Welder vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Welder
Welding · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,902
Salary Range$41,148 – $66,632
5yr Growth+8%
Trade Pay ScoreD (54/100)
Total Employment144,671
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Welder | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $138,742 | -$72,110 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $133,724 | -$71,425 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $134,046 | -$73,486 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $141,603 | -$82,881 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $129,499 | -$73,088 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $121,490 | -$65,532 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $124,593 | -$70,378 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $121,535 | -$69,362 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $110,350 | -$58,391 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $124,384 | -$72,590 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $129,318 | -$77,689 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $105,962 | -$54,562 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $110,487 | -$59,456 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $111,663 | -$61,161 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $102,831 | -$53,278 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $103,783 | -$54,573 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $100,828 | -$51,793 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $109,848 | -$60,892 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $103,583 | -$55,114 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $94,454 | -$46,098 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $103,128 | -$54,805 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $119,631 | -$71,315 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $91,823 | -$43,710 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $93,203 | -$45,613 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $102,530 | -$55,712 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $105,135 | -$59,120 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $107,407 | -$61,843 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $110,643 | -$65,798 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $98,578 | -$57,112 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $90,238 | -$49,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $50,902 — a difference of $61,599 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or Construction Manager?
Construction Manager has stronger 5-year wage growth at 12% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
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