpentry careers are both expected to see average growth over the next decade:
- Welding jobs are projected to grow 3% through 2030, adding around 11,600 new positions.
- Carpentry careers are expected to expand 8% over the 2020-2030 decade, resulting in about 47,600 additional jobs.
Based on these projections, carpentry appears to have slightly better job growth prospects compared to welding. As construction activity rebounds following the pandemic, the need for carpenters should rise. However, welders will continue to be in demand for manufacturing, transportation equipment, oil and gas work.
Overall, both vocations offer relatively good job security and stability. Qualified welders and carpenters who have specialized skills should have solid career opportunities in the coming years.
Education Requirements
When evaluating welder vs carpenter careers, educational requirements are another point of comparison:
- Welders – Most welding careers require candidates to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Completing a welding program at a technical school or community college can be beneficial for gaining hands-on training and preparing for certification tests. Entry-level welders can typically learn on the job.
- Carpenters – To become a carpenter, individuals generally need a high school education. Many carpenters enter apprenticeships where they receive paid on-the-job training for 3-4 years. Earning an associate degree or certificate from a technical school can help with carpentry skills.
In summary, formal education requirements are fairly similar for both careers beyond a high school level. On-the-job training or vocational programs are the most common educational paths. Overall, carpenters tend to have a slightly more structured training process through multi-year paid apprenticeships.
Working Conditions
The work environment is another point of comparison when evaluating welder vs carpenter careers:
- Welders – Welders typically work in physically demanding conditions. They may work outdoors, in manufacturing facilities, or in cramped spaces. Welders often perform repetitive motions while standing for long periods. They are exposed to dangerous equipment, fumes, gases, burns and electric shock.
- Carpenters – Most carpenters work full-time on construction job sites. Their work is physically strenuous and requires standing, bending, kneeling for long periods. Carpentry involves risk of injury from slips, falls, cuts, and lifting. Work is often dependent on weather conditions.
In general, both welding and carpentry involve full-time manual labor under potentially hazardous conditions. Welders face more risks in terms of fumes and burns. But carpenters are also exposed to many on-site construction dangers. Staying safe requires following strict protocols in both careers.
Career Advancement Prospects
For those interested in career growth and advancement, here are the potential pathways for welders vs carpenters:
- Welders – With experience, welders can progress to supervisory roles or become welding inspectors. Some welders open their own metal fabrication shops. Experienced welders can also pursue careers as instructors, technicians, sales representatives or inspectors.
- Carpenters – Carpenters may advance to roles as supervisors or contractors. With additional training, some become cabinetmakers, insulators, or building inspectors. Experienced carpenters can also start their own contracting businesses.
In summary, both vocations offer opportunities to take on leadership, supervisory, training, and business ownership roles once carpenters and welders gain experience. Overall, carpenters may have slightly better advancement potential into related construction trades. But welders can also transition into skilled technical and training roles over time.
Conclusion
In evaluating welder vs carpenter salary prospects and careers, there are trade-offs to consider. Carpenter jobs pay more on average. But earning potential for experienced welders can exceed $100k in specialized areas. Carpentry also has a bit more structured training through apprenticeships. However, welders can learn quickly on the job and may have better flexibility in work arrangements. Both careers provide good job stability and growth in the coming years as construction and manufacturing drive demand. With hard work and skill development, advancement is possible as a welder or carpenter. Overall, choosing between these trades depends on an individual’s interests and career goals. But both provide opportunities to earn solid middle-class wages in skilled trades with good job prospects.