Welder vs HVAC Technician
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
HVAC Technician
HVAC · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,278
Salary Range$50,658 – $78,788
5yr Growth+15%
Trade Pay ScoreB (76/100)
Total Employment226,695
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Welder | HVAC Technician | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $77,543 | -$10,911 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $78,788 | -$16,489 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $67,089 | -$6,529 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $75,078 | -$16,356 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $68,062 | -$11,651 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $67,865 | -$11,907 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $66,145 | -$11,930 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $65,185 | -$13,012 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $63,547 | -$11,588 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $66,967 | -$15,173 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $65,882 | -$14,253 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $55,582 | -$4,182 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $57,424 | -$6,393 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $59,170 | -$8,668 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $59,335 | -$9,782 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $60,268 | -$11,058 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $50,658 | -$1,623 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $59,348 | -$10,392 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $57,122 | -$8,653 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $58,107 | -$9,751 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $59,999 | -$11,676 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $58,965 | -$10,649 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $51,420 | -$3,307 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $54,404 | -$6,814 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $58,962 | -$12,144 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $58,880 | -$12,865 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $56,859 | -$11,295 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $53,435 | -$8,590 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $51,036 | -$9,570 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $55,218 | -$14,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or HVAC Technicians make more money?
HVAC Technicians earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,278 compared to $50,902 — a difference of $10,376 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or HVAC Technician?
HVAC Technician has stronger 5-year wage growth at 15% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while HVAC Technician requires 4 years.
Welder salary by city →
HVAC Technician salary by city →
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