Welder in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Arkansas employs 6,150 welders, with a statewide median of $47,970 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)

Arkansas median pay: $47,970 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,380
Experienced (75th percentile): $55,280
Top earners (90th percentile): $62,830
Employed in Arkansas: 6,150
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major Arkansas markets:

Jonesboro: $51,900 (340 employed)
Memphis: $48,600 (1,590 employed)
Fayetteville: $47,740 (570 employed)
Little Rock: $47,440 (1,190 employed)
Fort Smith: $46,630 (400 employed)
Texarkana: $41,920 (590 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas

Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $47,970 median stretches to roughly $55,201 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)

Arkansas is projected to grow welders employment +6.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 820 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arkansas License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

Arkansas does not license welders.
Train at a community-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in Arkansas

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Arkansas's steel (Big River Steel) and manufacturing sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:

Arkansas Northeastern College — Certificate
Arkansas State University Mid-South — Certificate
Arkansas State University Three Rivers — Certificate / Associate
Arkansas State University-Beebe — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Arkansas?

The median wage for welders in Arkansas is $47,970 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $62,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in Arkansas?

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. Arkansas does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in Arkansas?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Arkansas metros pay welders the most?

Among Arkansas metro areas, Jonesboro leads at $51,900, followed by Memphis ($48,600), Fayetteville ($47,740). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Welder in Arkansas?

Real Arkansas options include Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University Mid-South, Arkansas State University Three Rivers. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Arkansas?

Arkansas projects welders employment to change +6.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 820 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.