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

Skilled trades

Minnesota employs 9,270 welders, with a statewide median of $60,280 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $60,280 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,690
Experienced (75th percentile): $65,410
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,710
Employed in Minnesota: 9,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

St. Cloud: $62,820 (620 employed)
Minneapolis: $61,880 (4,600 employed)
Fargo: $61,140 (690 employed)
Rochester: $60,380 (510 employed)
Duluth: $57,410 (370 employed)
Sioux Falls: $55,200 (850 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,280 median stretches to roughly $61,136 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow welders employment +0.9%, slower than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 980 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Minnesota 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.

Minnesota does not license welders.
Train at a community/technical-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 Minnesota

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Manufacturing, fabrication, and construction drive Minnesota demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

Alexandria Technical & Community College — Certificate
Anoka Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Certificate / Associate
Century 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 Minnesota?

The median wage for welders in Minnesota is $60,280 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,690, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Minnesota?

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

Which Minnesota metros pay welders the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, St. Cloud leads at $62,820, followed by Minneapolis ($61,880), Fargo ($61,140). 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 Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Alexandria Technical & Community College, Anoka Technical College, Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects welders employment to change +0.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 980 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), Minnesota 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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.