How to Become a Welder (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

Updated October 20, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents

Want to become a welder? It usually takes 6 months to 2 years to complete a welding program or apprenticeship and earn your first certification. This guide breaks down every step—from training options and certifications to salaries and job types.

If you like building, repairing, or fabricating things that last, welding is one of the most hands-on and in-demand skilled trades in America.

Welders quite literally hold the world together—from bridges and pipelines to aircraft and skyscrapers.

Welder Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $51,000 $24.52 per hour
Job Outlook 2.2% +9,900 jobs (2024–2034)
45,600 openings/yr
Data Year: 2024 Source: BLS OEWS

What Do Welders Actually Do?

Welders use heat and electrical current to fuse metal parts together. It’s a blend of precision, craftsmanship, and technical skill. Depending on the job, welders may:

  • Interpret blueprints and engineering drawings
  • Operate MIG, TIG, Stick, or Flux-core welding systems
  • Measure, cut, and align metal components
  • Inspect and test welds for structural integrity
  • Work with stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and exotic alloys

Many welders specialize in high-skill areas such as pipe welding, underwater welding, aerospace fabrication, or robotic welding.

Welding Salary & Job Outlook

Based on BLS occupation: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121)
Data Year: 2024 • U.S.

Median Pay (2024) $51,000 $24.52 per hour
Job Outlook (2024–2034) 2.2% +9,900 jobs (2024–2034) • 45,600 annual openings

Mean Pay (2024)

$55,100 per year $26.49 per hour

Wage Percentiles

10th Percentile $38,130

$18.33 per hour

25th Percentile $45,580

$21.91 per hour

75th Percentile $61,610

$29.62 per hour

90th Percentile $75,850

$36.47 per hour

Employment Outlook

2024 457,300
2034 467,200

Employment: 457,300 → 467,200 jobs by 2034 (2.2%)

45,600 projected openings each year

Additional Details

Share of U.S. Employment
0.3%
Employment per 1,000 Jobs
2.75
Employment RSE
0.7%
Projected Annual Openings
45,600

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. www.bls.gov/oes

How to Become a Welder (5 Steps)

Here’s the most common path to becoming a professional welder:

  1. Earn a high school diploma or GED
    Take math, mechanical drawing, and shop classes if available.

  2. Complete a welding training program (6–18 months)
    Learn techniques like MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-core welding in a trade school or technical college.

Welding Programs Near You

  1. Earn certifications through AWS or NCCER
    These prove your skills meet national standards and open doors to higher-paying jobs.

  2. Gain on-the-job experience or an apprenticeship
    Get paid while you perfect your technique under experienced professionals.

  3. Specialize or pursue advanced certifications
    Focus on pipe, aerospace, underwater, or inspection work for higher pay and mobility.

steps-to-become-a-welder

How to Get Trained Without Going Broke

Training doesn’t have to mean debt. Many programs are low-cost, short-term, or even paid apprenticeships.

Your main options:

  • Trade School Welding Programs – Structured classroom + lab training with job placement
  • Apprenticeships (Union or Non-union) – Earn while you learn
  • Military or Manufacturer Training – Free, accredited options for veterans or employees

💡 Some employers even reimburse tuition or provide free tools after a probationary period.

Certification & Licensing Requirements

While most states don’t require a license, employers nearly always expect professional certifications such as:

  • AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Certification
  • NCCER Welding Performance Certification
  • ASME Section IX for pressure vessel work
  • Commercial Diving/Underwater Welding (for marine work)

Certifications can dramatically boost earning potential, especially for pipe or industrial welders.

State-by-State Welding Requirements

Each state has its own rules for welders—some require performance tests, others rely on employer-based qualifications.

State Step-by-Step Guide
Florida Become a Welder in Florida
Texas Become a Welder in Texas
California Become a Welder in California

Explore more: All State Licensing Pages »

Skills That Make Great Welders

  • Excellent hand-eye coordination
  • Ability to visualize and follow technical drawings
  • Precision and patience
  • Strong focus on safety and detail
  • Physical strength and stamina

Welding is an art and a science—it rewards those who care about doing things right.

Pros & Cons of the Welding Trade

Pros:

  • High earning potential with specialty skills
  • Huge demand in construction, energy, and manufacturing
  • Short, affordable training options
  • Opportunities to travel for large projects

Cons:

  • Can be hot, confined, or physically demanding
  • Safety gear and precautions are essential
  • Certifications require renewal and ongoing testing

Start Your Welding Career Today

Whether you’re building skyscrapers, repairing pipelines, or fabricating race cars, welding is a trade that builds tangible, lasting results.

It’s time to turn your spark into a career.

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.