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

Skilled trades

Utah employs 4,440 welders, with a statewide median of $58,380 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Utah licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Utah (May 2025)

Utah median pay: $58,380 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,850
Experienced (75th percentile): $66,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,520
Employed in Utah: 4,440
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Ogden: $60,240 (960 employed)
Salt Lake City: $60,190 (1,490 employed)
Provo: $54,740 (790 employed)
St. George: $50,890 (160 employed)
Logan: $48,920 (350 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Utah

Prices in Utah run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,380 median stretches to roughly $59,029 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Utah (2024–2034)

Utah is projected to grow welders employment +8.8%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 490 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Utah 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.

Utah does not license welders.
Train at a technical-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 Utah

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Utah include:

Bridgerland Technical College — Certificate
Davis Technical College — Certificate
Dixie Technical College — Certificate
Mountainland Technical College — 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 Utah?

The median wage for welders in Utah is $58,380 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,850, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Utah?

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

Which Utah metros pay welders the most?

Among Utah metro areas, Ogden leads at $60,240, followed by Salt Lake City ($60,190), Provo ($54,740). 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 Utah?

Real Utah options include Bridgerland Technical College, Davis Technical College, Dixie Technical College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Utah?

Utah projects welders employment to change +8.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 490 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), Utah 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 Utah wages · Utah 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.