Welder.
Birmingham.
$43,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$39,000 to $53,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Welder pay in Birmingham at $43,000, within a range of $39,000 to $53,000. That is 16% below the national average. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Welder in Birmingham, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $49,930 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) in the Birmingham, AL metropolitan area, based on 2,160 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$38,010
25th percentile
$44,350
Median
$49,930
75th percentile
$62,080
90th percentile
$71,640
Workers surveyed
2,160
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) rather than Welder specifically. The Birmingham range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 51-4121Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $39,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$28,000
to $34,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$37,000
to $45,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$47,000
to $56,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$54,000
to $67,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$43,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $56,000
How Birmingham compares.
Birmingham, AL
$43,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$51,000
Birmingham is $8,000 below
Welder salary by city.
Salary by role in Birmingham.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Welder roles in Birmingham, here is what you are walking into. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. Certification type drives the largest pay differences. TIG and pipe welders earn 20 to 35% more than MIG welders doing structural or production work. Welders certified for exotic alloys like titanium, Inconel, or stainless steel in aerospace or nuclear applications earn peak rates. Travel welding and shutdown work offer premium per diem packages.
Welding apprentices start at $30,000 to $36,000, advancing to journeyman welder at $40,000 to $55,000 in three to four years. Certified pipe welders earn $60,000 to $80,000, while welding inspectors (CWI) and supervisors reach $75,000 to $100,000 in industrial settings. In Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Per diem payments for travel welders add $75 to $150 daily, potentially adding $18,000 to $35,000 annually. Union welders receive pension and health benefits worth $10,000 to $18,000. Tool and safety equipment allowances of $500 to $1,500 are standard. And on the tax side: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $43,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for Welders in Birmingham runs from $39,000 to $53,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
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- An Insurance Agent in Birmingham earns $45,000 (5% more)
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Common questions.
Welder salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Birmingham.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Welder Salary in Birmingham, AL." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/welder/birmingham
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