Do welders need a license in New Jersey?

No statewide license is required for welders in New Jersey. Most employers expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW), and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for welders in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Welder in New Jersey (2026)

Q: How much do welders earn in New Jersey?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), welders in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,440. Employment concentration in New Jersey is roughly 0.33 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for welders in New Jersey?

New Jersey currently employs approximately 3,730 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Jersey welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual wage of $59,440 ($28.58/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,730 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 10.6% above the national median of $53,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,440 ($28.58/hr)
25th percentile: $49,870 per year
75th percentile: $71,060 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,760 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $43,290 per year
Workers employed in New Jersey: 3,730
Versus national median: 10.6% above the U.S. median of $53,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.33 - this occupation is less concentrated in New Jersey than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

New Jersey employs about 3,730 welders earning a median $59,440 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 New Jersey

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.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Bergen Community College	63.9	$4,913 in-state / $9,294 out-of-state	$51,761	21%	Yes*	16 mi
2	Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education	61.2	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	84%	—	60 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences	59.6	Contact school for pricing	$41,843	81%	—	12 mi
4	Ocean County Vocational-Technical School	59.5	Contact school for pricing	$42,510	65%	—	52 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Apex Technical School	59.1	Contact school for pricing	$46,910	78%	—	12 mi
6	Sussex County Community College	53.8	$5,544 in-state / $9,024 out-of-state	$41,662	37%	Yes*	38 mi
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7	Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah	51.9	Contact school for pricing	$51,742	79%	—	24 mi
8	Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield	50.7	Contact school for pricing	$51,742	77%	—	18 mi
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9	Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield	47.7	Contact school for pricing	$57,080	67%	—	7 mi
10	Passaic County Community College	38.3	$6,300 in-state / $10,560 out-of-state	$47,350	19%	Yes*	13 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

New Jersey employs approximately 3,730 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,440 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 New Jersey, 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 (New Jersey): $59,440 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in New Jersey

How to become a Welder in New Jersey? New Jersey 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 New Jersey? 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 New Jersey? The median annual wage for welders in New Jersey is $59,440 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,290 and experienced professionals can earn $81,760 or more ¹.

How to Become a Welder in New Jersey

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Jersey training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in New Jersey that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While New Jersey 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 New Jersey

New Jersey 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 New Jersey for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder Apprenticeship Information in New Jersey

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Jersey’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship ⁴.

Contact Information:

Office: Cape May County Technical Schools
Address: 188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 380-0200
Email: [email protected]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	5,780	$61,680	$67,430	$44,890	$95,920
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	4,630	$58,380	$60,650	$44,430	$79,960
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton	860	$54,790	$56,650	$43,720	$74,820
Trenton-Princeton	180	$54,640	$59,610	$45,530	$82,880
Atlantic City-Hammonton	90	$60,880	$64,790	$41,060	$90,630
Vineland	70	$53,000	$55,710	$42,780	$68,910

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 New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 3,730 welders ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do welders earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in New Jersey is $59,440, which is $8,440 above the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data ¹.

In New Jersey

Best Trade Schools in New Jersey (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in New Jersey

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
American Welding Society (AWS): https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩︎
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - 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.

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)