Welder in New York

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

Median annual salary

$57,230

trending_up +12.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering

7,810

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Stable

+2.2%

10-yr job growth

payments

$600

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (depends on obtaining AWS or NYSDOT certification and background investigation)

Time to complete

route How to become a welder in New York

To become a licensed structural welder in New York City, individuals must obtain a Welder License from the NYC Department of Buildings. This requires successfully completing either the American Welding Society (AWS) Manual-Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process (SMAW) certifications or the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Field Welder Certification (SMAW). After obtaining the required welding certifications, applicants must undergo a background investigation and submit an application through DOB NOW: Licensing. There is no specific education prerequisite, but applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to read and write English.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,130

25th percentile $48,340

50th (median) $57,230

75th percentile $66,280

90th (experienced) $80,910

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

checklist New York requirements

Licensing body	New York City Department of Buildings
State license	Not required
Education	None (High school diploma or equivalent recommended for general welding career path, but not a specific licensing prerequisite)
Exam	AWS Certified Welder (SMAW) or NYSDOT Field Welder Certification (SMAW)
Application fee	$330
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Notes	Licensing for structural welding in New York City is regulated at the city level by the NYC Department of Buildings. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, able to read and write English, and possess good moral character. The NYC Department of Buildings no longer issues designations of Class 1, 1R, 2, 2R, 3, 3R or 4 Welder licenses. The NYS Department of Transportation also has a separate certification program for its projects, which requires maintaining a work record signed every six months by a qualified person.

Source: New York City Department of Buildings

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?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$600 investment ÷ $57,230 median salary

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

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a welder in New York? expand_more

New York requires welders to complete the required education (None (High school diploma or equivalent recommended for general welding career path, but not a specific licensing prerequisite)), pass the AWS Certified Welder (SMAW) or NYSDOT Field Welder Certification (SMAW), and submit your application ($330 fee).

Can I work as a welder in New York without a license? expand_more

welders in New York are not required to hold a state license. Note: Licensing for structural welding in New York City is regulated at the city level by the NYC Department of Buildings. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, able to read and write English, and possess good moral character. The NYC Department of Buildings no longer issues designations of Class 1, 1R, 2, 2R, 3, 3R or 4 Welder licenses. The NYS Department of Transportation also has a separate certification program for its projects, which requires maintaining a work record signed every six months by a qualified person.

What do welders earn in New York? expand_more

In New York, the median pay for welders comes to $57,230/year. That's 12% above the national median of $51,000. Wages range from $40,130 (10th percentile) up to $80,910 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get welder certified in New York? expand_more

Between application fee ($330), expect to invest around $600 in total to get started.

What's the timeline to become a welder in New York? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies (depends on obtaining AWS or NYSDOT certification and background investigation) from start to finish in New York — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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