Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer
Trades/Construction · $53,750 median · ~8 weeks to start, up to ~3 years training · Structurally ineligible for Workforce Pell
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS/OOH 2025), last reviewed August 20, 2026. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Entry welder helpers $32-42K at general fabrication shops
- Experienced general welder $42-58K
- Certified structural welder (AWS D1.1) $52-75K
- Specialty welders (TIG, pipe, underwater, aerospace) $65-105K+
- Senior pipe welder on industrial/petrochemical projects $85-130K with significant overtime
- Rig welder (oil/gas, owner of own equipment) $90-160K+ in field conditions
- Underwater welder (rare specialty) $80-200K+ depending on conditions
- Welding inspector (CWI) $85-115K transitioning out of physical welding. AWS certifications are the primary credential — D1.1 structural, D1.5 bridge, D1.2 aluminum, all command premiums. Boilermakers and specialty pipe welding are highest-paying specialties.
Workforce Pell eligibility
Not eligible for Workforce Pell
Training
That's a wide span on purpose: you can start working after a short pre-apprenticeship or entry course, while the longer figure reflects a full apprenticeship. The career ladder below breaks the journey into steps.
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Common sponsors: Ironworkers, Boilermakers, Pipefitters (UA welding tracks), ABC, individual employers
An associate degree or certificate — usually the fastest accredited credential, far cheaper than a four-year school, and often Workforce Pell–eligible.
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
Certified Welder (per process, e.g., D1.1 Structural Steel)
American Welding Society (AWS)
Most-recognized welding certification. Specific code certs (D1.1 structural, D17.1 aerospace, etc.) commanded by job type.
Source ↗OSHA 10 (General Industry or Construction)
OSHA-authorized trainer
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- $1,500–$25,000
- Training pays for itself in
- about 6 months
The low end is the cheapest route in — a paid apprenticeship, community college, or employer-paid program (sometimes free); the high end is a private or for-profit school. The range is about which route you take, not extra certifications.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the Certified Welder (per process, e.g., D1.1 Structural Steel).
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
Welder Helper / Entry Welder
Entry$35,000Entry; fabrication shop work; learning curve 6-12 months
Training: Community college welding program (12-26 weeks) + NCCER Core + AWS basic welder qualification
Certified Structural Welder
Year 2$55,000Certified welder commands premium; D1.1 is the foundational structural cert
Training: AWS D1.1 structural cert (industry standard) + 2 years shop experience
Specialty Welder (TIG, Pipe, Aerospace)
Year 5$75,000TIG, pipe welding, aerospace specialty: 30-50% wage premium over general welding
Training: AWS specialty certs (D1.2 aluminum, D1.5 bridge, ASME B31 pipe) + advanced positions (6G, all-position)
Senior Pipe Welder OR Welding Inspector (CWI)
Year 10$95,000CWI transitions out of physical welding into inspection/QC at ~$95-115K; senior pipe welders at petrochemical sites $100-145K with overtime
Training: Senior pipe welding at industrial sites OR AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) exam
In your state
State licensure
No state-specific licensure requirements documented in corpus.
Data limitations
- • BLS OEWS May 2025 per-MSA and per-state welder wage tables not yet inspected
- • Individual Ironworkers and Boilermakers Local application windows not directly verified
- • Specialty wage data (pipeline, underwater, nuclear) not separately quantified
Common questions
How much does a Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer make?
The median wage is $53,750 per year (BLS OEWS 2025). Most earn between $39,240 and $77,530. Actual pay varies by region, employer, and experience.
How long does it take to become a Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer?
Typical training runs about 8 weeks to get started, and up to about 3 years to reach the top of the field. This is a non-degree path — no four-year college degree is required. Many people earn a paid wage during an apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.
Do you need a college degree to become a Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer?
No. Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer is a non-degree career path — you qualify through training, certification, and/or on-the-job experience rather than a four-year degree.
Is Welder, Cutter, Solderer, or Brazer eligible for Workforce Pell funding?
Not structurally — the typical program runs longer than the federal Workforce Pell hour cap, so it generally won't qualify for Workforce Pell. Other financial aid may still apply.
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