What should I charge for welding work?

Welding rates swing with the setup: a shop bench, a mobile rig truck, or certified pipe work all price differently, and all carry a machine, gas, consumables, and serious insurance. Build each job from your labor and consumables plus a markup that covers that overhead, and price certified work above general repair.

Price a job the way contractors actually do it: add up what the job costs you, then add a markup for your overhead and profit. Fill in your numbers — your bid updates as you type.

What this job costs you

Materials & supplies ($) — your cost for everything you'll buy for this job

Other direct costs ($) — fuel, equipment rental, disposal fees, permits

Your labor

Not sure what to charge for your time? Employed welders earn a median of about $25.84/hr (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A self-employed labor rate is typically higher — roughly $40–$50/hr (about 1.5–2×) — because it also has to cover self-employment tax, the benefits an employer would otherwise pay, and the hours that cannot be billed.

Hours this job will take

Your hourly labor rate ($) — what your time is worth per hour; e.g. $40–$50

Hired help ($) — paid to a helper or subcontractor; leave blank if solo

Your markup — overhead & profit

This is where your business actually makes money. Industry standard is roughly 20–30% overall for contractors; solo operators often need the higher end to cover insurance, tools, truck, admin time, and slow weeks. Adjust to fit your business.

Markup on your costs (%)

Materials & supplies	$0
Your labor (0 hrs × $0)	$0
Hired help	$0
Other direct costs	$0
Your costs (subtotal)	$0
Markup (30% — overhead & profit)	$0
Bid price	$0

Pricing method and standard percentages from contractor-industry sources (Angi, Buildern, NAHB): overall contractor markup 20–30%, materials markup 7.5–35%, labor markup 25–50%, recommended profit margin 15–25%. A markup is a percentage of your costs; the resulting margin (share of the bid that's profit) is lower — both are shown above. These are general benchmarks, not a guarantee for your market.

What your markup has to cover

The markup in your bid covers the costs no single job shows. For welding work, your overhead typically includes the welder or generator and its maintenance, shielding gas and consumables (rod, wire, discs), the rig truck and fuel, certifications, liability insurance, and grinding and cutting tools. None of that appears on one job, but all of it is paid out of the markup added to every job. Published contractor guidance (Angi, NAHB) puts a typical overall markup at 20–30%.

Be realistic about your hours

Mobile welding sells the truck showing up, but drive time and setup are not billable — many add a mobile or trip fee on top of the hourly rate. Certified work (pipe, structural) commands a premium for the qualification and the testing behind it; price it above general repair.

Welder pricing FAQs

How much do mobile welders charge?

Mobile welding commonly runs $50–$150/hr, often with a minimum or a trip charge for the rig. The truck and generator showing up is part of the value — price the call-out separately from the hourly so short jobs far away still pay.

Should certified welding cost more?

Yes. Certified pipe, structural, or pressure work requires tested qualifications and carries more liability, so it justifies a clear premium over general repair welding. Charge for the certification you maintain, not just the hours.

How do I price materials and gas?

Bill consumables — rod, wire, gas, grinding discs — as a materials line with markup, or fold a shop-supply fee into the job. Gas and consumables are a real per-hour cost; tracking them keeps a long job from eating your margin.