# How to Become a Welder

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers join metal parts using heat, working in manufacturing, construction, shipyards, and energy. Median pay is **$53,750 per year** ($25.84/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$53,750/year ($25.84/hour)
      Entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalent
      Training pathTrade school certificate plus on-the-job training
      Job outlook2% growth 2025-35; steady replacement openings
      Jobs in the US470,000+

## The path in, step by step

- Take a 6-to-18-month welding program at a trade school or community college covering MIG, TIG, and stick.
- Earn AWS certifications (such as D1.1 structural) which employers actually test for.
- Start in production or structural welding; specialize into pipe welding, underwater welding, or aerospace TIG for big pay jumps.
- Traveling industrial shutdown and pipeline work pays premiums but means life on the road.

## How long it takes

Under a year of school to employable; 3 to 5 years to high-paying specialized work.

## What it costs

Programs typically cost $5,000 to $15,000; certification test fees are a few hundred dollars each.

## What working tradespeople say

- TIG and pipe welding pay far more than basic MIG production work; specialize deliberately.
- Your weld test coupon is your resume; practice until your test pieces pass consistently.
- Underwater and rig welding pay six figures but carry real danger and travel demands.
- Union halls (Ironworkers, Boilermakers, UA) run their own welding apprenticeships with pay.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

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- [**Truck Driver (CDL)**$58,640/yr median](/trades/truck-driver/)
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- [**Elevator Installer**$109,910/yr median](/trades/elevator-installer/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does welder pay?

The national median is $53,750 per year ($25.84/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a welder?

Under a year of school to employable; 3 to 5 years to high-paying specialized work.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.