Welder salary in Rhode Island
Median $24.32 an hour for 2,300 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Welder pay in Rhode Island: the full range
Rhode Island ranks 38th of 51 states for median welder pay, and 50th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $23.77). 2,300 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $17.09 – $24.32 | $35,560 – $50,580 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $24.32 – $32.82 | $50,580 – $68,260 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $32.82 – $38.94 | $68,260 – $81,000 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Welder pay by metro in Rhode Island
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $17.11 | $25.39 | $38.94 | 2,490 | 4% above |
Welder wages in Rhode Island over time
Table
| Year | Rhode Island $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $9.71 | $18.76 | $12.58 | 1,140 |
| 2000 | $13.16 | $24.60 | $13.13 | 1,050 |
| 2001 | $12.29 | $22.34 | $13.70 | 1,170 |
| 2002 | $12.99 | $23.25 | $14.02 | — |
| 2003 | $14.16 | $24.78 | $14.25 | 660 |
| 2004 | $13.03 | $22.21 | $14.72 | 660 |
| 2005 | $16.04 | $26.44 | $14.90 | 1,090 |
| 2006 | $17.34 | $27.69 | $15.10 | 1,200 |
| 2007 | $17.96 | $27.89 | $15.51 | 1,230 |
| 2008 | $19.00 | $28.41 | $16.13 | 1,350 |
| 2009 | $20.02 | $30.04 | $16.71 | 1,080 |
| 2010 | $20.81 | $30.72 | $17.04 | 990 |
| 2011 | $18.89 | $27.04 | $17.27 | 770 |
| 2012 | $19.85 | $27.83 | $17.45 | 670 |
| 2013 | $20.27 | $28.01 | $17.66 | 790 |
| 2014 | $19.62 | $26.68 | $17.99 | 1,210 |
| 2015 | $19.37 | $26.31 | $18.34 | 1,520 |
| 2016 | $19.49 | $26.14 | $18.94 | 1,530 |
| 2017 | $21.71 | $28.51 | $19.35 | 1,400 |
| 2018 | $23.48 | $30.10 | $19.89 | 1,410 |
| 2019 | $23.78 | $29.95 | $20.43 | 1,430 |
| 2020 | $24.51 | $30.49 | $21.25 | 1,380 |
| 2021 | $27.61 | $32.80 | $22.60 | 1,450 |
| 2022 | $28.39 | $31.23 | $22.86 | 1,850 |
| 2023 | $28.35 | $29.95 | $23.53 | 2,000 |
| 2024 | $27.40 | $28.12 | $24.52 | 2,350 |
| 2025 | $24.32 | $24.32 | $25.84 | 2,300 |
In today's dollars, the median welder wage in Rhode Island changed by -7.6% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in Rhode Island?
Keep comparing
Welder pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Rhode Island
Questions this page answers
How much do welders make in Rhode Island?
The median welder in Rhode Island earned $24.32 an hour ($50,580 a year) in May 2025, 6% below the national median of $25.84. The middle half earn $24.32–$32.82; the top 10% earn more than $38.94.
Where does Rhode Island rank for welder pay?
Rhode Island ranks 38th of 51 states for welder pay, with a median of $24.32 an hour, and 50th after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (BEA price parity 102.3, US = 100).
What is the union welder rate in Rhode Island?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a welder classification for most Rhode Island counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many welders work in Rhode Island?
BLS counted 2,300 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in Rhode Island in May 2025, 4.6 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.71; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Rhode Island and metro areas, SOC 51-4121.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.