Welding trades roles in the UK earn a median of £38,500 per year, equivalent to £16.41 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 7.2% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £33,000 in Yorkshire and The Humber to £43,000 in Scotland. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £35,344/yr (9% above our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£38,500
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£16.41
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+7.2%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£32,500 – £48,000
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Welding trades across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Scotland | £43,000 |
| London | £41,500 |
| South East | £41,000 |
| North West | £40,000 |
| East | £39,000 |
| Wales | £36,500 |
| East Midlands | £35,000 |
| West Midlands | £34,500 |
| South West | £34,000 |
| North East | £33,500 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £33,000 |
| UK | £38,500 |
Annual pay grew by +7.2% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Welding trades.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Welding trades in the UK is £38,500 per year (about £16.41 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Welding trades earn between £32,500 and £48,000 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Welding trades pay rose by 7.2% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Welding trades is in Scotland, at £43,000 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Welding trades roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Welding trades workers join metal parts by welding, brazing and soldering, and cut and remove defects from metal using a variety of equipment and techniques.
Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically by apprenticeship incorporating practical experience and technical training. NVQs/SVQs at levels 1, 2 and 3 and apprenticeships are available. Welders must normally pass a competency test in the particular type of welding to be carried out.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.