Welder in West Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

West Virginia employs 2,100 welders, with a statewide median of $48,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact West Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in West Virginia (May 2025)

West Virginia median pay: $48,810 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $36,700
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,170
Top earners (90th percentile): $73,780
Employed in West Virginia: 2,100
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Washington: $60,670 (2,000 employed)
Hagerstown: $56,020 (130 employed)
Winchester: $54,690 (120 employed)
Charleston: $48,000 (190 employed)
Morgantown: $47,650 (140 employed)
Huntington: $46,980 (550 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in West Virginia

Prices in West Virginia run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,810 median stretches to roughly $54,536 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in West Virginia (2024–2034)

West Virginia is projected to grow welders employment +5.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 230 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

West Virginia 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.

West Virginia does not license welders.
Train at a 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 West Virginia

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. West Virginia's chemical, energy, and pipeline sectors drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in West Virginia include:

Academy of Careers and Technology — Certificate
Ben Franklin Career Center — Certificate
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College — Certificate
Boone Career and Technical Center — 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 West Virginia?

The median wage for welders in West Virginia is $48,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,700, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,780. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in West Virginia?

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

Which West Virginia metros pay welders the most?

Among West Virginia metro areas, Washington leads at $60,670, followed by Hagerstown ($56,020), Winchester ($54,690). 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 West Virginia?

Real West Virginia options include Academy of Careers and Technology, Ben Franklin Career Center, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in West Virginia?

West Virginia projects welders employment to change +5.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 230 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), West Virginia 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 West Virginia wages · West Virginia 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.