How to Become A Welder in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 15,320 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,410 1. The state’s concentration of welder jobs is 1.95x 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 Wisconsin, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Welder in Wisconsin
How do I become a welder in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as WELDER, WELD TEST CONDUCTOR - Physical & Radiographic. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 4 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for welders. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do welders earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for welders in Wisconsin is $58,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,060 and experienced professionals can earn $70,720 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $58,410 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Welder License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees welder licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| WELDER | Reason for Credential: No person may perform structural welding under ss. Comm 34.39 and Comm 62.2204 unless the person holds a credential issued by the department as a registered welder. |
| WELD TEST CONDUCTOR - Physical & Radiographic | Reason for Credential: No person may conduct welding tests for the purpose of qualifying structural welders under s. Comm 5. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Welder Apprenticeship Information in Wisconsin
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
- Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
- Phone: (608) 733-3930
- Email: [email protected]
Welder Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 4,600 | $61,880 | $63,300 | $48,350 | $76,650 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 3,400 | $59,390 | $58,700 | $48,190 | $72,370 |
| Madison | 1,010 | $59,530 | $58,900 | $45,140 | $71,270 |
| Appleton | 970 | $58,920 | $60,600 | $46,460 | $82,680 |
| Wausau | 930 | $55,780 | $55,790 | $48,130 | $64,840 |
| Green Bay | 840 | $58,850 | $57,710 | $47,150 | $69,880 |
| Sheboygan | 740 | $59,460 | $58,560 | $51,890 | $61,630 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 540 | $60,720 | $59,510 | $47,420 | $67,210 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 520 | $60,000 | $59,810 | $48,410 | $70,720 |
| Duluth | 370 | $57,410 | $60,280 | $46,390 | $81,190 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 370 | $59,200 | $58,040 | $46,230 | $68,130 |
| Eau Claire | 350 | $58,110 | $56,730 | $46,440 | $67,820 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 300 | $58,800 | $63,220 | $48,780 | $78,320 |
| Kenosha | 250 | $57,780 | $57,220 | $47,860 | $68,590 |
| Fond du Lac | 230 | $60,930 | $59,210 | $48,350 | $70,690 |
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 Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest welder employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 3,400 | $59,390 |
| Madison | 1,010 | $59,530 |
| Appleton | 970 | $58,920 |
| Wausau | 930 | $55,780 |
| Green Bay | 840 | $58,850 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for welders in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 15,320 welders 1. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a welder in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin. You can also contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do welders earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Wisconsin is $58,410, which is $7,410 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.pdf ↩︎
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) |