Welder in New York: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New York employs 8,310 welders, with a statewide median of $59,140 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New York licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in New York (May 2025)

New York median pay: $59,140 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,840
Experienced (75th percentile): $71,960
Top earners (90th percentile): $87,110
Employed in New York: 8,310
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Albany: $59,390 (550 employed)
Rochester: $57,130 (650 employed)
Buffalo: $55,420 (970 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New York

Prices in New York run about 8% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,140 median is worth closer to $54,810 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New York (2024–2034)

New York is projected to shrink welders employment -3.0%, slower than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,290 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New York License and Certification Requirements

AWS Certified Welder (CW) / ASME Section IX (national — no state license) — regulated by the No New York state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard.

New York does not require a state license for welders. The industry credentials are: AWS Certified Welder (CW) for structural/fabrication work; ASME Section IX Welder Qualification for pressure vessel and piping work; and API 1104 for pipeline welding. Each is a performance-based test (you weld a coupon; inspectors evaluate it).
Entry paths: (1) Enroll in a community college, technical school, or union welding apprenticeship program (6 months to 4 years). (2) Learn at a fabrication shop and pass your first AWS/ASME certification test when shop-ready. AWS provides practice tests and prep at aws.org.
Welding process specializations — SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW — command different wages. TIG welders on pipe (6G position, all-position pipe) earn significantly more than general fabrication welders. Underwater welding and nuclear QC welding are advanced, high-pay specializations.

Official requirements: No New York state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard →

Training in New York

Community and technical colleges across New York offer welding programs ranging from 6-month certificates to 2-year AAS degrees. Union pipefitter/boilermaker/ironworker apprenticeships also provide extensive welding training with paid wages. New york's construction, shipbuilding (brooklyn navy yard), and manufacturing industries drive welding employment across the state.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New York include:

Apex Technical School — Certificate
Cayuga County Community College — Certificate
Clinton Essex Warren Washington BOCES — Certificate
Erie 1 BOCES — 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 New York?

The median wage for welders in New York is $59,140 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,840, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $87,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

AWS Certified Welder (CW) / ASME Section IX (national — no state license), overseen by the No New York state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard. New York does not require a state license for welders. The industry credentials are: AWS Certified Welder (CW) for structural/fabrication work; ASME Section IX Welder Qualification for pressure vessel and piping work; and API 1104 for pipeline welding. Each is a performance-based test (you weld a coupon; inspectors evaluate it).

Is being a Welder a good career in New York?

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

Which New York metros pay welders the most?

Among New York metro areas, Albany leads at $59,390, followed by Rochester ($57,130), Buffalo ($55,420). 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 New York?

Real New York options include Apex Technical School, Cayuga County Community College, Clinton Essex Warren Washington BOCES. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in New York?

New York projects welders employment to change -3.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,290 openings a year — a declining field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), New York statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No New York state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard (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 New York wages · New York 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.