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

Skilled trades

Wyoming employs 1,850 welders, with a statewide median of $63,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wyoming licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Wyoming (May 2025)

Wyoming median pay: $63,820 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,220
Experienced (75th percentile): $78,890
Top earners (90th percentile): $89,610
Employed in Wyoming: 1,850
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Casper: $62,660 (480 employed)
Cheyenne: $59,030 (180 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wyoming

Prices in Wyoming run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,820 median stretches to roughly $68,846 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wyoming (2024–2034)

Wyoming is projected to grow welders employment +13.1%, 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.

Wyoming 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.

Wyoming 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 Wyoming

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Wyoming's energy (oil/gas, refining), mining, and power sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wyoming include:

Casper College — Certificate / Associate
Central Wyoming College — Certificate / Associate
Eastern Wyoming College — Certificate / Associate
Laramie County Community 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 Wyoming?

The median wage for welders in Wyoming is $63,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,220, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,610. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Welder a good career in Wyoming?

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

Which Wyoming metros pay welders the most?

Among Wyoming metro areas, Casper leads at $62,660, followed by Cheyenne ($59,030). 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 Wyoming?

Real Wyoming options include Casper College, Central Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in Wyoming?

Wyoming projects welders employment to change +13.1% 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), Wyoming 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 Wyoming wages · Wyoming 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.