---
title: "How to Become a Welder: Training, Certs, and Salary  | WWA."
url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/blog/how-do-you-become-a-welder-in-2026"
---

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Certifications & Testing

# How Do You Become a Welder in 2026?

Western Welding AcademyPublished September 17, 2026Updated October 8, 20266 min read

In this article

1.  [What Are the Steps to Become a Welder?](#what-are-the-steps-to-become-a-welder)
2.  [How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?](#how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-welder)
3.  [What Welding Certifications Do You Need?](#what-welding-certifications-do-you-need)
4.  [How Much Do Welders Make in 2026?](#how-much-do-welders-make-in-2026)
5.  [What Do Western Welding Academy Graduates Earn?](#what-do-western-welding-academy-graduates-earn)
6.  [What Should You Look for in a Welding School?](#what-should-you-look-for-in-a-welding-school)
7.  [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
8.  [Start Your Welding Career Today](#start-your-welding-career-today)

## What Are the Steps to Become a Welder?

The path to becoming a welder follows a straightforward sequence. First, you need a high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum requirement for enrollment at most accredited welding programs and trade schools. No prior welding experience is required at schools like [Western Welding Academy](/), which accepts beginners across all four programs.

Second, you choose a welding program that matches your career goals. Pipe welding programs prepare you for pipeline, refinery, and power plant work with starting salaries between $50,000 and $125,000. Structural welding programs target commercial construction and fabrication roles. The program you choose determines the certifications you earn and the jobs you qualify for on graduation day.

Third, you complete hands-on training at a welding school. The best programs prioritize booth time over classroom lectures. At [Western Welding Academy](/), students spend 85% of their training time in the welding booth working with SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes on real pipe and structural steel. That is 480 to 960 booth hours in 12 to 24 weeks.

Fourth, you earn your welding certifications. AWS certifications, API 1104 pipeline certifications, and ASME Section IX pressure vessel certifications are the credentials employers look for. Graduating from an AWS Accredited Test Facility means you test and certify in the same facility where you trained. Fifth, you start your career. With a 94% hire rate within 90 days, graduates from top programs walk into jobs earning between $40,000 and $125,000 per year depending on the program completed and specialization chosen.

## How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?

The timeline depends on the program and the depth of training. Community college welding programs typically run 1 to 2 years. Apprenticeships take 3 to 5 years. Intensive trade school programs compress that timeline dramatically. If you want the fastest path to a welding career, you can learn more in this detailed breakdown of [how long welding school actually takes](/blog/how-long-is-welding-school).

The [Foundational Pipe Welder](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) program at [Western Welding Academy](/) runs 12 weeks at $17,050 with all-inclusive tuition covering housing, tools, and materials. The [Professional Pipe Welder](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) program is 19 weeks at $27,600. The [Expert Pipe Welder](/courses/expert-pipe-welder) program, the most comprehensive option, runs 24 weeks at $35,800 and covers all four welding processes across every position including 6G pipe. Students from all 50 states train in Gillette, Wyoming, and most graduates earn back their full tuition within 5 to 7 months of starting work.

## What Welding Certifications Do You Need?

The certifications you need depend on the type of welding work you want to do. For structural welding jobs, AWS D1.1 structural certifications in 3G and 4G positions are the standard. For pipe welding careers, 6G pipe certification is the most in-demand credential in the industry because it qualifies you to weld in all positions on pipe joints. For a deeper look at certification difficulty levels, read about [what the hardest welding certification actually is](/blog/what-is-the-hardest-welding-certification-6g-6gr-and-beyond).

Pipeline welders working under API 1104 certification earn the highest field rates because the testing standard is rigorous and the failure rate is high. ASME Section IX pressure vessel certification opens doors to refinery and power plant work. The 6GR restriction ring certification, which limits rod movement and visibility during the weld, is considered the most difficult standard welding test available. Graduates from the Expert Pipe Welder program at [Western Welding Academy](/) earn multiple certifications during training, tested at an AWS Accredited Test Facility with 330 combined years of instructor experience.

**Ready to start your welding career?** [**Apply now**](/apply) **or call** [**Western Welding Academy**](/) **at (307) 284-5313.**

## How Much Do Welders Make in 2026?

Welder salaries vary widely based on certification level, specialization, and willingness to travel. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median salary of $53,750 for welders. Pipeline welders, rig welders, and travel welders consistently earn above that median. Entry-level pipe welders with 6G certification start between $50,000 and $90,000. Experienced pipe welders with API 1104 or ASME IX certifications earn $80,000 to $150,000 or more, especially in remote or high-demand locations like the North Slope of Alaska, Gulf Coast refineries, and Permian Basin pipeline projects. For a full breakdown of what tuition costs and how earnings compare, read [how much welding school costs nationally](/blog/how-much-does-welding-school-cost).

| Career Path | Training Time | Key Certifications | Salary Range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Structural Welder | 12 Weeks | AWS D1.1, 3G/4G | $40,000 - $70,000 |
| Entry Pipe Welder | 12 Weeks | SMAW Pipe, 6G Intro | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Professional Pipe Welder | 19 Weeks | SMAW + GTAW, 6G Pipe | $50,000 - $90,000 |
| Expert Pipe Welder (WWA) | 24 Weeks | SMAW+GTAW+GMAW+FCAW, 6G All | $60,000 - $125,000 |
| Pipeline Welder (API 1104) | 24 Weeks + Field | API 1104, 6G, 6GR | $80,000 - $200,000+ |
| Rig Welder / Travel Welder | 24 Weeks + Experience | Multi-Process, Travel | $100,000 - $250,000+ |

Source: Western Welding Academy graduate data, BLS Occupational Outlook 2024, industry wage surveys

## What Do Western Welding Academy Graduates Earn?

The numbers below come from verified [Western Welding Academy](/) graduate records and paycheck documentation. These are not projections or estimates.

Source: Western Welding Academy verified graduate records and paycheck documentation

## What Should You Look for in a Welding School?

The school you choose determines how fast you get hired and how much you earn. Look for three things. First, booth time percentage. Schools that deliver 85% hands-on training produce better welders than schools that spend half the program in a classroom. Second, job placement rate. A 94% hire rate within 90 days means the school’s reputation opens doors with employers. Third, all-inclusive tuition. Hidden fees for housing, tools, and materials inflate the real cost of training. At [Western Welding Academy](/), every program includes housing, tools, welding materials, PPE, and certifications in one price.

**Ready to start your welding career?** [**Apply now**](/apply) **or call** [**Western Welding Academy**](/) **at (307) 284-5313.**

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q1. How long does it take to become a welder?**

It takes 12 to 24 weeks at an intensive trade school, 1 to 2 years at a community college, or 3 to 5 years through an apprenticeship. Western Welding Academy offers programs at 12, 19, and 24 weeks with 85% hands-on booth training and all-inclusive tuition starting at $17,050.

**Q2. Do you need a degree to become a welder?**

No. A high school diploma or GED is the only educational requirement for most welding programs. Welding careers are built on certifications and demonstrated skill, not academic degrees. Many welders earn $60,000 to $125,000 per year without ever attending a four-year college.

**Q3. How much does welding school cost?**

Welding school costs range from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on the program length and what is included. Western Welding Academy programs range from $17,050 for the 12-week Foundational program to $35,800 for the 24-week Expert program. All tuition is all-inclusive with no hidden fees.

**Q4. What is the highest paying welding job?**

Pipeline welders and rig welders earn the highest wages, with experienced professionals earning $100,000 to $200,000 per year in travel or remote positions. North Slope Alaska pipeline welders and Gulf Coast refinery shutdown welders consistently earn at the top end of the scale.

**Q5. Can you become a welder with no experience?**

Yes. Most accredited welding schools accept students with zero prior experience. Western Welding Academy trains students from all 50 states who arrive with no welding background and graduate job-ready in 12 to 24 weeks with industry certifications.

**Q6. What makes Western Welding Academy different from other welding schools?**

Western Welding Academy delivers 85% booth time, all-inclusive tuition covering housing, tools, and materials, lifetime retraining for every graduate, 330 combined years of instructor pipeline experience, and a 94% hire rate within 90 days verified by a 234-alumni survey. It is an AWS Accredited Test Facility.

## Start Your Welding Career Today

The welding industry needs 82,500 new welders every year. The tools, training, and certifications exist to get you from zero experience to a full-time welding career in as little as 12 weeks. The only question is when you start. Call [Western Welding Academy](/) at (307) 284-5313 or [apply now](/apply) to begin your welding career.

## Watch

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In this article

1.  [What Are the Steps to Become a Welder?](#what-are-the-steps-to-become-a-welder)
2.  [How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?](#how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-welder)
3.  [What Welding Certifications Do You Need?](#what-welding-certifications-do-you-need)
4.  [How Much Do Welders Make in 2026?](#how-much-do-welders-make-in-2026)
5.  [What Do Western Welding Academy Graduates Earn?](#what-do-western-welding-academy-graduates-earn)
6.  [What Should You Look for in a Welding School?](#what-should-you-look-for-in-a-welding-school)
7.  [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
8.  [Start Your Welding Career Today](#start-your-welding-career-today)

Train in Gillette, WY

Pipe welding programs

-   [Foundational Pipe Welder12 wks · $17,050](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder)
-   [Professional Pipe Welder19 wks · $27,600](/courses/professional-pipe-welder)
-   [Expert Pipe Welder24 wks · $35,800](/courses/expert-pipe-welder)
-   [Advanced Structural Welding12 wks · $25,800](/courses/advanced-structural-welding)

All-inclusive: tuition, tools and gear, and housing.

[Apply now](/apply)[Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)

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