Welder vs Power Line Installer
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
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Welder | Power Line Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $112,855 | -$46,223 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $104,999 | -$42,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $99,425 | -$38,865 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $97,004 | -$38,282 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $98,333 | -$41,922 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $94,049 | -$38,091 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $88,613 | -$34,398 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $86,992 | -$34,819 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $88,707 | -$36,748 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $98,777 | -$46,983 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $99,431 | -$47,802 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $83,676 | -$32,276 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $83,941 | -$32,910 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $87,080 | -$36,578 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $82,108 | -$32,555 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $85,790 | -$36,580 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $74,545 | -$25,510 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $84,221 | -$35,265 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $91,683 | -$43,214 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $84,373 | -$36,017 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $79,227 | -$30,904 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $86,876 | -$38,560 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $78,807 | -$30,694 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $82,075 | -$34,485 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $85,011 | -$38,193 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $80,461 | -$34,446 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $75,751 | -$30,187 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $79,542 | -$34,697 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $81,266 | -$39,800 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $76,343 | -$35,195 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or Power Line Installers make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $50,902 — a difference of $36,830 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or Power Line Installer?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Power Line Installer requires 4 years.
Welder salary by city →
Power Line Installer salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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