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

Skilled trades

Wisconsin employs 15,320 welders, with a statewide median of $58,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $58,410 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,060
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,220
Top earners (90th percentile): $70,720
Employed in Wisconsin: 15,320
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Minneapolis: $61,880 (4,600 employed)
Madison: $59,530 (1,010 employed)
Milwaukee: $59,390 (3,400 employed)
Appleton: $58,920 (970 employed)
Green Bay: $58,850 (840 employed)
Duluth: $57,410 (370 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,410 median stretches to roughly $62,072 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to grow welders employment +5.9%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,860 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Wisconsin's heavy-manufacturing base drives strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:

Blackhawk Technical College — Certificate
Chippewa Valley Technical College — Certificate / Associate
College of Menominee Nation — Certificate
Fox Valley Technical 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 Wisconsin?

The median wage for welders in Wisconsin is $58,410 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,060, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $70,720. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Wisconsin?

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

Which Wisconsin metros pay welders the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $61,880, followed by Madison ($59,530), Milwaukee ($59,390). 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 Wisconsin?

Real Wisconsin options include Blackhawk Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, College of Menominee Nation. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects welders employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,860 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), Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.