Welder
Join steel together. Welders work everything from residential railing to nuclear pipework — AWS certifications drive pay across all the specialties. The most reliably hiring industrial trade with the broadest range of work.
Welder goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Welder trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Welders join metal using arc welding (SMAW/stick), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), or flux-core (FCAW). Day-to-day depends on the work site — structural welder on a high-rise, pipe welder on a refinery, fab-shop welder running production parts.
Specializations diverge by process and material. Structural Welders work AWS D1.1 on buildings and bridges. Pipe Welders work AWS D1.1 + ASME B31 on process piping (UA pipe-welder qualification adds premium pay). TIG Welders work stainless and aluminum. Underwater Welders are the highest-paid specialty.
Most welders work for steel fabricators, mechanical contractors, shipyards, or industrial manufacturers. AWS certification is the universal credential — passing a 6G pipe weld test under inspection is the gateway to the highest-paid work.
How you move up as a Welder
Welder progression is certification-driven. AWS certifications are the universal credential — D1.1 (structural), D1.5 (bridge), B31 (pipe), D17.1 (aerospace). BLS OES 51-4121, May 2024.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Welders earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Welder trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Welder trade
UA Pipe Welder Apprenticeship
United Association apprenticeships include pipe-welder qualification — the highest-paid welding track. Same UA Locals as pipefitters: 10, 110, 602, 486, 421. UA →
ABC Welding Apprenticeship
DOL-Registered welding apprenticeships through ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, ABC Greater Baltimore.
Community College Welding Programs
Pell-eligible welding programs at Tidewater CC, Cape Fear CC, Wake Tech, Prince George's CC. FastForward VA covers tuition.
Certifications that help
AWS D1.1 / D1.5 / B31 / D17.1, AWS Certified Welder, AWS CWI / SCWI, 6G pipe-welder qualification, OSHA 10/30, confined-space, NDT certifications.
Common pathways into Welder work
KinTrades welcomes Welder workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Army 91E Allied Trades Specialist covers welding directly. Navy HT (Hull Maintenance Technician) covers shipboard welding — the cleanest civilian crosswalk for shipyard work.
Air Force 2A7X3 Aircraft Structural Maintenance covers aerospace welding. Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to UA + ABC welding apprenticeships.
The GI Bill covers AWS testing fees.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Welding is one of the most common HS career-technical-education programs — many seniors earn AWS Entry-Level Welder cert before graduation.
AWS testing is open to age 18+.
FastForward VA covers welding tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible CCs run 6-month welding programs.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Welding is among the most second-chance friendly trades — once you can pass an AWS test, your past matters less.
Independent fab shops, structural welders, and pipeline contractors hire on demonstrated skill.
Federal facilities and shipyards run background checks for site access; commercial industrial work generally does not.
Second-chance hiringIf Welder interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Welder
What does a Welder do?
Welders join metal using arc welding (SMAW/stick), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), or flux-core (FCAW). Day-to-day depends on the work site — structural welder on a high-rise, pipe welder on a refinery, fab-shop welder running production parts.
What does a Welder make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Welders earn an annual median of $54K in Virginia (range $40K–$76K), $66K in DC ($50K–$88K), $60K in Maryland ($46K–$84K), and $48K in North Carolina ($36K–$68K).
How do you become a Welder?
UA Pipe Welder Apprenticeship: United Association apprenticeships include pipe-welder qualification — the highest-paid welding track. Same UA Locals as pipefitters: 10, 110, 602, 486, 421. UA →
How long is Welder apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
1–2 years to journey-level certification, depending on path. Welder progression is certification-driven. AWS certifications are the universal credential — D1.1 (structural), D1.5 (bridge), B31 (pipe), D17.1 (aerospace).
Is Welder a good career path for someone with a record?
Welding is among the most second-chance friendly trades — once you can pass an AWS test, your past matters less. Independent fab shops, structural welders, and pipeline contractors hire on demonstrated skill. Federal facilities and shipyards run background checks for site access; commercial industrial work generally does not.