TradesOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Welder Salary in New York

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$105,041/yr

Typical range: $103,284 $121,710

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Welder Salary Progression in New York

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$61,991$5,166
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$74,045$6,170+19%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$82,081$6,840+32%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$89,887$7,491+45%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$105,041$8,753+69%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$116,061$9,672+87%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$118,817$9,901+92%
Current Salary
$105,041
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $51/hr
Next Level Target
$116,061
Principal · 14
+$11Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
30/100
High Risk
+3% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Welder salary in New York, NY?

Staff / Lead Welders in New York, NY earn approximately $105K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Welder make per hour in New York, NY?

Based on $105K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $51/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Welder in New York, NY?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Welder in New York, NY earns $103K–$122K/yr.