How to Become a Welder in Illinois (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois employs about 16,260 welders earning a median $51,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most welders train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Welder Schools in Illinois

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
160.0$3,822 in-state / $9,846 out-of-state$51,35740%Yes*17 mi
257.2$3,985 in-state / $12,462 out-of-state$53,38837%Yes*18 mi
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354.9$5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state$52,70129%Yes*11 mi
454.9Contact school for pricing$52,36680%—17 mi
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551.1$4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state$56,82727%Yes*10 mi
649.6$5,502 in-state / $12,414 out-of-state$46,99931%—8 mi
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748.6$5,093 in-state / $12,683 out-of-state$45,06928%Yes*18 mi
847.7$4,560 in-state / $12,750 out-of-state$55,98425%—23 mi
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939.3Contact school for pricing$47,13668%—12 mi
1037.3$4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state$43,24731%Yes*7 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Illinois employs approximately 16,260 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,320 1. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 45,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Welder in Illinois, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Illinois): $51,320 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in Illinois

How to become a Welder in Illinois? Illinois does not require a state license for welders, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the welder field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Illinois? No state license is required, but certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

What do welders earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for welders in Illinois is $51,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,890 and experienced professionals can earn $76,730 or more 1.

How to Become a Welder in Illinois

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Illinois that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Earn an industry certification. While Illinois does not require a statewide license, earn AWS Certified Welder (CW) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Welder Certification Options in Illinois

Illinois does not require a state license to work as a welder. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for welders include:

  • AWS Certified Welder (CW)
  • OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the American Welding Society (AWS) 3. Contact training programs in Illinois for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder Apprenticeship Information in Illinois

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Illinois’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship 4.

Contact Information:

  • Office: BEST, Inc
  • Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
  • Phone: (815) 224-0375
  • Email: [email protected]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin9,320$52,650$56,180$39,130$74,450
St. Louis2,820$51,640$54,840$38,770$72,140
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island1,240$48,630$53,840$39,280$71,950
Peoria1,230$58,960$61,580$46,480$79,930
Rockford870$50,200$53,380$39,920$70,710
Paducah310$48,560$52,270$39,300$66,580
Kankakee230$47,460$50,870$36,230$71,110
Decatur200$57,670$58,230$47,020$66,200
Cape Girardeau170$48,580$49,500$37,970$59,280
Champaign-Urbana100$48,610$51,710$39,250$62,690
Springfield100$49,860$52,990$35,340$72,290
Bloomington70$47,180$47,750$35,990$58,190

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for welders in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 16,260 welders 1. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois. You can also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do welders earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Illinois is $51,320, which is $320 above the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data 1.

In Illinois

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. American Welding Society (AWS): https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩︎

  4. Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)