How much does it cost to run a welder?
A welder costs about 13¢ per hour, 1.9¢ a day, $0.56 a month and $7 a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. MIG welders on 120 V draw up to 20 A while the arc is on; arc-on time is typically 20-40% of a session, so duty is lower.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 V flux-core / MIG | 2,400 | 13¢ | 1.9¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| 240 V MIG | 5,000 | 27¢ | 3.9¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| 240 V stick / TIG | 7,000 | 38¢ | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
At 1 hour a day, 1 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.10 | 1.9¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| 2 hours | 0.21 | 3.7¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| 4 hours | 0.41 | 7.4¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| 8 hours | 0.82 | 15¢ | $4.51 | $54 |
| 12 hours | 1.23 | 22¢ | $6.76 | $81 |
| 24 hours | 2.47 | 44¢ | $13.52 | $162 |
Cost to run a welder in every state
The same welder costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $16 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.3¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.4¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 9.6¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 9.6¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 9.7¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 9.8¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10.0¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 11¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 11¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 11¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 11¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 11¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 11¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 12¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 13¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 13¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 15¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 15¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 15¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 17¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 17¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 17¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 19¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 19¢ | $0.84 | $10 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 20¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 20¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 21¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 21¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 22¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 24¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 31¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
How to cut the cost
- Use inverter-based welders; they are 20-30% more efficient than transformer units.
- Turn the machine off between welding sessions; fans and transformers draw idle power.
- Use the lowest voltage/wire speed for good penetration on the material thickness.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Inverter welders waste less energy as heat than transformer welders.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welder | 2,400 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.56 | $7 |
| Air compressor | 1,500 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Bench grinder | 400 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.08 | $1 |
| Shop vac | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.23 | $3 |
| Table saw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.35 | $4 |
| Circular saw | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.29 | $4 |
| Tool battery charger | 100 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.29 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a welder per hour?
A welder drawing 2,400 watts uses 0.72 kWh per hour while running (30% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 8.9¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 31¢.
How much does it cost to run a welder per month?
At typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week), a welder costs about $0.56 a month and $7 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a welder use?
Most welders use 1,500 to 9,000 watts, depending on the setting (120 v flux-core / mig 2,400 W, 240 v mig 5,000 W, 240 v stick / tig 7,000 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a welder use?
About 0.10 kWh a day and 38 kWh a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week).
Does a welder use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 38 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a welder or an air compressor?
At typical use, a welder costs about $7 a year versus $7 for an air compressor. So the welder is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a welder?
- Use inverter-based welders; they are 20-30% more efficient than transformer units.
- Turn the machine off between welding sessions; fans and transformers draw idle power.
- Use the lowest voltage/wire speed for good penetration on the material thickness.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.