A variety of industries in the UK such as building, making products, engineering, energy in offshore locations and aerospace, all use welders. Unlike other areas, they mostly use heating techniques for metal, plastic and alloys and depend on TIG, MIG and Arc welding to build their gadgets strongly. It can be a little confusing for welders, both those new to the trade and those veteran tradespeople, to learn about the salary offered to welders. The programme includes the latest data from official sources and the Welding industry to describe average welder salary and gives support to apprentices. At present, the maximum accepted rate for a welding trade in the UK is £16.26 per hour which is corresponding to £31,700 yearly earnings (SOC 5213). Anyone in the migration scheme not living in London must earn at least £26,400 per year which is equal to £13.54 per hour. Here’s a detailed guide that outlines the average wage for welders in the U.K.

Welder Salary by Experience Level

Welder salary in the United Kingdom depends largely on the individual’s experience and skills.

• People who are new to the trade and have less than 3 years of experience might receive around £19,730 per year.
• Those with 4 to 9 years of experience in this field usually make around £24,670 annually at this point.
• Experienced workers with at least 10 to 20 years of experience can expect to make close to £32,600 a year.
• Those who have worked in the industry for more than 20 years can make up to £34,600 every year.

Some special occupations like piping welding, can give welders a pay of more than  £32,640 and maybe up to £50,000 of annual income.

Welder Salary by City

Welder salary also varies from one region to another, depending on demand and cost of operations.  Check the below table to see average salaries of welders in U.K. cities:

What Welders Do 

Welders are responsible for several different duties every day.

• Understanding technical instructions to see how to perform accurate welds.
• Before welding, welders need to clean, cut and shape the pieces they will be working with.
• Choosing how to weld and the necessary equipment for a particular task and material.
• Setting up tools and machines the right way to help ensure they respond as intended.
• Using measuring equipment to examine and confirm that welds are sound and up to certain industry rules.
• Maintenance and repair: Taking apart and cutting sections of metal during reparation or demolition.
• There are various tasks that a welder may handle such as installing small pipes in power plants, creating workshop materials for wind turbines or welding in the ocean on marine engineering tasks.

Welders’ workplaces can change greatly, including workshops, factories, building sites, demolition zones or even oil platforms at sea. You must be physically strong, have good hand skills, notice fine points and be well informed about safety rules.

Additional Notes

• Fewer than average welding professionals are rewarded with bonuses and the bonuses they get tend to be between 0 to 4% of their yearly salaries.
• People working in the public sector tend to earn 7% more than their counterparts in the private sector.
• Most welders enjoy an 8% increase in their income each year.

Basic Conditions for Becoming a Welder in the United Kingdom

Before becoming a welder in the UK, you have to satisfy some additional requirements and pass some basic qualifications. Let’s cover the topic in a succinct manner:

1. For Apprenticeships (Most Common Route):

• Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2 – e.g., General Welder): This includes Intermediate Apprenticeships which are usually prerequisites for the following skills:

• It is usual to must have some GCSE qualifications, including English and Maths. Even though grades such as Grade 3/4 or A*-D may be demanded by a few particular jobs, the majority focus on people who have gotten a pass.
• In case you don’t have the required GCSE grades, you may be able to study Functional Skills. 
• Level 1 or 2 in both subjects and still do your apprenticeship. Different kinds of apprenticeships are available and some allow studying at a college only for those who are 19 and older.
• Advanced Apprenticeship level (known as Level 3, for example Pipe Welder and Plate Welder):
  • Perfectly, students have to get five GCSEs with 9 to 4 (A to C)* grades or similar qualifications to join most of these courses. English, Maths and any other essential subjects ought to be incorporated into lessons.

2. For College Courses:

• Beginner or Level 1 welding courses are meant for those just learning.
  • Some welding programmes at the Level 1 level do not require anything before you can enrol. Usually, these programmes are designed for people who are interested in welding for pleasure or career reasons.
  • Being enthusiastic and interested in practising your welding skills on your own will help a lot.
• Level 2 Welding Courses:
  • Almost everywhere,you are required to have at least two GCSEs with passes from 3 to 9 (D to A)* to register for Level 2 courses.
  • Some schools need you to finish a Level 1 welding course or to have some prior welding skills when you apply.
• Level 3 programmes in Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology offer diplomas:
  • On average, most of these courses require more GCSEs than basic apprenticeships do, about the same as advanced apprenticeships usually (4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4/A*-C that must include English and Maths).
• There are T Levels available in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control.:
  • Many of these extra qualifications which carry the same credit as three A-levels, require you to have updated GCSE grades in English and Maths as well as other subjects. T Levels include a major part where students are involved in industry placements.

3. Direct Entry

• Go ahead and apply for entry-level welding jobs if you already have a little knowledge and a bit of prior experience.
• Should you have qualifications and certificates in related fields, you might be allowed to pursue welding.

4. Training Providers Specialising in Patient Care

• Go to training events, short classes or workshops provided by organisations or private institutions (for instance, The Welding Institute).
• Take certificates or learn coding according to BS 4872, ASME IX and ISO 9606 to show that you are prepared for the industry.

5. Work Experience

• Taking part-time or voluntary jobs in engineering and assembly can give you more skills and a better career chance.

6. Armed Forces

• Welding can be a good career and enlisting in the military can help you learn those skills from engineering and technical subjects.

Welder Apprenticeship Overview

UK apprenticeship guidelines indicate that welders learners are often paid near or just above the government set minimum wage for apprentices which is less than the adult minimum wage.

As of 1st April 2025, an apprentice welder receives a salary of £7.55 each hour

As such, this benefit exists for:

• People under the age of 19, and considered apprentices.
• Those who are apprentices, are 19 years old or above and are still in their first year of on-the-job training.

Note to Apprentices after Their First Year:

• This means that after their first year in an apprenticeship, anyone aged 19 or older can get the National Minimum Wage for their age group which will be:
  • People under the age of 18 should be paid £10.00 per hour.
  • For people turning 21 or older, £12.21 per hour is the National Living Wage.

Prerequisites for Welder Apprenticeships in the UK

1. Academic Qualifications:

• Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2 – e.g., General Welder):
  • In most cases, you will have to get some GCSEs, often including English and Maths or qualifications that are the same. A few employers may outline that applicants must at least have a Grade 2 in both English and Maths.
• Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3 – e.g., Pipe Welder, Plate Welder):
  • Usually, getting 5 or more GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A to C)* or their equivalent, that covers English and Maths is required.
• Functional Skills: For people ages 19 and over who cannot meet the needed GCSE standards, some courses allow you to accept English or Maths Functional Skills at Level 1 or 2 in place of the GCSE. But most students prefer to focus on getting GCSEs.

2. Age Requirements:

• Student must be 16 or over to start an apprenticeship in the UK.
• There is no upper age limit for apprenticeships. This is a common misconception; people of all ages, including those looking for a career change, can pursue apprenticeships.

3. Desired Skills and Attributes:

Even though these are not official degrees, employers seek applicants who have the skills mentioned below:

• Good physical skills: Manual dexterity, the ability to work with and around tools and machines and strong hand-eye coordination.
• Precision is very important in the job of welding.
• Being able to find and address any problems that come up during welding.
• Having good numerical abilities is important when reading plans, making measurements and knowing material requirements.
• Knowing some engineering science and technology is useful for young people.
• Welding safety: Being conscious of and respecting safe practises while welding is paramount.
• Following Instructions: Welders will be successful if they can accurately read blueprints, guidelines and safety procedures.
• Stamina: The welder’s job includes various physically demanding duties, different positions and sometimes operations in enclosed or hot locations.
• Being able to do well in conversations with colleagues, supervisors and clients matters, too.
• Knowing the basics of computers may be necessary for handling documents and equipment used in the job.

4. Other Considerations:

• Some entry-level apprenticeships do not require experience, however, you can use job shadowing, volunteer work or other experience to improve your chances of being accepted.
• If you are welding on construction sites, you most likely have to present the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme as well as a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. You can pick up these skills while working as an apprentice.
• Every employer creates its own criteria, so make sure to find out what is needed for the apprenticeships you apply to.

The skills needed in welding continue to be important in the UK, as demand endures throughout different industries. Because of the expansion in infrastructure, progress in manufacturing and the boom in renewables, there will always be a need for qualified people. Welding abilities used mainly for pipe work or in difficult places like offshore are always needed and rewarded with better salaries. Being up to date in skills, completing special courses and using new welding technologies are crucial for workers who wish to advance and stay successful in their field.