How to Become a Certified Welder in 4 Steps (2023 Guide)
Welding is a practice that many people know and is used in different contexts, from domestic to industrial, for different purposes. This is more than a type of joint that allows you to permanently join solid metallic elements initially separated from each other, allowing an authentic continuity of material as if it were a single object.
But, who will get the certificate of the welder, and How much is the welder’s salary? The salary of a welder depends on the country. But the average salary of the welder is around 20$ to 4000$ depending on the welder skills.
However, there is also the most object you need to carry out the welding is the welder, which is present today the different shapes and sizes. Each of these models is used for other purposes and is made specifically to perform different jobs or used according to the precision that the single job requires.
We have discussed the welder certification process and the salary of the welder below:
The Figure of the Welder
As it is easy to imagine, welding is not a very simple practice but, on the contrary, requires very specific skills but, above all, great skill. Who performs the welding? The welder, of course, is nothing more than a skilled worker who deals with the cutting and welding of metals. This type of work always occurs with certain protection, guaranteed by special equipment that allows the welder to work in complete safety.
The areas of the outlet of the welder figure are different (such as construction sites or shipyards, body shops, or metalworking factories), just as the artifacts with which a welder finds himself working are different. The welder’s job consists of melting metal materials (for example, aluminum, steel, nickel, copper, etc.)
The energy generated by the heat coming from a welding torch or an electrode depends on the type of welder the worker is called to employ.
What is the Welder’s License, And How to Obtain it?
It is precisely for this reason that, to carry out this work from 2014, it is mandatory to have a real welder’s license. This license confers a welder’s qualification dictated by European and international reference standards. Its usefulness is to certify the welder’s skills and technical-operational skills.
The welder’s license can be obtained by attending a specific course or taking the qualification exam. However, the training course, both in content and technical training, best prepares the welder to pass the final qualification exam.
Additionally to the theoretical modules that a welder is expected to follow, such as documentation required or safety rules to be followed, this course includes a practical test or execution of welding.
The result will then be subjected to laboratory tests, and if successful, the final qualification certification is delivered. With this qualification, the welder is assured of a tested training path and demonstrates that he has the professional ability to meet planning and manufacturing requirements.
Usually, the license lasts three years. At the end of the three years, the welder is called to renew the qualification, which he can obtain by carrying out a welding test similar to that carried out during the certification phase.
Certified Welder Salary: How Much Does It Pay?
Welders earn an average salary of $40,970 per year.
There is an average hourly wage of $19.70 per hour.
Those who have earned higher certifications and have years of experience may earn up to $47919.
Annually National Welders Average Salary
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
| Alabama | $36,960 |
| Alaska | $63,370 |
| Arizona | $38,090 |
| Arkansas | $41,120 |
| California | $41,500 |
| Colorado | $42,660 |
| Connecticut | $43,150 |
| Florida | $40,060 |
| Georgia | $39,110 |
| Illinois | $35,450 |
| Indiana | $34,950 |
| Iowa | $40,280 |
| Kansas | $35,030 |
| Kentucky | $48,370 |
| Louisiana | $51,660 |
| Maine | $39,990 |
| Maryland | $46,780 |
| Massachusetts | $48,220 |
| Michigan | $40,360 |
| Minnesota | $46,670 |
| Mississippi | $38,470 |
| Missouri | $35,490 |
| Montana | $32,420 |
| Nebraska | $44,360 |
| Nevada | $37,010 |
| New Hampshire | $39,320 |
| New Jersey | $33,450 |
| New York | $45,330 |
| North Carolina | $41,400 |
| Ohio | $41,350 |
| Oklahoma | $36,610 |
| Oregon | $47,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,120 |
| Rhode Island | $41,720 |
| South Carolina | $38,850 |
| South Dakota | $43,590 |
| Tennessee | $38,870 |
| Texas | $37,100 |
| Utah | $37,760 |
| Virginia | $42,450 |
| Washington | $51,300 |
| West Virginia | $35,020 |
| Wisconsin | $39,820 |
Monthly National Welders Average Salary
| State | Avg. Monthly Salary |
| Alabama | $3,000 |
| Alaska | $5,250 |
| Arizona | $3,167 |
| Arkansas | $3,417 |
| California | $3,417 |
| Colorado | $3,500 |
| Connecticut | $3,583 |
| Florida | $3,333 |
| Georgia | $3,250 |
| Illinois | $2,917 |
| Indiana | $2,833 |
| Iowa | $3,333 |
| Kansas | $2,917 |
| Kentucky | $4,000 |
| Louisiana | $4,250 |
| Maine | $3,250 |
| Maryland | $3,833 |
| Massachusetts | $4,000 |
| Michigan | $3,333 |
| Minnesota | $3,833 |
| Mississippi | $3,167 |
| Missouri | $2,917 |
| Montana | $2,667 |
| Nebraska | $3,667 |
| Nevada | $3,083 |
| New Hampshire | $3,250 |
| New Jersey | $2,750 |
| New York | $3,750 |
| North Carolina | $3,417 |
| Ohio | $3,417 |
| Oklahoma | $3,000 |
| Oregon | $3,917 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,333 |
| Rhode Island | $3,417 |
| South Carolina | $3,167 |
| South Dakota | $3,583 |
| Tennessee | $3,167 |
| Texas | $3,083 |
| Utah | $3,083 |
| Virginia | $3,500 |
| Washington | $4,250 |
| West Virginia | $2,917 |
| Wisconsin | $3,250 |
Hourly National Average Salary
| State | Average Hour Salary |
| Alabama | $17.77 |
| Alaska | $30.47 |
| Arizona | $18.31 |
| Arkansas | $19.77 |
| California | $19.95 |
| Colorado | $20.51 |
| Lowa | $19.37 |
| Kansas | $16.84 |
| Kentucky | $23.25 |
| Maine | $19.23 |
| Maryland | $22.49 |
| Massachusetts | $23.18 |
| Montana | $15.59 |
| Nebraska | $21.33 |
| Nevada | $17.79 |
| New Hampshire | $18.91 |
How to Become a Certified Welder (Guide)
Joining a trade union is a great experience, but it does not have to be done. Becoming certified to work with hot metal (welding) applications such as stainless steel and aluminum is a step-by-step guide that anyone can follow and enjoy knowing that they have just become an apprentice in their chosen field.
Step 1) Earn a High School Diploma
The Welder certification program is an American welding education and certification program available through most schools and training providers. It offers students the chance to build their skills as welders or machine operators while earning college credits that can transfer to any trade school or technical school.
The program has been developed to provide students with a means of furthering their education and knowledge of professional welding practice while receiving meaningful experience in the field for a relatively low cost.
“However the AWS course is designed for current and prospective welders who wish to learn that the skills and knowledge required to become a certified welder is something that can be achieved in a relatively short period of time, enough so that even experienced welders can gain new knowledge as part of their career.”
Step 2) Get a Certificate or Degree in Welding
The “certification” or “degree” you get in welding is, in fact, highly specialized knowledge. It would help if you studied to be a certified welder. But what’s the point? Only a few professionals who have this certificate can become welders, and they are not cheap.
Get a certificate or degree in welding to become a Certified Welder. The certificate or degree is given when you pass an exam and prove your capability to pass such an exam. The program takes about 3 months for the full course. It includes theory, practical exercises, and tests.
After passing the certification exams, you are trained for another 2 years before being hired as a certified welder in your workplace or project area. You will then be assigned as an assistant welder on projects with different levels of difficulty, like electricians,
Step 3) Participate in an Apprenticeship
It is an important step if you want to become a certified welder. It can be an expensive and time-consuming process. We are all more interested in learning about it.
There are two types of apprenticeships: one that prepares you for the job itself and one where the employer gives you limited experience before starting directly with your part-time work.
A welder’s apprenticeship has proven to be a good way to learn welding skills and a good way for people who are new to welding to become certified. As long as they follow all standards set by the industry, they can continue their learning with high quality after their apprenticeship is done.
You can learn more about apprenticeship by watching the below video of Apprentice Welder Seth Michael;
Step 4) Earn a Welding Certification
To a potential employer, welding certificates authenticate your knowledge and skill level.
The American Welding Society offers the majority of welding qualifications (AWS).
The following certificates are available:
Welder Certification (CW)
- There are no prerequisites for taking this test.
- It will set you back $35.
An AWS Accredited Testing Facility is required to take the exam.
Welding Inspector Certification (CWI)
There are numerous ways to meet the prerequisites for taking this test.
- They require a certain amount of education as well as work experience.
- A member pays $850, while a non-member pays $1,065.
Certified Senior Welding Inspector (SCWI)
There are numerous ways to meet the prerequisites for taking this test.
- They require a certain amount of education as well as work experience.
- A member pays $850, while a non-member pays $1,065.
Sales Representative in Welding Certification
The ways to meet the prerequisites for taking this test.
- The cost is $275 for members and $355 for non-members (non-member)
Certification & Licensing in Welding to Becoming a Certified Welder
The American Welding Society offers the industry’s most widely recognized welding qualifications (AWS).
These tests measure the welder’s safety knowledge and the welding process itself. However, the AWS certification process includes a written exam as well as a welding competency test.
The holder of these qualifications must renew them every six months to a year. Obtaining an AWS certification is a terrific method to boost your earnings and job prospects.
Currently, AWS offers several certification categories:
- Certified Welder
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- Certified Welding Educator
- Certified Welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Certified Robotic Arc Welding
How is a Certificate of Welder Look Like?
The Welder’s Job: Not Just Manual Skills
Anyone who thinks that the welder’s duties are limited to performing various types of welding and finishing the welded surfaces is very mistaken. A good welder must also have the right skills to choose the most correct and suitable means and methods from time to time. As well as being able to read and interpret the technical documentation and design drawings, prepare the pieces that will be welded most appropriately, and verify the tightness of the union.
He must also be able to record the technical data and ensure the proper functioning of the work equipment, even with appropriate maintenance and routine cleaning.
All this cannot acquire overnight and, sometimes, even a lot of experience and good skills are not sufficient requirements to fully carry out this work in all its facets.
Conclusion
This is known as the basic knowledge for all welders. However, not all of us know how to become a certified welder. The best way to learn about welding is through a certificate or degree in welding. However, most people don’t have the financial means to buy such things, and thus, most people pass up such opportunities.
We should consider that getting a degree in Welding may not be worth it if you will work as an apprentice at a shop and lack experience in using tools or manual skills.
