How to become a welder in the US: 2026 complete guide

Welding is one of the most accessible high-skill trades in the country. You can complete training in as little as 7 months, earn a paycheck that exceeds the national median wage without a four-year degree, and build toward specializations that pay well into six figures. Yet most people still picture it as low-skill, low-pay work. That perception gap is your opportunity.

The median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $51,000 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and despite a projected 2% employment growth rate through 2034, about 45,600 openings are expected every year over the decade, most driven by retirements. 

That retirement wave is the story most articles miss. The average age of a US welder is currently 55, with roughly 30% of the workforce reaching retirement eligibility by late 2025. 

The American Welding Society projects that 330,000 new welding professionals will be needed by 2028. For people entering the field today, that is not a challenge but an opportunity.

This guide covers everything you need to know about what welders actually do, the four training paths available, how AWS certification works, what state licensing requires, what you will earn at each career stage, and how to reach the highest-paying specializations in the trade.

What does a welder do?

Welders use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, cut, repair, and fabricate metal parts and structures. They work across industries as different as shipbuilding, aerospace, oil and gas pipelines, auto manufacturing, construction, and custom metal fabrication.

On a typical day, a welder might:

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and welding symbols
• Select and set up welding equipment for the job at hand
• Weld metal components using processes like MIG, TIG, stick, or flux-core
• Inspect welds for defects and verify dimensions against specifications
• Operate cutting equipment, plasma cutters, oxy-fuel torches, laser systems
• Complete documentation for weld quality and code compliance
• Maintain and calibrate welding equipment

The work environment varies enormously. Structural welders work on construction sites outdoors, sometimes at height. Pipeline welders travel to remote locations across multiple states. 

Aerospace welders work in climate-controlled precision environments. Automotive welders operate robotic welding systems on manufacturing floors. Understanding which environment suits you is a meaningful part of choosing your specialization.

The 2% growth question: Is welding actually a good career?

Employment of welders is projected to grow just 2% from 2024 to 2034,  slower than the average for all occupations. That number gets cited often, and it causes many people to hesitate. It should not.

The 2% figure measures net new jobs created. The 45,600 annual openings figure measures the total number of jobs available each year. This includes new positions and replacement positions as workers retire or change careers. 

Those are two completely different measurements, and for someone entering the workforce today, the second number is what matters.

According to the American Welding Society, around 330,000 new welding professionals will be needed in the US by 2028, with 82,500 welding jobs expected to open each year between 2025 and 2029. 

That level of demand is driven almost entirely by retirements. For every five skilled welders retiring, only two are entering the field. That is a structural supply gap that is good news for new entrants and consistently pushes wages upward.

The BLS 2% growth number is technically accurate. It does not tell you that welding is a bad career. It tells you that a massive wave of retirements, not industry growth, is creating the opportunity. That distinction is important for making an informed decision.

Four training paths into welding

There is no single way to become a welder. Each path has different timelines, costs, and outcomes. Understanding the trade-offs clearly is more useful than a generic recommendation.

1. Trade school certificate program (7 months – 1 year)

The fastest formal training path. Certificate programs teach core welding processes (MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core), blueprint reading, metallurgy basics, and safety. Most programs prepare students for AWS Certified Welder (CW) testing.

Cost: $3,000 – $15,000, depending on school and state. 

Best for: People who want to enter the workforce quickly and are willing to pay tuition. Entry-level outcome: Qualified for shop helper, manufacturing welder, and fabrication roles immediately on completion

2. Community college associate degree (2 years)

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Welding Technology adds business, math, and broader technical coursework to the core welding curriculum. Takes longer but produces graduates who are better positioned for supervisory roles, welding inspection paths, and positions requiring engineering awareness.

Cost: $2,000 – $12,000 total (community college in-state rates vary significantly) 

Best for: Students who want broader credentials, have access to federal financial aid, or are considering management or business ownership long-term.

Entry-level outcome: Strong foundation for advancement toward lead welder and inspector roles

3. Registered apprenticeship (3 – 4 years)

Apprenticeships pay you to learn from day one. You work alongside journeyman welders on real job sites while attending classroom instruction, typically one or two days per week. Apprenticeships are sponsored by unions (including the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and UA pipefitters locals), contractors, and industry associations.

Cost: $0,  apprentices receive wages throughout, starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate.

Best for: People who cannot afford a tuition gap, prefer learning by doing, and are willing to commit to a longer training timeline.

Entry-level outcome: Journeyman credential recognized across all 50 states upon completion

For the full breakdown of welding apprenticeship programs, where to find them, how to apply, and what you earn at each stage, see our complete welding apprenticeship guide.

4. On-the-job training (varies)

Some entry-level welders begin as helpers or assistants in shops or manufacturing facilities and acquire skills through direct instruction from experienced colleagues. This path is less structured, slower to produce certifications, and less competitive in the job market without formal credentials, but it is a valid starting point for people already employed in adjacent roles.

Training path	Duration	Cost	Paid during training?	Best for
Trade school certificate	7 months – 1 year	$3,000–$15,000	No	Fastest entry to work
Community college AAS	2 years	$2,000–$12,000	No	Broader credentials, aid eligible
Registered apprenticeship	3–4 years	$0 (earn wages)	Yes	No debt, highest long-term pay
On-the-job training	Variable	$0	Yes (as a worker)	Already in the adjacent field

How to become a welder step by step

To become a welder, follow these steps from no experience to a working professional.

Step 1: Get your high school diploma or GED. All formal training programs and apprenticeships require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. If you are still in school, take every available math, physics, and shop class. These directly support your welding coursework.

Step 2: Choose your training path. Decide between trade school, community college, or apprenticeship based on your timeline, financial situation, and learning preference. If you need income immediately, an apprenticeship is your path. If you can commit 7–12 months full-time with savings or financial aid, a trade school certificate is the fastest route to entry-level certification.

Step 3: Complete your welding training. During training, you will cover:

• Core welding processes: MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), Stick (SMAW), Flux-core (FCAW)
• Blueprint reading and welding symbol interpretation
• Metallurgy: properties of steel, aluminum, stainless, and other weldable materials
• Weld inspection: visual inspection, destructive, and non-destructive testing concepts
• Safety: OSHA standards, fire watch, PPE, ventilation, and electrical safety
• Equipment setup, maintenance, and calibration

Step 4: Earn your AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential. AWS certification is the industry standard credential that employers recognize nationwide. It validates your ability to produce welds that meet specific code standards for a given process, position, and material. 

Most trade school programs include AWS CW exam preparation in their curriculum. Testing takes place at AWS Accredited Test Facilities (ATFs) located across the country.

Step 5: Get your first welding job. With a training certificate and AWS CW credential in hand, you are qualified for entry-level positions, including fabrication shop welder, manufacturing welder, and structural welder helper. 

Apply to HVAC contractors, fabrication shops, manufacturing plants, structural steel companies, and industrial maintenance firms in your area.

Step 6: Build experience, then pursue advanced certifications. The path from entry-level to high-earning specialist runs through documented experience and stacked certifications. 

After 2–3 years of documented welding hours, you become eligible for specialized process and position tests, including the 6G pipe certification that opens pipeline and high-pressure applications. 

After 5+ years and further education, the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential becomes available, and with it comes a significant salary step-up.

Types of welding and which to learn first

There are more than 100 welding processes in commercial use, but four dominate the trade and cover the vast majority of job requirements.

Process	Full name	Best used for	Difficulty	Pay potential
MIG (GMAW)	Gas Metal Arc Welding	Manufacturing, automotive, fabrication	Entry-level	$45,000–$65,000
Stick (SMAW)	Shielded Metal Arc Welding	Structural, pipeline, field work	Entry-level	$48,000–$75,000
TIG (GTAW)	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding	Aerospace, food-grade, precision work	Advanced	$55,000–$90,000
Flux-Core (FCAW)	Flux-Cored Arc Welding	Heavy fabrication, shipbuilding	Moderate	$50,000–$72,000

Source: Industry salary benchmarks; BLS OEWS May 2024.

What to learn first: MIG welding is the most common starting point because it is intuitive to learn and covers the widest range of entry-level manufacturing positions. 

Stick welding is essential for anyone targeting structural or pipeline work and should be your second process. 

TIG is slower to learn but opens doors to the highest-paying precision applications, such as aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and food-grade stainless fabrication.

The career-maximizing strategy is to learn MIG and Stick through your training program, then specialize in TIG or pipe welding based on your target industry.

AWS welding certification: what it is and why you need it

AWS certification is not a license, but a performance credential issued by the American Welding Society, the largest welding professional organization in the world. It proves that your welds meet specific code standards under controlled testing conditions.

Most employers look for welders who have been trained and certified, and certification is offered by several different welding organizations, with AWS being the most widely recognized nationwide. 

The AWS Certified Welder (CW) is the entry-level credential. Testing is practical; you produce a weld sample at an AWS Accredited Test Facility, and it is evaluated visually and through bend or radiographic testing. 

There is no written exam. Each test covers a specific process, position, and material; a welder certified in 3G vertical plate MIG is not automatically certified in 6G pipe.

AWS CW credentials and ASME Section IX certification are accepted nationwide — your qualifications transfer to all 50 states. 

Beyond CW, the AWS credential ladder includes:

• AWS certified welding inspector (CWI): The most respected advanced credential. Requires 5+ years of documented welding experience plus a rigorous written and practical examination. CWIs earn $80,000–$100,000+ annually.
• 6G pipe certification: Not technically an AWS credential tier, but the industry’s most respected performance test. A welder who passes 6G (all-position pipe welding) is qualified for the highest-paying field welding roles.
• AWS certified robotic arc welding (CRAW): Emerging credential for technicians operating automated welding systems. It is growing in demand as manufacturing automation expands.

For the complete breakdown of every AWS credential, exam structure, costs, and which to pursue at each career stage, see our full AWS welding certification guide.

State licensing requirements: What varies by location

Unlike many other trades, welders are rarely licensed at the state level. Instead, regulations often involve contractor licensing, local qualifications, or employer-based certification.

The practical reality breaks into three categories:

In most states, no state welding license is required. The majority of US states require only AWS or employer-verified certification to work as a welder. Your AWS CW credential from testing in Texas is valid on a job site in Michigan. 

This national portability is a significant advantage of the trade over fields like electrical or HVAC, which have state-specific licensing structures.

However, in some states, additional requirements apply. States including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have additional certification requirements beyond standard AWS credentials. 

Requirements vary; for example, New York City requires a separate Department of Buildings welder qualification for structural work within city limits. Oklahoma requires a state welder test and a $25 registration fee for independent welders. Louisiana’s offshore and pipeline industry has its own qualification standards layered on top of AWS credentials.

Structural and pressure vessel welding,  federal and code requirements everywhere. Regardless of state, anyone welding boilers, pressure vessels, or structural steel on public projects must meet code-specific qualification standards. 

ASME Section IX certification is required nationwide for boiler and pressure vessel welding. AWS D1.1 governs structural steel welding on most commercial construction projects.

The practical takeaway: For most welders in most states, getting AWS certified is sufficient to work legally and compliantly. 

Before working in any state, verify the specific requirements for your intended industry, structural, pipeline, pressure vessel, and municipal work, as they all carry additional code requirements beyond basic AWS CW certification.

Welder salary by experience and specialization

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for welders was $51,000 in May 2024. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,130, and the highest 10% earned more than $75,850. U.S. 

Here is how earnings progress across experience levels and specializations:

TIG/precision welder	Typical annual salary	Key credentials
Entry-level welder (0–2 years)	$38,000 – $48,000	AWS CW (one process)
Mid-level welder (2–5 years)	$48,000 – $62,000	AWS CW (multiple processes)
Senior welder / lead (5–10 years)	$60,000 – $75,000	AWS CW + 6G pipe or specialty
Structural welder	$52,000 – $72,000	AWS D1.1 qualification
Pipeline welder	$65,000 – $120,000	6G pipe certification, travel required
AWS CWI, 5+ years of experience	$58,000 – $90,000	AWS CW GTAW, specialty materials
Aerospace welder	$60,000 – $92,000	AWS/NADCAP specialty certs
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)	$80,000 – $105,000	AWS CWI, 5+ years experience
Underwater welder	$54,000 – $300,000+	Commercial diving + welding certs

For the full state-by-state salary breakdown with regional market context, see our welder salary by state guide.

Career advancement: from entry-level to six figures

The welding career ladder is clearer than most trades, with well-defined credential milestones at each stage.

Entry-level welder (Year 0–2) You work on one or two processes, building speed, consistency, and positional competency. Your goal is documenting hours, pursuing additional AWS CW tests in new positions and processes, and identifying which specialization aligns with your interests and local market demand.

Mid-level welder (Year 2–5) By this stage, most welders have AWS certification in multiple processes and at least one structural or pipe position. You take on more complex work, begin reading blueprints independently, and start accumulating the documented experience hours that unlock advanced certifications.

Senior welder/lead (Year 5–10) Senior welders often supervise other welders, mentor apprentices, and handle the most technically demanding work on a job. The 6G pipe certification, testing the ability to weld pipe in all positions, including overhead, typically happens in this window and is the credential that most significantly increases earning potential for field welders.

Certified Welding Inspector (Year 7+) The CWI is the professional ceiling for most welders who want to advance without leaving the field entirely. CWIs earn $80,000–$105,000 nationally. They inspect welds for code compliance, sign off on quality documentation, and take on significant liability for project safety. 

The path requires 5 years of documented welding work experience plus passing one of the most demanding exams in the trades. 

Specialist and contractor paths: Pipeline welders, underwater welders, aerospace welders, and nuclear welders represent the elite earning tier. These specializations require additional certifications beyond basic AWS CW, documented positional and material experience, and often a willingness to travel or work in demanding physical environments. 

Pipeline welders regularly earn $80,000–$120,000 with overtime and per diem, often working seasonal cycles in remote locations. 

Physical demands and job conditions

Welding involves sustained physical demands that matter for long-term career sustainability. You will spend significant time in awkward positions, crouching, lying flat, working overhead, and contorting into confined spaces. 

Back, neck, and joint strain are common in welders with long careers, and it is worth considering ergonomics from your first day on the job.

Welding produces fumes that, with inadequate ventilation, pose real health risks over long exposure. 

The metals being welded, particularly galvanized steel, stainless steel, and chrome-containing alloys, produce fumes associated with lung disease and, in some cases, more serious health outcomes. 

Proper respiratory protection (respirator, not just a dust mask) and adequate ventilation are not optional; they are the difference between a sustainable decades-long career and a shortened one. OSHA standards regulate fume exposure limits; reputable employers follow them.

The ultraviolet light produced by the arc causes arc eye (photokeratitis) if proper eye protection is not worn consistently, it results to a painful but preventable injury. 

Burns from spatter are part of daily work and are managed with appropriate PPE, including leather gloves, a welding jacket, and proper footwear.

None of these realities makes welding a bad career. They make it a career that rewards people who take safety seriously from day one. The majority of experienced welders with long, healthy careers have one thing in common: they never cut corners on PPE, and they insist on adequate ventilation at every job site, regardless of employer pressure

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