Welder in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Mississippi employs 6,460 welders, with a statewide median of $51,100 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.
What Welders Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)
- Mississippi median pay
- $51,100 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,800
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $63,440
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $64,440
- Employed in Mississippi
- 6,460
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $49,990 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major Mississippi markets:
- Gulfport
- $63,440 (2,220 employed)
- Jackson
- $52,220 (530 employed)
- Hattiesburg
- $49,500 (160 employed)
- Memphis
- $48,600 (1,590 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi
Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $51,100 median stretches to roughly $58,736 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)
Mississippi is projected to grow welders employment +9.7%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 770 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Mississippi 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.
- Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Mississippi's shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:
- Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Delta Technical College-Mississippi — Certificate
- East Central 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 Mississippi?
The median wage for welders in Mississippi is $51,100 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,800, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,440. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in Mississippi?
No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. Mississippi does not license welders.
Is being a Welder a good career in Mississippi?
Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.
Which Mississippi metros pay welders the most?
Among Mississippi metro areas, Gulfport leads at $63,440, followed by Jackson ($52,220), Hattiesburg ($49,500). 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 Mississippi?
Real Mississippi options include Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Delta Technical College-Mississippi. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Welder a growing career in Mississippi?
Mississippi projects welders employment to change +9.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 770 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), Mississippi 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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.