State Rankings

Best States for Certified Welder (AWS)

Compare salary, training costs, reciprocity, and job growth across all 51 states to find the best place to start or advance your Certified Welder (AWS) career.

Highest Salary

Alaska

$77,100 median

Lowest Cost

Oklahoma

From $300

Fastest Growth

Massachusetts

3.5% growth

Rank by:

Reciprocity only (50)

#	State	Median Salary	Training Cost	Hours	Growth
1	Alaska	$77,100	$800–$2,500	120	1.5%
2	Hawaii	$76,540	$800–$2,500	100	1.8%
3	District of Columbia	$65,020	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
4	Wyoming	$62,510	$800–$2,500	120	1.8%
5	Washington	$60,350	$800–$2,500	150	2.5%
6	Connecticut	$59,580	$800–$2,500	100	1.5%
7	Massachusetts	$59,330	$800–$2,500	150	3.5%
8	Rhode Island	$58,980	$800–$2,500	144	2.2%
9	North Dakota	$58,900	$800–$2,500	90	2.2%
10	New Jersey	$57,300	$800–$2,500	N/A	2.2%
11	Louisiana	$56,360	$800–$2,500	100	2.2%
12	California	$56,100	$800–$2,500	144	2.2%
13	New York	$55,470	$800–$2,500	100	2.5%
14	Minnesota	$55,370	$800–$2,500	144	2.2%
15	New Hampshire	$55,130	$800–$2,500	150	2.0%
16	Maryland	$55,120	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
17	Oregon	$54,980	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
18	Delaware	$54,660	$800–$2,500	100	2.2%
19	Colorado	$54,560	$800–$2,500	N/A	2.5%
20	Virginia	$53,970	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
21	Maine	$53,280	$800–$2,500	75	1.8%
22	Nevada	$53,240	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
23	Utah	$51,030	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
24	Vermont	$50,960	$800–$2,500	150	1.5%
25	Wisconsin	$50,600	$800–$2,500	N/A	2.2%
26	Mississippi	$49,920	$800–$2,500	100	1.8%
27	Pennsylvania	$49,400	$800–$2,500	150	2.0%
28	New Mexico	$48,990	$800–$2,500	150	2.5%
29	North Carolina	$48,620	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
30	Iowa	$48,520	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
31	Nebraska	$48,500	$800–$2,500	150	2.0%
32	Texas	$48,500	$800–$2,500	N/A	2.2%
33	Arizona	$48,330	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
34	Kansas	$48,150	$800–$2,500	150	2.0%
35	Ohio	$47,700	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
36	Florida	$47,680	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
37	Indiana	$47,510	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
38	Missouri	$47,260	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
39	Montana	$47,220	$800–$2,500	150	1.8%
40	Oklahoma	$47,180	$300–$1,200	N/A	2.2%
41	Illinois	$47,080	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
42	South Carolina	$46,900	$800–$2,500	75	1.8%
43	Michigan	$46,410	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
44	Idaho	$46,340	$800–$2,500	75	2.2%
45	South Dakota	$46,300	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
46	Kentucky	$46,240	$800–$2,500	150	2.2%
47	West Virginia	$46,190	$800–$2,500	150	1.8%
48	Alabama	$46,110	$800–$2,500	120	2.2%
49	Georgia	$45,930	$800–$2,500	120	2.2%
50	Arkansas	$44,970	$800–$2,500	90	2.2%
51	Tennessee	$44,960	$800–$2,500	150	2.5%