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

Skilled trades

Nevada employs 1,600 welders, with a statewide median of $61,520 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nevada licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Nevada (May 2025)

Nevada median pay: $61,520 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,530
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,670
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,050
Employed in Nevada: 1,600
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Carson City: $61,520 (60 employed)
Reno: $58,800 (390 employed)
Las Vegas: $57,980 (730 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nevada

Prices in Nevada run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,520 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Nevada (2022–2032)

Nevada is projected to grow welders employment +12.3%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally.

Nevada 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.

Nevada 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 Nevada

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nevada include:

College of Southern Nevada — Certificate / Associate
Great Basin College — Certificate / Associate
Truckee Meadows Community College — Certificate / Associate
Western Nevada 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 Nevada?

The median wage for welders in Nevada is $61,520 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,530, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Nevada?

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

Which Nevada metros pay welders the most?

Among Nevada metro areas, Carson City leads at $61,520, followed by Reno ($58,800), Las Vegas ($57,980). 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 Nevada?

Real Nevada options include College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Nevada?

Nevada projects welders employment to change +12.3% from 2022 to 2032 — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Nevada 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 Nevada wages · Nevada 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.