The welding industry plays a major role across manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, and more. Welders are essential across many industries, and with an aging workforce, expanding infrastructure projects, and manufacturing growth, the demand for new skilled welding professionals remains strong!
New projections from the American Welding Society say that the industry will need approximately 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029, with 80,000 welding jobs needing to be filled annually from 2025 to 2029*. These figures highlight the real need to push for skilled welder training, and that there’s never been a better time to break into a field where your skills are desirable from the jump!
If you're considering a career in welding, or run a business that is looking to scale up its workforce, then understanding current job trends, skill requirements, and earning potential is important!
Since the welding industry has crossover with so many other essential industries, the workforce is uniquely diverse, spanning a wide range of standard and specialized roles. This is a positive not only for job availability, but also for individual job seekers' choice. The diversity allows welders to choose a pathway that interests them or aligns perfectly with their certifications and skill set.
To name a few, there are boilermakers, sheet metal workers, structural ironworkers and steelworkers, metal fabricators and fitters, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, machine operators, welding instructors, welding inspectors, and so much more! The American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric have collaborated to create this great resource that lets you filter through level of education, minimum pay, and desired location to find the career in welding that’s perfect for you. 
There's no single figure for how much a welder earns since salaries vary depending on the type of job, experience level, and location, but welding is still a well-paying trade with high earning potential!
National averages put boilermakers at a median salary of $71,000 per year*, ironworkers at around $62,000 per year*, and fabricators approximately $48,500 per year* - and that's just the average you can achieve with only a high school diploma. Seeking out further education or certifications can earn you more! For instance with an associate degree shipfitters earn a national average of $60,00 per year*, welding educators a median pay of $62,000 per year*, and a technical salesperson an average of $64,000 per year*. Getting a bachelor's degree or a master's degree can open up opportunities like being a welding engineer making a median average $95,000 per year* or a welding research scientist earning a national average of $115,000 per year*. *2026 data and figures courtesy of the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric
The welding industry is in a period of strong growth, so if you’re looking for a excellent job security, a competitive salary, and plenty of career advancement opportunities, then welding might be the choice for you. There is room for you in the 2026 workforce and now is the perfect time to start!
Interested in starting or advancing your welding career? Explore our comprehensive welder training program, work towards a new certification at our ATF test centers, or check out our ever-growing list of aid and scholarship programs and secure your place in this high-demand field! 
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Baltimore, MDWelding Supply & Gas Showroom
Welder Training & Testing Center (through AACC and CCBC) 8204 Pulaski Hwy Baltimore, MD 21237 Hours: Mon- Fri 7:30 AM - 5PM Phone: (410) 687-8400 Fax: (410) 687-1394 AACC Clauson Center for Innovation and Skilled TradesWelder Training & Testing Center at AACC Campus
101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012 Phone: (410) 687-8400 |
Beltsville, MDWelding Supply & Gas Showroom
10792 Tucker St Beltsville, MD 20705 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30AM - 4:30PM Phone: (301) 937-8884 Fax: (301) 937-1811 York, PAWelding Supply & Gas Showroom
Welder Training & Testing Center through Johnson College 95 Aberdeen Rd York, PA 17406 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30AM - 4:30PM Phone: (717) 916-6611 Fax: (717) 764-1281 |
Scranton, PAWelding Supply & Gas Showroom
4961 Birney Ave Scranton, PA 18507 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30AM - 5:00PM Phone: (570) 457-8954 Welder Training & Testing Center at Johnson College Campus
3427 N Main Ave Scranton, PA 18508 Phone: (410) 687-8400 |
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*Training Compliance Notice
Pennsylvania:
All welding courses offered in Pennsylvania are Johnson College Continuing Education programs delivered at Earlbeck’s York, PA facility under Johnson College’s licensure and academic oversight. Johnson College manages registration, tuition, refunds, and student records for Pennsylvania programs.
Maryland:
In Maryland, welding classes are offered to the public through Earlbeck’s instructional partnerships with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). These programs are administered through the respective colleges, which oversee enrollment, academic standards, and student records.
Intermediate and Advanced welding classes offered through our college partnerships include certification testing as part of the course. Students must pass all required tests in accordance with AWS and ASME code standards to earn welder certification.
Pennsylvania:
All welding courses offered in Pennsylvania are Johnson College Continuing Education programs delivered at Earlbeck’s York, PA facility under Johnson College’s licensure and academic oversight. Johnson College manages registration, tuition, refunds, and student records for Pennsylvania programs.
Maryland:
In Maryland, welding classes are offered to the public through Earlbeck’s instructional partnerships with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). These programs are administered through the respective colleges, which oversee enrollment, academic standards, and student records.
Intermediate and Advanced welding classes offered through our college partnerships include certification testing as part of the course. Students must pass all required tests in accordance with AWS and ASME code standards to earn welder certification.
