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Welder

Welder programs in the United States

These are national ranges — not a local paycheck. Open a state for tuition and first-year wage that belong to a real market.

Updated Apr 2026

BLS Occupational Employment — Welders — $48,940

U.S. median annual wage (most recent OEWS) · May 2026

Compare by state

Typical paths nationwide

These are program types, not a specific local. Paid apprenticeships are listed first.

01

UA pipe welder / fitter apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid OJT. Welding booth time included in related instruction.

First-year wage

$17–$23/hr

First-year fitter/welder percentage of local scale.

Term

4–5 years

Pipe welders in industrial markets often $70k–$100k+ with overtime

United Association local JATCs·Nationwide

Source: UA / Apprenticeship.gov welder / pipefitter (2026-04)

02

Ironworkers / boilermaker welding apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid OJT. Travel common.

First-year wage

$18–$24/hr

Plus possible per diem on travel jobs.

Term

3–4 years

Journey structural / industrial packages vary sharply by local

Ironworkers and Boilermakers JATCs·Nationwide (local JATCs)

Source: Ironworkers / Boilermakers public apprenticeship notes (2026-03)

03

Public technical college welding certificate

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$5,000–$15,000

In-state certificate. Consumables and PPE extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid booth time. Entry structural welders often $18–$24/hr.

Term

6–18 months

National welder median roughly $48k–$52k; pipe work higher

Community & technical colleges·Nationwide

Source: College Scorecard welding programs (2026-02)

04

Private welding school

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$12,000–$25,000

Published tuition before aid. Gear extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid training. Verify AWS test pass rates independently.

Term

3–9 months

Not consistently reported

Private career schools·Nationwide

Source: Published catalogs (composite) (2026-03)

Other U.S. comparisons

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