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

Skilled trades

Idaho employs 3,300 welders, with a statewide median of $50,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $50,530 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,370
Experienced (75th percentile): $59,350
Top earners (90th percentile): $70,790
Employed in Idaho: 3,300
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Pocatello: $58,140 (180 employed)
Coeur d'Alene: $51,510 (230 employed)
Idaho Falls: $50,770 (170 employed)
Boise City: $50,240 (1,400 employed)
Logan: $48,920 (350 employed)
Twin Falls: $45,550 (290 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,530 median stretches to roughly $52,911 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow welders employment +12.9%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 450 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho 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.

Idaho 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 Idaho

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Idaho's manufacturing, mining, and ag-equipment sectors drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Brigham Young University-Idaho — Associate
College of Eastern Idaho — Certificate / Associate
College of Southern Idaho — Certificate / Associate
College of Western Idaho — 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 Idaho?

The median wage for welders in Idaho is $50,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,370, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $70,790. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Idaho?

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

Which Idaho metros pay welders the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Pocatello leads at $58,140, followed by Coeur d'Alene ($51,510), Idaho Falls ($50,770). 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 Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects welders employment to change +12.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 450 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), Idaho 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 Idaho wages · Idaho 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.