Welder.
Fargo.
$42,000
median salary, 18% below the national average
$38,000 to $51,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Welder in Fargo earns a median of $42,000 in 2026. That is 18% below the national average. The range runs from $38,000 to $51,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Certification type drives the largest pay differences. 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 Fargo, 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 $61,140 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 690 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$46,660
25th percentile
$52,260
Median
$61,140
75th percentile
$64,130
90th percentile
$74,230
Workers surveyed
690
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $42,000 is 31% lower than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers covers a different population than the Welder title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
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 Fargo 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 $38,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
to $34,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$36,000
to $44,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$46,000
to $55,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$53,000
to $65,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $12,000 to the total package.
Base
$42,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$4,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $54,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$42,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$51,000
Fargo is $9,000 below
Welder salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
Here is what the Welder market actually looks like in Fargo. Fargo has a surprisingly strong technology sector, home to companies like Microsoft's campus and a growing startup ecosystem tied to North Dakota State University. The city's extremely low cost of living and emerging tech scene make it an increasingly attractive option for professionals seeking affordability. 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 Fargo, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% 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: north Dakota has a very low income tax with a top rate of just 2.5%. Fargo has no city income tax. The minimal tax burden combined with low living costs creates excellent take home pay. When someone quotes you $42,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight willingness to work on site. Fargo tech employers struggle to recruit talent to the region and reward candidates who commit to living locally. The range for Welders in Fargo runs from $38,000 to $51,000. 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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- A Pharmacy Technician in Fargo earns $38,000 (10% less)
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Common questions.
Welder salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Fargo.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Welder Salary in Fargo, ND." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/welder/fargo
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