How much to charge for welding
Welding is billed hourly with a minimum, or flat-rate per job, and mobile service commands a clear premium. Certified structural and pipe work is its own higher tier, because the stakes and the credential justify it.
You should charge
$89
per hour · typical $50–$175
Why this number. Set a job minimum and price mobile welding above shop rates, since you are hauling the rig and the risk to them. Certified structural work is a separate, higher number; never quote it like a general repair.
Typical welding prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small repair (minimum) | $100 – $250 |
| Mobile service call | $150 – $400 |
| Custom fabrication (per hour) | $75 – $150 |
What changes the price
- Material and thickness
- Shop work vs. mobile / on-site
- Certification (structural, pipe)
- Fabrication complexity
The pricing move most people miss
Set a job minimum and price mobile welding above shop rates, since you are hauling the rig and the risk to them. Certified structural work is a separate, higher number; never quote it like a general repair.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for welding?+
Most welding is priced $50–$175 per hour, with a typical rate around $90 per hour. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to material and thickness and shop work vs. mobile / on-site. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge by the hour or a flat rate for welding?+
Charging by the hour ($50–$175 per hour) is the simplest way to start and protects you when the scope is unclear. But once you know how long a typical job takes, a flat per-job price usually earns more: it pays you for getting faster instead of punishing you for it, and clients prefer a fixed number they can budget around.
How much should I charge for welding as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $50 to $90 per hour. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $175.
What affects how much welding costs?+
The biggest factors are material and thickness; shop work vs. mobile / on-site; certification (structural, pipe); fabrication complexity. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote welding so the client says yes?+
Set a job minimum and price mobile welding above shop rates, since you are hauling the rig and the risk to them. Certified structural work is a separate, higher number; never quote it like a general repair. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.