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

Skilled trades

Maine employs 1,690 welders, with a statewide median of $62,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maine licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Maine (May 2025)

Maine median pay: $62,220 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,230
Experienced (75th percentile): $69,130
Top earners (90th percentile): $76,220
Employed in Maine: 1,690
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Portland: $66,420 (1,060 employed)
Lewiston: $55,520 (80 employed)
Bangor: $50,590 (140 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maine

Prices in Maine run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,220 median stretches to roughly $64,144 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Maine (2024–2034)

Maine is projected to grow welders employment +1.0%, slower than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 210 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maine 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.

Maine 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 Maine

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Maine's shipbuilding (Bath Iron Works), paper mills, and manufacturing drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maine include:

Beal University — Certificate / Associate
Central Maine Community College — Certificate / Associate
Eastern Maine Community College — Certificate / Associate
Kennebec Valley 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 Maine?

The median wage for welders in Maine is $62,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,230, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,220. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Maine?

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

Which Maine metros pay welders the most?

Among Maine metro areas, Portland leads at $66,420, followed by Lewiston ($55,520), Bangor ($50,590). 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 Maine?

Real Maine options include Beal University, Central Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Maine?

Maine projects welders employment to change +1.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 210 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), Maine 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 Maine wages · Maine 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.