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

Skilled trades

Hawaii employs 520 welders, with a statewide median of $79,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Hawaii licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Hawaii (May 2025)

Hawaii median pay: $79,000 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $90,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $100,220
Employed in Hawaii: 520
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Urban Honolulu: $81,120 (430 employed)
Kahului: $67,280 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Hawaii

Prices in Hawaii run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,000 median is worth closer to $71,818 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Hawaii (2024–2034)

Hawaii is projected to grow welders employment +1.5%, slower than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Hawaii 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.

Hawaii 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 Hawaii

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Hawaii's shipyards (Pearl Harbor), construction, and power facilities drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Hawaii include:

Hawaii Community College — Certificate / Associate
Honolulu Community College — 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 Hawaii?

The median wage for welders in Hawaii is $79,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,220. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Hawaii?

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

Which Hawaii metros pay welders the most?

Among Hawaii metro areas, Urban Honolulu leads at $81,120, followed by Kahului ($67,280). 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 Hawaii?

Real Hawaii options include Hawaii Community College, Honolulu Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Hawaii?

Hawaii projects welders employment to change +1.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 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), Hawaii 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 Hawaii wages · Hawaii 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.