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

Skilled trades

Pennsylvania employs 17,850 welders, with a statewide median of $52,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $52,900 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,510
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,920
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,870
Employed in Pennsylvania: 17,850
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Pittsburgh: $53,610 (3,600 employed)
Harrisburg: $52,330 (420 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $52,900 median stretches to roughly $54,201 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow welders employment +3.7%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,800 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

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

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard →

Training in Pennsylvania

Community and technical colleges across Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania's steel industry legacy, construction, and petrochemical plants drive welding employment across the state.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

All-State Career School — Certificate
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh — Certificate
Berks Career & Technology Center — Certificate
Butler County 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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for welders in Pennsylvania is $52,900 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,510, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,870. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

AWS Certified Welder (CW) / ASME Section IX (national — no state license), overseen by the No Pennsylvania state welder license — AWS and ASME certifications are the industry standard. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay welders the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Pittsburgh leads at $53,610, followed by Harrisburg ($52,330). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include All-State Career School, All-State Career School-Pittsburgh, Berks Career & Technology Center. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects welders employment to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,800 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.