Fabrication/Arc/Argon Welder Salaries in Nigeria provide insights into the earning potential of professionals skilled in welding techniques across industries such as construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and shipbuilding.
Through precise execution, advanced skills, and creativity, welding has become one of the most sought after trades in Nigeria. This clearly underlines the importance of understanding Fabrication, Arc and Argon welding salary ranges as career opportunities, demand, and revenue prospects greatly differ for seasoned industry professionals and desperate beginners.
In case you are a beginner trying to set a benchmark for your career or a professional wanting to know the existing pay structures in Nigeria, this blog revolves around the various wages, determinants of salary, industrial salary differentiation, and geographical pay distinction pertaining to welders in Nigeria. Let us journey through!
Overview of Welding jobs in Nigeria
In Nigeria welding is practiced as a skilled trade that involves joining two metals or thermoplastics by melting them together. Welding professionals in Nigeria can work in:
- building and construction firms
- oil and gas companies (both offshore and onshore)
- shipyards and fabrication yards
- manufacturing plants
- infrastructural projects of the government
Industries like petroleum and heavy construction have a growing demand for certified welders.
Understanding the Differences: Fabricating, Argon and Arc welding
Before elaborating on fabrication/Arc/Argon welder salaries in Nigeria, I would like to emphasize the functions associated with each specialization.
- Fabrication Welders: Concerned with the construction of metal structures involving various operations such as cutting, bending, and assembling.
- Arc Welders: Apply an electric arc to the welding point and melt the metals which are to be joined together at the weld.
- Argon Welders (TIG Welders): Weld with the use of argon gas which shields the weld pool from outside atmospheric gas.
Average Fabrication/Arc/Argon Welder Salaries in Nigeria
Below is the breakdown of the different kind of welder’s average monthly salaries:
| Welder Type | Entry-Level Salary | Experienced Salary | Offshore/International Jobs |
| Fabrication Welder | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 | ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Arc Welder | ₦100,000 – ₦130,000 | ₦130,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦500,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
| Argon (TIG) Welder | ₦150,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦700,000 – ₦1,500,000 |
(Note: Figures can vary depending on company size, project type, and location.)
Salaries of Fabrication Welders in Nigeria
Fabrication welders, particularly in structural steel and offshore facilities, receive competitive wages.
- Monthly pay for entry-level fabrication welders is set from ₦120,000.
- Those with over 5 years of experience, however, can earn more than ₦300,000 per month.
- Welders who have specialized code certifications, such as ASME or AWS, often earn even higher amounts.
Most offshore fabrication jobs tend to provide additional bonuses, such as danger pay, overtime, and rotation pay.
Salaries of Arc Welders in Nigeria
Nigeria has many construction sites and industrial plants where arc welding work is done.
- The pay for beginner arc welders starts at ₦100,000 per month.
- Those dealing with high-pressure pipelines or critical structures can expect to earn more than ₦320,000.
- Those certified in 6G pipe welding and similar disciplines are paid better.
Certification, along with work experience, is what gets one the good-paying jobs.
Salaries of Argon (TIG) Welders in Nigeria
Among the welding professions, Argon welders tend to be the most specialized and renowned for earning the highest salaries.
- TIG welders start earning between ₦150,000 to ₦280,000 per month.
- TIG welders with experience, particularly in the oil and gas sector, can earn over ₦750,000.
- Those with international or offshore contracts can receive well above ₦1.5 million a month, depending on benefits.
For extremely skilled hands on precision-demanding TIG welding, companies are willing to pay higher.
Factors Influencing Welding Salaries in Nigeria
A welder’s pay in Nigeria is determined by the following factors:
- Certification level: Welders undergo various stages of training that unlock different pay grades, with certified welders bringing in the most.
- Experience: Spending a considerable duration working the welding trade sharpens the proverbial bargaining knife. More years spent means increased job negotiation power.
- Location: Cities such as Port Harcourt, Lagos, Warri, as well as offshore drilling rigs, claim the top spots for earning welders.
- Type of employer: Local firms provide meager pay compared to oil corporations or foreign contractors, thus, greatly affecting the employer sponsored salaries.
- Risk and complexity: Working conditions such as extreme risk, for instance, underwater welding, significantly increases worker claim amounts for hazardous work compensation.
Opportunities for Welders in Nigeria
Welders in Nigeria can work in:
- Oil and Gas Industry: Shell, Chevron, Total, Mobil, etc.
- Construction and Fabrication Firms: Julius Berger, CCECC, Dangote Group.
- Government Infrastructure Projects: Bridges, rail lines, refineries.
- Private Sector: Local workshops, automotive companies.
There are also abundant opportunities for certified welders in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Canada.
How to Increase Your Welding Salary in Nigeria
If you are a welder who wants to earn more money:
- Get international certifications such as ASME, AWS, or CSWIP.Â
- Focus on specialized welding techniques that are in high demand, such as TIG, MIG, and even underwater welding.
- Enroll in safety management and non-destructive testing (NDT) courses.Â
- Search for offshore welding positions that come with rotational benefits.
- Create a solid portfolio that highlights your very best pieces to attract more valuable contracts.Â
- Pursuing new knowledge and upgrading skills are always certain ways to increase earnings.Â
Conclusion on Fabrication/Arc/Argon Welder Salaries in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the backbone of infrastructural and industrial development rests with Fabrication, Arc, and Argon welders. While entry-level salaries appear low, skilled and certified welders, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and offshore and international markets, have the opportunity to enjoy exorbitant earnings.
For people pondering a career in welding in Nigeria, there is an immense pool of opportunities that comes with investing in skills, certifications, and experience, all of which guarantee a position at the pinnacle of the salary ladder.
Disclaimer: The salary information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and reflects general trends based on available data. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, company policies, and individual negotiation skills.
You may be interested in:
HR Officer Salary in Nigeria (2025): Trends and Statistics
Front Desk Officer salary in Nigeria (2025)
Heavy Equipment Mechanic Salary in Nigeria (2025)