25 Best Cities for Welders in 2026
Welders support manufacturing, energy, shipbuilding, and construction industries, with demand concentrated in industrial metros. The best cities for welders combine strong manufacturing or energy sectors with affordable housing and low unemployment, since welding is a skilled trade that pays best in industrial markets.
Methodology
Scoring weights: rent-to-income ratio (40%, inverted), unemployment rate (30%, inverted), median income (20%), violent crime rate (10%, inverted).
Laconia
New Hampshire
Median Income
$97,692
Median Rent
$1,037/mo
Rent/Income
13%
Unemployment
2.1%
Bismarck
North Dakota
Median Income
$83,440
Median Rent
$951/mo
Rent/Income
14%
Unemployment
2.0%
Lexington Park
Maryland
Median Income
$116,297
Median Rent
$1,718/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.0%
Concord
New Hampshire
Median Income
$92,110
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.0%
Keene
New Hampshire
Median Income
$89,314
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Rent/Income
17%
Unemployment
2.3%
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
Median Income
$76,226
Median Rent
$988/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
1.7%
Burlington-South Burlington
Vermont
Median Income
$95,497
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Rent/Income
20%
Unemployment
1.6%
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
Median Income
$82,864
Median Rent
$953/mo
Rent/Income
14%
Unemployment
2.5%
Heber
Utah
Median Income
$134,986
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Rent/Income
22%
Unemployment
2.5%
Manchester-Nashua
New Hampshire
Median Income
$103,727
Median Rent
$1,668/mo
Rent/Income
19%
Unemployment
2.4%
Appleton
Wisconsin
Median Income
$83,966
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
2.3%
Lebanon-Claremont
New Hampshire
Median Income
$78,937
Median Rent
$1,218/mo
Rent/Income
19%
Unemployment
1.9%
Torrington
Connecticut
Median Income
$91,020
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
3.0%
Fargo
North Dakota
Median Income
$72,889
Median Rent
$989/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
1.9%
Decatur
Alabama
Median Income
$72,956
Median Rent
$854/mo
Rent/Income
14%
Unemployment
2.1%
Sheboygan
Wisconsin
Median Income
$72,902
Median Rent
$895/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
2.3%
Grand Forks
North Dakota
Median Income
$71,529
Median Rent
$908/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
2.2%
Ogden
Utah
Median Income
$100,461
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.5%
Grand Island
Nebraska
Median Income
$70,919
Median Rent
$947/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
2.2%
Portland-South Portland
Maine
Median Income
$92,117
Median Rent
$1,551/mo
Rent/Income
20%
Unemployment
2.2%
Rapid City
South Dakota
Median Income
$77,164
Median Rent
$1,125/mo
Rent/Income
17%
Unemployment
1.8%
Minot
North Dakota
Median Income
$72,073
Median Rent
$985/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
2.1%
Manitowoc
Wisconsin
Median Income
$68,297
Median Rent
$752/mo
Rent/Income
13%
Unemployment
2.7%
Huntsville
Alabama
Median Income
$84,929
Median Rent
$1,240/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.0%
Logan
Utah
Median Income
$85,111
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries pay welders the most?
Underwater welding and pipeline welding pay the highest, often $80,000 to $150,000 for experienced professionals. Aerospace and shipbuilding also pay above average compared to general construction welding.
Are welding jobs in oil and gas stable?
Demand fluctuates with energy prices, making oil and gas welding financially lucrative but cyclically volatile. Diversifying into construction, manufacturing, or aerospace provides more stable long-term employment.
Does certification affect welder pay significantly?
Yes. AWS (American Welding Society) certifications, especially in pipe welding and structural welding, can meaningfully increase earning potential and open doors to higher-paying specialized projects.