Welding trades salary in the UK (2025/26)
ONS ASHE 2025
£34,742
£34,742
Mean salary
£36,908
Employment patterns
- 95% of Welding trades work full-time
- 8% are self-employed
- 99.6% of employees have permanent contracts
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey (APS218), 2025
Skilled Worker visa minimum
£34,900
How pay varies by region
South East is the highest-paying region for welding trades at £39,122 — 13% above the UK median. London is lowest at £23,101. Use the table below for the full regional breakdown.
Salary by UK region
| Region | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East | £39,122 | £38,956 | +13% |
| North West | £38,865 | £38,461 | +12% |
| East of England | £38,814 | £39,701 | +12% |
| Wales | £36,339 | £40,787 | +5% |
| Scotland | £36,309 | £38,087 | +5% |
| North East | £35,423 | £32,566 | +2% |
| East Midlands | £34,793 | £36,156 | ±0% |
| West Midlands | £34,493 | £35,317 | -1% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £32,947 | £36,107 | -5% |
| South West | £29,134 | £31,414 | -16% |
| London | £23,101 | £22,780 | -34% |
South East
£39,122
Mean £38,956
North West
£38,865
Mean £38,461
East of England
£38,814
Mean £39,701
Wales
£36,339
Mean £40,787
Scotland
£36,309
Mean £38,087
North East
£35,423
Mean £32,566
East Midlands
£34,793
Mean £36,156
West Midlands
£34,493
Mean £35,317
Yorkshire and the Humber
£32,947
Mean £36,107
South West
£29,134
Mean £31,414
London
£23,101
Mean £22,780
Sorted highest median to lowest. ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to £34,742. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Related roles in Metal Forming, Welding and Related Trades
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →