Welding Certification Guide (AWS Basics, Salaries)
Welding is a hands-on, no-degree trade that powers construction, manufacturing, pipelines and shipbuilding — and skilled welders are consistently in demand. The key that unlocks better pay is certification: proof you can weld to a recognized standard. This guide explains why certification matters, the AWS basics, the main processes, and what welders earn.
Why certification matters
You can learn to weld in months, but a welding certification is what proves to an employer you can do it to code. Most skilled welding jobs involve a weld test — you weld a sample to a specific procedure, and a certified inspector checks it. Passing demonstrates real, verifiable skill, which is exactly what raises your pay above an entry fabricator.
Certifications are usually process- and position-specific, so experienced welders hold several to widen the jobs they can take.
AWS certification basics
The American Welding Society (AWS) sets widely-used welding standards in the US. Key ideas:
- Certified Welder (CW) — a performance-based certification: you pass a hands-on test to a specific code (such as structural steel).
- Certifications are tied to a welding process, material and position — so “certified” always means certified for what.
- Many certifications require periodic maintenance (continuity of work or re-testing) to stay current.
Employers may also test you to their own procedures (a WPS — Welding Procedure Specification) when you’re hired.
The main welding processes
Learn the processes employers actually use:
- MIG (GMAW) — fast and common in manufacturing and fabrication; easiest to learn.
- Stick (SMAW) — rugged, used in construction and outdoors.
- TIG (GTAW) — precise, used on stainless, aluminum and high-quality work; higher skill, higher pay.
- Flux-cored (FCAW) — high-deposition work like heavy structural and shipbuilding.
Training routes
- Trade school / community college — focused welding programs that prepare you for certification.
- Entry welding jobs — some shops train you on the job.
- Apprenticeships — paid routes in some regions and unions.
Typical salaries
Welder pay spans a wide range. Entry fabricators start modestly, but specialized welders — pipe, structural, underwater (commercial diving), aerospace — earn well above average, especially with travel, shutdown and hazardous-environment work. Adding TIG and pipe certifications is one of the clearest ways to move up. It’s a trade where the right certifications turn $20+/hour-no-degree into much more.
Tip: Get certified in TIG and pipe once you’ve mastered the basics. These are where the high-paying, in-demand jobs are — and the certifications pay for themselves quickly.
Official resources
Building a trade career? See other $20+/hour jobs with no degree and browse current USA jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Do welders need to be certified?
Many employers require a welding certification that proves you can weld to a specific code or procedure. Certifications are typically tied to a welding process and position, so welders often hold several. A certification test (a 'weld test') is a common part of getting hired.
How much do welders earn?
Pay varies widely by industry and skill. Entry-level fabricators start modestly, while specialized welders — pipe, structural, underwater and aerospace — can earn substantially more, especially with travel or hazardous-environment work.