Welder in Hawaii

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$76,970

trending_up +50.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Hawaii.

engineering

570

Jobs (HI)

monitoring Stable

+2.2%

10-yr job growth

payments

$125

Licensing fees

route How to become a welder in Hawaii

In Hawaii, individual welders are not required to hold a state license. However, a C-56 Welding Contractor license is necessary for businesses or individuals who contract for welding services, issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). To obtain this license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a good reputation for honesty, and have four years of supervisory experience within the last ten years. The process involves passing both a Business and Law exam and a Trade exam, and submitting an application with a fee.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,380

25th percentile $63,240

50th (median) $76,970

75th percentile $86,300

90th (experienced) $98,670

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Hawaii. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Hawaii requirements

Licensing body	Hawaii Contractors License Board, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
State license	Not required
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Business and Law Exam & Trade Exam (C-56 Welding Contractor) ($75)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	Hawaii does not license individual welders. A C-56 Welding Contractor license is required for businesses or individuals who contract for welding services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years. AWS certification is the industry standard for individual welders.

Source: Hawaii Contractors License Board, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.2%

Average

Annual openings

45,600

Nationwide per year

Total employment

457,300

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.20/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a welder career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a welder in Hawaii? expand_more

To become a welder in Hawaii, you need to gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Business and Law Exam & Trade Exam (C-56 Welding Contractor), and submit your application ($50 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a welder in Hawaii? expand_more

Hawaii does not require a state license for welders. Note: Hawaii does not license individual welders. A C-56 Welding Contractor license is required for businesses or individuals who contract for welding services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years. AWS certification is the industry standard for individual welders.

What do welders earn in Hawaii? expand_more

The median welder salary in Hawaii is $76,970 per year. This exceeds the $51,000 national median by 51%. New welders start around $48,380; seasoned professionals can reach $98,670.

How much does it cost to become a welder in Hawaii? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($75) and application fee ($50) and required training.