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

Skilled trades

Louisiana employs 13,690 welders, with a statewide median of $62,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $62,250 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $42,810
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,310
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,750
Employed in Louisiana: 13,690
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Baton Rouge: $78,170 (3,690 employed)
Lake Charles: $72,920 (970 employed)
Shreveport: $63,610 (910 employed)
New Orleans: $63,270 (2,000 employed)
Slidell: $60,810 (330 employed)
Lafayette: $57,750 (1,860 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,250 median stretches to roughly $70,578 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow welders employment +6.3%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,410 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana 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.

Louisiana 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 Louisiana

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Louisiana's shipbuilding, refining, and fabrication sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate
Compass Career College — Certificate

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 Louisiana?

The median wage for welders in Louisiana is $62,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $42,810, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,750. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Louisiana?

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

Which Louisiana metros pay welders the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $78,170, followed by Lake Charles ($72,920), Shreveport ($63,610). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Louisiana?

Louisiana projects welders employment to change +6.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,410 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), Louisiana 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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.