Do welders need a license in Ohio?

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

What apprenticeships are available for welders in Ohio?

In Ohio, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Ohio Office of 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 Ohio (2026)

Q: How much do welders earn in Ohio?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), welders in Ohio earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,340. Employment concentration in Ohio is about 1.37 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for welders in Ohio?

Ohio currently employs approximately 20,330 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

Ohio welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual wage of $50,340 ($24.20/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 20,330 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -6.3% below the national median of $53,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $50,340 ($24.20/hr)
25th percentile: $45,750 per year
75th percentile: $59,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $70,510 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,990 per year
Workers employed in Ohio: 20,330
Versus national median: -6.3% below the U.S. median of $53,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.37 - this occupation is more concentrated in Ohio than the national average

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

Ohio employs about 20,330 welders earning a median $50,340 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 Ohio

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	Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District	83.0	Contact school for pricing	$52,422	100%	—	41 mi
2	Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County	71.2	Contact school for pricing	$46,534	79%	—	31 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education	64.1	Contact school for pricing	$53,648	72%	—	54 mi
4	Knox County Career Center	61.8	Contact school for pricing	$44,510	100%	—	40 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Auburn Career Center	59.7	Contact school for pricing	$48,563	69%	—	19 mi
6	Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools	58.9	Contact school for pricing	$44,754	81%	—	8 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Columbus State Community College	56.1	$5,488 in-state / $11,224 out-of-state	$52,681	28%	Yes*	1 mi
8	Tri-Rivers Career Center	48.6	Contact school for pricing	$56,948	71%	—	43 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Tri-County Adult Career Center	46.6	Contact school for pricing	$35,511	85%	—	54 mi
10	Clark State College	46.3	$4,393 in-state / $8,049 out-of-state	$50,997	22%	Yes*	43 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.

Ohio employs approximately 20,330 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,340 ¹. The state’s concentration of welder jobs is 1.37x 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 Ohio, 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 (Ohio): $50,340 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in Ohio

How to become a Welder in Ohio? Ohio 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 Ohio? 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 Ohio? The median annual wage for welders in Ohio is $50,340 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,990 and experienced professionals can earn $70,510 or more ¹.

How to Become a Welder in Ohio

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder Apprenticeship Information in Ohio

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

Contact Information:

Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
Phone: (614) 466-6282
Email: [email protected]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Cleveland	3,510	$49,040	$52,080	$39,330	$68,640
Cincinnati	3,160	$51,990	$55,730	$39,460	$73,970
Columbus	2,190	$51,260	$54,630	$40,100	$70,470
Akron	1,170	$50,340	$55,300	$41,870	$77,820
Toledo	960	$49,130	$50,650	$37,970	$61,750
Canton-Massillon	860	$50,510	$53,360	$44,450	$69,130
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek	820	$50,390	$52,950	$37,460	$69,670
Youngstown-Warren	680	$47,690	$49,900	$38,590	$60,890
Huntington-Ashland	550	$46,980	$51,010	$36,780	$71,310
Lima	470	$85,790	$70,930	$44,610	$85,790
Mansfield	350	$43,120	$45,540	$36,320	$60,620
Springfield	220	$47,780	$51,010	$39,110	$66,470
Sandusky	200	$47,900	$50,250	$38,120	$60,020
Weirton-Steubenville	180	$55,410	$55,690	$37,720	$87,110
Wheeling	160	$49,920	$57,940	$37,670	$105,400

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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 20,330 welders ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do welders earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Ohio is $50,340, which is $660 below the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data ¹.

In Ohio

Ohio Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

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

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/ ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎

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)