Welder in Rhode Island: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Rhode Island employs 2,300 welders, with a statewide median of $50,580 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Rhode Island licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Rhode Island (May 2025)

Rhode Island median pay: $50,580 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $35,560
Experienced (75th percentile): $68,260
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,000
Employed in Rhode Island: 2,300
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Providence: $52,800 (2,490 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Rhode Island

Prices in Rhode Island run about 2% above the national average (cost-of-living index 102.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,580 median is worth closer to $49,443 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Rhode Island (2024–2034)

Rhode Island is projected to grow welders employment +27.4%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 540 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island does not license welders.
Train at a technical/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 Rhode Island

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Rhode Island's manufacturing, shipbuilding, and offshore-wind sectors drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Rhode Island include:

Community College of Rhode Island — 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 Rhode Island?

The median wage for welders in Rhode Island is $50,580 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,560, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,000. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Rhode Island?

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

Which Rhode Island metros pay welders the most?

Among Rhode Island metro areas, Providence leads at $52,800. 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 Rhode Island?

Real Rhode Island options include Community College of Rhode Island. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island projects welders employment to change +27.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 540 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), Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island wages · Rhode Island 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.