Rent Affordability for Welders in the US
As of May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Rent: ZORI monthly.
National avg salary
$51,410/yr
Gross monthly
$4,284
Affordable rent (30% rule)
$1,285/mo
Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.
Where rent is most affordable: states with the highest welder pay
| State | Avg salary | Affordable rent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,263/yr | $1,607/mo | View cities › |
| California | $60,664/yr | $1,517/mo | View cities › |
| Massachusetts | $59,636/yr | $1,491/mo | View cities › |
| New York | $58,607/yr | $1,465/mo | View cities › |
| Alaska | $57,579/yr | $1,439/mo | View cities › |
| New Jersey | $57,579/yr | $1,439/mo | View cities › |
| Washington | $57,579/yr | $1,439/mo | View cities › |
| Connecticut | $56,551/yr | $1,414/mo | View cities › |
| Hawaii | $55,523/yr | $1,388/mo | View cities › |
| Maryland | $55,523/yr | $1,388/mo | View cities › |
Where rent stretches the salary furthest: states with the lowest welder pay
| State | Avg salary | Affordable rent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $41,642/yr | $1,041/mo | View cities › |
| Arkansas | $42,670/yr | $1,067/mo | View cities › |
| West Virginia | $43,699/yr | $1,092/mo | View cities › |
| Alabama | $44,213/yr | $1,105/mo | View cities › |
| Louisiana | $44,727/yr | $1,118/mo | View cities › |
| South Dakota | $45,241/yr | $1,131/mo | View cities › |
| South Carolina | $45,241/yr | $1,131/mo | View cities › |
| Oklahoma | $45,241/yr | $1,131/mo | View cities › |
| Montana | $45,241/yr | $1,131/mo | View cities › |
| Kentucky | $45,241/yr | $1,131/mo | View cities › |
All states
District of ColumbiaCaliforniaMassachusettsNew YorkAlaskaNew JerseyWashingtonConnecticutHawaiiMarylandColoradoMinnesotaOregonRhode IslandNew HampshireDelawareIllinoisVirginiaPennsylvaniaTexasArizonaNevadaNorth DakotaVermontMichiganUtahGeorgiaWisconsinNorth CarolinaOhioWyomingFloridaMaineNebraskaIndianaIowaMissouriTennesseeKansasNew MexicoIdahoKentuckyMontanaOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaLouisianaAlabamaWest VirginiaArkansasMississippi
Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in most US cities?
In most lower- and mid-cost US cities, yes. High-cost coastal markets typically require roommates or specialized welding work that pays well above the BLS mean.
What rent can a welder afford?
At the BLS national mean of $51,410, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.