Welder in District of Columbia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

District of Columbia employs 280 welders, with a statewide median of $60,180 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact District of Columbia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in District of Columbia (May 2025)

District of Columbia median pay: $60,180 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,400
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,580
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,580
Employed in District of Columbia: 280
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major District of Columbia markets:

Washington: $60,670 (2,000 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in District of Columbia

Prices in District of Columbia run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 109.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,180 median is worth closer to $54,759 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in District of Columbia (2024–2034)

District of Columbia is projected to grow welders employment +5.3%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

District of Columbia License and Certification Requirements

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

DC does not license welders.
Train at a technical 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 District of Columbia

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. DC's commercial/institutional construction drives demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

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 District of Columbia?

The median wage for welders in District of Columbia is $60,180 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,400, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,580. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in District of Columbia?

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

Is being a Welder a good career in District of Columbia?

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

Which District of Columbia metros pay welders the most?

Among District of Columbia metro areas, Washington leads at $60,670. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Welder a growing career in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia projects welders employment to change +5.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia wages · District of Columbia 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.