Mobile Welding Rates – How Much An Hour Does A Mobile Welder Charge?

How Much An Hour Does A Mobile Welder Charge? This question is frequently asked by Welding Zilla. The real question is, how much are you willing to spend?  Companies vary greatly in their rates, and if you’re looking to pay the bare minimum, you may find someone who will work with you.

If you’re looking for a quick answer, we’ll start by giving you the range of typical rates in The GTA, and then we’ll answer the better question: How much should a mobile welder charge?

Mobile Welding Rates - How Much An Hour Does A Mobile Welder Charge?

Mobile Welding Rates

Hourly Rates That Other Mobile Welders Charge

The average mobile welder in the Greater Toronto Area charges between $80 and $120 an hour. The tendency is for those charging outside of that range to last only a short time, though they do happen from time to time. 

At the bottom end of the range, welders who charge below it don’t make nearly enough to compete with the regular wages that employers offer, and they either raise their prices or quit. A welder charging above usually doesn’t get enough business to keep their business afloat, lowering their rates or finding a job.

Some people think welders earn a lot of money, but this is not always true. How freelance welders charge will be discussed in this article and how single hand (employee) welders stack up to freelancers.

The key to maximizing one’s income and improving one’s skill set is really up to every individual. It might be best for someone to create their hustle if they aren’t content as an employee.

Subcontracting for tons of different companies is a logical step for welders with fully outfitted rig trucks. However, a welder without his own gear may find that it is harder to increase his pay.

Is there a fair price for mobile welding?

Mobile Welding Rates

After getting a rough idea of the rate, how much should you be willing to shell out? Getting a mobile welder who charges $80 per hour or less may require you to call several in your area, but it does not necessarily equate to them pocketing all the money they charge.

Generally, the welders who charge higher prices have more training, and they also invest more in licensing, certifications, and insurance. These factors all help ensure that the job is done correctly the first time, which can ultimately save you money by preventing costly repairs down the road.

Nonetheless, spending at the high end of the range will not guarantee that you will receive quality work beyond average. Welders who use mobile equipment are often forced to take advantage of their customers who do not understand reasonable rates or are unsure of their competence.

If you want to avoid overpaying a mobile welder, make sure they have the proper certifications and insurance. Compare their rates with other companies of similar caliber to make sure they are comparable.

A positive correlation is usually found between a company’s rates and qualifications after completing the necessary due diligence. A large percentage of the mobile welding contractors that are compliant follow a similar pricing structure.

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Exceptions for Some Clients

While talking about the mobile welding rates, It is worthwhile to take the time to find a mobile service that fits all requirements for residential customers or small business owners who are not constantly reinvested in their income.

However, a large industrial company that must continuously invest to stay in business and expand doesn’t always experience this problem.

Many of them purchase goods and services in much more significant quantities than the average consumer. They cannot always be as picky about the amount of money they spend when the priority is finding a business that can meet their needs.

Although this is true, some companies hire more expensive mobile welders for reasons that do not always equate to better service.

Overall, charging a high or low rate for mobile welding services has its pros and cons. Different types of customers tend to gravitate toward these extremes, and each has valid reasons behind their preference. Finding a price somewhere in between is often the best option.

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Mobile Welding Rates in the UK

Mobile Welding Rates

Hourly fee

  • 1 man per hour – £60
  • 2 men per hours – £130

Daily fee

  • 1 man per day (8 hours) – £250
  • 2 men per day (8 hours) – £400

Mobile call out fee

Companies charge £80 for call-outs between 8 am-6 pm, and then the price increases overnight to £160.

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Working As an Employee (Single Hand Welding) Wages

Most welders work in this simple scenario, accounting for a large portion of their workforce.

Obtaining certifications and experience allows a welder to enter the job market for fabrication positions, pipe shops, and ironworking firms. Usually, their starting wages aren’t anything to write home about if they land an appointment at one of these companies. Personally, I worked for $18 an hour with various overtime opportunities available most weeks.

The company might not offer you a raise right away, but the paycheck isn’t terrible for a young person. There hasn’t been much I could do about companies promising raises that didn’t come to pass – other than keep working and waiting.

While talking about the mobile welding rates, An employee who has worked at the same company for 20 years can earn up to $30 an hour. Top welders in fabrication shops may make as much as $45 an hour. Shops and the areas where they are located influence the price (cost of living).

The starting pay for a regular fabricator at the last shop I worked at was $18 an hour. Our performance could be rewarded with a $2 raise each year if we were exceeding expectations. You will be paid approximately $28 to $30 per hour for that. My best fabricators were earning $30 an hour at my last job, but they hadn’t received a raise recently.

Mobile Welding Rates

Welders that work by hand do not have their equipment, such as welding machines. To complete their projects, you use the shop’s machines and consumables.

As a result, welders who work alone earn significantly less than welders who work for themselves. Buying a machine doesn’t cost much, but you also get paid less. Since you do not have a rig truck, this job pays $18-$30 an hour, but there is less growth potential.

Remember, these companies are still charging high rates for their shop labor. While your paycheck remains small, they are profiting from your working hours.

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Choosing Your Own Path – Being Your Own Boss

Mobile Welding Rates

Some welders with entrepreneurial tendencies find being an employee to be challenging. They begin dreaming about starting a business and eventually leave the shop when the time is right. The maximum wage when you work for yourself is unlimited, and if you want more money, then you’ll need to find more clients.

While speaking about the mobile welding rates, Welders who are employed as single-handers pay less than freelancers. When you use a company’s equipment, you do not have overhead costs, so you get less money.

Freelancers may find it challenging to afford the maintenance, the truck, and purchasing tools for welding. There are, however, better ways to charge – which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

You can complete different jobs wherever you are set up with your tools and gear. Rig welders will travel to other states throughout the year. It doesn’t matter where the work is located, and they will travel there.

Freelance Welders/Rig Welder Info

Mobile Welding Rates

Once your equipment needs to be purchased, you will have to do so. You will no longer be able to rely on the shop’s machines and tools, and you will have to keep every tool you need on the truck.

The first time they get their rig truck setup; most people can’t afford to pay cash. It is likely that finding a used welding machine and financing a used truck will be the only way out (at first). More power to those who can pay cash for all of the equipment necessary for their business. It may not be feasible for young men and women to pull this off.

This can be seen in the video below. A professional pipeline, Jake Schofield drives one of the most powerful trucks on the planet. A description of his humble beginnings is presented, along with the story of his first truck. As the old saying goes, “you have to spend money to make money”.

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As soon as he set up his first truck and tested it for the pipeline, he started making six figures at such a young age!

In addition to working in the oil field, he’s also set up for any job that requires mobility. If business slows in the oil field, he can do extra work on the side to pay his bills. Welding machines that utilize engines are very beneficial in this regard. Unlike other forms of welding, you are not dependent on another person’s power.

After a significant oil crash strikes, these rig welders can begin seeking contractors to do structural and repair work. Pay ranges from $75 to $150 per hour in these jobs.

Regardless of whether pipeline work interests you, you can still make a living driving a truck. Your truck can stay busy by doing other jobs that come your way if you have contacts with different contractors.

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To have a wide range of abilities is beneficial, but it can also be helpful to specialize. The word spread that I was good at repairing things, so much of my service calls involved repairing things. Despite my repair expertise, I was also able to do some fabrications and railings.

There is a lot of work in every city for people to build handrails and fences. Identifying a niche will take time and researching which projects are most in-demand will be required.

The mobile welding industry specializes in structural jobs. Steel is needed for almost every structure, so having connections could keep you busy on construction sites throughout the year.

A structural welding certification is required, however, for most projects. To work on these large fabrications, you must hold a stick welding certification.

Rig Welding Rates/Mobile Rates

For most people, $75 an hour is what comes to mind when thinking about welding rigs. It is not uncommon for rig welders to charge up to $100 an hour or more affordable cities. Some companies can charge mileage/service charges, and others won’t.

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Mobile Welding Rates

Welders who work on rigs and mobile equipment frequently have minimums. As a portable welding business, my minimum charge was $200 per 2 hours. It cost 85 dollars for the remaining 2 hours after the first two. 

Ironworker Rates (Union Work)

Welders also have the option of joining a union like the Ironworkers Union. You can advance through this program as an apprentice. Journeyman welders have the goal of becoming master welders.

Apprenticeship with the Ironworkers Union is paid. An hourly rate of $18 is typical. In addition to improving your pay rate, training and continuing to develop your skills will also increase your earning potential.

You will be paid upwards of $25 an hour once you have more structural certifications.

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Be aware that joining the ironworkers union is an important decision that must be made long-term. Union jobs are the only ones that you are allowed to work at (usually).

To obtain the highest-paying ironworking positions, you must live in a larger city. Despite being paid the most, ironworkers in New York City face harsh working conditions and high expenses.

Despite their high salaries, ironworkers of this caliber work ridiculous hours in bad weather and make upwards of $100,000 a year.

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Mobile Welding Rates Table :

Job TitlePay RateReason For Pay
Shop Welder/Employee
$18-$40 per hour
Experience/Time at company

Rig Welder/Mobile
$60-$100 per hour
Experience/Cost of living/City or rural areas

Pipeline Rig Welder
$100+ per hour
(per diem & truck usage)
Experience/Different oil companies/Networking connections

Ironworker (apprentice)
$18-$25 per hour
Apprentice/Cost of living

Ironworker (mid-level)
$25-$45 per hour
Experience/years on the job

Ironworker (Journeyman)
$45-$100 per hour
Highest Level/Veteran Welder Status

A Welder’s Essentials : The Welding Equipment a Welder Needs

Welding Helmet :

Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with 4C Lens Technology, Black
Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with 4C Lens Technology, Black

Welder Machine:

Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V, Green
Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V, Green

Safety Gloves:

RAPICCA 16 Inches,932℉, Leather Forge/Mig/Stick Welding Gloves Heat/Fire Resistant
RAPICCA 16 Inches,932℉, Leather Forge/Mig/Stick Welding Gloves Heat/Fire Resistant

Cotton Welding Jacket :

Black Stallion FN9-30C 30" 9oz. Navy FR Cotton Welding Jacket, Large
Black Stallion FN9-30C 30″ 9oz. Navy FR Cotton Welding Jacket, Large

Welding Pant:

Dickies Men's Original 874 Work Pant
Dickies Men’s Original 874 Work Pant

Welding Goggles

YESWELDER True Color Auto Darkening Welding Goggles

YESWELDER True Color Auto Darkening Welding Goggles

Welding Table:

WORX WX051 Pegasus Folding Work Table & Sawhorse
WORX WX051 Pegasus Folding Work Table & Sawhorse

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