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

Skilled trades

Washington employs 7,720 welders, with a statewide median of $63,020 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $63,020 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,980
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,650
Top earners (90th percentile): $86,250
Employed in Washington: 7,720
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Seattle–Tacoma: $66,240 (3,230 employed)
Tri-Cities: $64,720 (260 employed)
Bellingham: $63,720 (320 employed)
Spokane: $59,350 (630 employed)
Olympia: $58,680 (140 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,020 median is worth closer to $58,897 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow welders employment +1.9%, about in line with the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 860 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

None required — AWS CW/CWI certifications and employer/project weld test qualifications — regulated by the No Washington state license required for welders.

Washington does not require a state license for welders. The entry path is completing a welding technology program at a community college or technical college (Bellingham Technical College, Renton Technical College, Bates Technical College) or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship.
Pass employer-specific and project-specific weld tests (ASME, AWS D1.1 structural, API for pipeline) as required by your employer. AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential and AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) for senior roles are industry standards.
Apply to shipyards (Vigor Industrial, Naval Station Bremerton contractors), Boeing fabrication operations, construction steel erectors, pipeline contractors, and industrial manufacturers.

Official requirements: No Washington state license required for welders →

Training in Washington

Washington's shipbuilding and ship repair industry (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Vigor Industrial), Boeing's welding operations, and large pipeline and industrial construction projects drive welder demand. Underwater welding and nuclear-qualified welding command significant wage premiums.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bellingham Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Big Bend Community College — Certificate / Associate
Centralia 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 Washington?

The median wage for welders in Washington is $63,020 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,980, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $86,250. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — AWS CW/CWI certifications and employer/project weld test qualifications, overseen by the No Washington state license required for welders. Washington does not require a state license for welders. The entry path is completing a welding technology program at a community college or technical college (Bellingham Technical College, Renton Technical College, Bates Technical College) or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship.

Is being a Welder a good career in Washington?

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

Which Washington metros pay welders the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $66,240, followed by Tri-Cities ($64,720), Bellingham ($63,720). 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 Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, Big Bend Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Washington?

Washington projects welders employment to change +1.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 860 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No Washington state license required for welders (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 Washington wages · Washington 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.