Welder in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.
Jobs (AZ)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a welder in Arizona
In Arizona, individual welders are not licensed at the state level; however, obtaining certification through the American Welding Society (AWS) is the industry standard and is accepted in the state. Welding contractors, on the other hand, must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). This involves a qualifying party demonstrating 1-2 years of hands-on welding experience and passing both a trade exam and a Statutes and Rules Exam. Arizona has reciprocity agreements with California, Nevada, and Utah for welding contractors, which may waive the trade exam under certain conditions, but the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam is always required.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Arizona requirements
| Licensing body | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Not specified for individual welders; however, a welding contractor license requires experience. Trade schools offer programs that prepare for AWS certification. |
| Exam | Trade Exam and Statutes and Rules Exam (for welding contractors); AWS certification exams (for individual welders) ($450) |
| Application fee | $180 |
| Notes | Arizona does not license individual welders at the state level. However, a welding contractor must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). This requires a qualifying party with 1-2 years of hands-on welding experience and passing both a trade exam and a Statutes and Rules Exam. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Certification through the American Welding Society (AWS) is the industry standard for individuals and is accepted in Arizona. AWS certification is performance-based and has varying fees. Background checks are part of the contractor licensing process. |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleArizona license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk