How to Become A Welder in Mississippi
Mississippi employs approximately 6,460 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,100 1. The state’s concentration of welder jobs is 2.08x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Mississippi, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Welder in Mississippi
How do I become a welder in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Welding. The licensing authority is the MS State Board of Contractors 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for welders. The MS State Board of Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do welders earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for welders in Mississippi is $51,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,800 and experienced professionals can earn $64,440 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: MS State Board of Contractors
- Median wage (Mississippi): $51,100 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Choice of state or third-party exam
Welder License Requirements in Mississippi
The MS State Board of Contractors oversees welder licensing in Mississippi 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Welding |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Choice of state or third-party exam
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Welder Apprenticeship Information in Mississippi
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mississippi Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1235 Echelon Pkwy, Jackson, MS 39213
- Phone: (601) 321-6000
- Email: [email protected]
Welder Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 2,220 | $63,440 | $58,380 | $38,960 | $63,440 |
| Memphis | 1,590 | $48,600 | $51,050 | $38,620 | $65,280 |
| Jackson | 530 | $52,220 | $53,010 | $37,220 | $70,180 |
| Hattiesburg | 160 | $49,500 | $53,870 | $38,030 | $88,730 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Welders in Mississippi
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest welder employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 2,220 | $63,440 |
| Jackson | 530 | $52,220 |
| Hattiesburg | 160 | $49,500 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for welders in Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 6,460 welders 1. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a welder in Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS State Board of Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.
How much do welders earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Mississippi is $51,100, which is $100 above the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS State Board of Contractors - Licensing Information: https://www.msboc.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |