How to Become A Welder in New York
New York employs approximately 8,310 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,140 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 York, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Welder in New York
How do I become a welder in New York? New York requires credentials such as Field Welder. The licensing authority is the NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division 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 New York? Yes. New York has licensing or registration requirements for welders. The NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do welders earn in New York? The median annual wage for welders in New York is $59,140 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,840 and experienced professionals can earn $87,110 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: NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division
- Median wage (New York): $59,140 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Welder License Requirements in New York
The NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division oversees welder licensing in New York 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Field Welder | This Certification allows a person to be able to weld on New York State Department of Transportation bridges in the field. They will be allowed to weld in the welding position that they certify for. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Welder Apprenticeship Information in New York
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New York’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New York Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
- Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
- Phone: (518) 457-4497
- Email: [email protected]
Welder Wages by Metro Area in New York
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers wages in New York 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 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 970 | $55,420 | $56,810 | $41,880 | $74,110 |
| Rochester | 650 | $57,130 | $55,910 | $38,800 | $70,520 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 550 | $59,390 | $60,440 | $45,730 | $77,580 |
| Syracuse | 430 | $55,660 | $58,550 | $44,630 | $75,870 |
| Utica-Rome | 230 | $49,630 | $52,700 | $36,710 | $72,830 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 200 | $58,460 | $60,680 | $44,810 | $78,590 |
| Kingston | 120 | $57,600 | $58,350 | $40,030 | $76,230 |
| Binghamton | 110 | $50,560 | $53,380 | $39,570 | $69,750 |
| Glens Falls | 110 | $59,140 | $60,020 | $48,290 | $74,050 |
| Elmira | 90 | $48,820 | $52,780 | $46,040 | $72,030 |
| Ithaca | 30 | $54,170 | $55,300 | $43,830 | $64,580 |
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 New York
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest welder employment within New York according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 5,780 | $61,680 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 970 | $55,420 |
| Rochester | 650 | $57,130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 550 | $59,390 |
| Syracuse | 430 | $55,660 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for welders in New York? New York currently employs approximately 8,310 welders 1. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a welder in New York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York. You can also contact the New York Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do welders earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in New York is $59,140, which is $8,140 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Department of Transportation - Metal Engineering Division - Licensing Information: https://www.dot.ny.gov/index ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎
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) |