To become a welder in the US, you usually need a high school diploma plus technical training from a vocational school, community college or welding school, or an employer-based apprenticeship. Many employers prefer trained or certified candidates, and some states and localities require welders to be licensed.
You don't need a degree. But the training you choose shapes how quickly you're hired, which is where people often go wrong.
The facts here come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers, read on 26 October 2026.
Welder pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $53,750 a year, $25.84 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $39,240 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $77,530 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 437,700 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 2%, slower than average |
| Openings each year | About 40,300 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The route in, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent. Courses in blueprint reading, shop math and mechanical drawing help, and so does understanding electricity.
- Get technical training. BLS lists high school technical classes, vocational-technical institutes, community colleges and private welding schools. The US Armed Forces offer welding training too.
- Or apply for an employer-based apprenticeship. Some take entry-level workers with no experience, and others target people who've finished a welding program.
- Complete OSHA's required training on electrical safety. BLS says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires it.
- Earn certification. Professional organisations offer courses leading to general certification, and some employers require general or specific certification for particular jobs.
- Check whether your state or locality requires a welding licence, since requirements vary.
The hiring detail most people miss
Some employers will hire you with no experience and train you on the job. But BLS says many prefer workers who've completed training or credentialing programs. And even with formal training, entry-level workers still get several months of on-the-job training.
So a short course isn't the finish line. It's what gets you in the door. Some employers also pay the cost of training and testing for their employees, so it's worth asking about that when you apply, especially if a job needs a specific certification.
Low growth, lots of openings
This is the number that confuses people. BLS projects only 2% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, slower than average. Yet it also projects about 40,300 openings every year. Most of those come from the need to replace workers who change jobs or retire.
So welding isn't a fast-growing field, but it's a big one, with 437,700 jobs, and there's steady turnover. For a new welder, that turnover is what matters most.
Where welders work and what it pays
Manufacturing employs 63% of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers. Specialty trade contractors come next at 8 in every 100.
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Specialty trade contractors | $59,440 |
| Repair and maintenance | $56,080 |
| Manufacturing | $51,210 |
So the biggest employer pays the lowest median of the three: $51,210 in manufacturing against $59,440 with specialty trade contractors, as of October 2026. BLS says wages also vary with experience, skill level and the size of the company.
What the job asks of you
- Working with fumes, very hot materials and the intense light of the arc, with a helmet, hearing protection and heat-resistant gloves.
- Lifting heavy objects and working in awkward positions, such as overhead.
- Working outdoors in any weather, or indoors in confined areas, sometimes on scaffolds high off the ground.
- Shift work, since many manufacturers run two or three 8 to 12 hour shifts a day.
If you're weighing skilled trades, our guide to blue-collar jobs for women compares trades that pay well, and our look at the best ERP for manufacturing shows the systems many manufacturers run on.
Picking a training route
Each route suits a different starting point. A high school technical class is a low-commitment way to find out whether you like the work. A vocational-technical institute, community college or private welding school gives you more structured training before you apply for jobs. An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn, and BLS says some are open to people with no experience at all. If you're thinking about the military, the US Armed Forces offer welding-related training too.
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Whichever you choose, ask what certification it prepares you for, because some employers want a specific certification for a particular job. And make sure the program covers electrical safety, since OSHA requires that training.
How long it takes
It depends on your route. A training program at a vocational school or community college comes first for many people, then several months of on-the-job training once you're hired. An apprenticeship combines the two. Certification for particular jobs can come later, sometimes paid for by your employer.
My verdict
Welding is a practical trade you can enter without a degree, with about 40,300 openings a year even though growth is slow. Get some formal training first, because many employers prefer it, and expect a few months of learning on the job after that. If you want better pay than the median, look at specialty trade contractors and repair work rather than assuming manufacturing is the only option. And keep adding certifications as you go, since some jobs ask for a specific one and employers may pay for the testing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a welder?
It depends on the route. Many people complete a technical training program, then get several months of on-the-job training. Apprenticeships combine both.
Do you need a licence to be a welder?
In some states and localities, yes. BLS says requirements vary, so check with your state or local licensing agency.
Do welders need certification?
Not always, but some employers require general or specific certification for particular jobs, and some pay for the training and testing.
How much do welders make?
BLS reports a median of $53,750 a year for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Is welding a good career to get into?
BLS projects only 2% growth from 2025 to 2035, but about 40,300 openings a year, mostly from workers who change jobs or retire.
Can you learn welding in the military?
Yes. BLS says the US Armed Forces offer welding-related training.
