Welder Career Guide in Alaska
Explore welder salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Alaska.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become a Welder in Alaska
Welders commonly train through AVTEC, University of Alaska programs, union apprenticeships, shipyard employers, or industrial contractors. Structural and pipe welders normally complete employer or code-specific performance tests.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Welder Salary in Alaska
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Alaska median wage for welder workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $51,000, the median wage in Alaska is approximately $29,840 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Welders in Alaska
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONWelder Training Requirements in Alaska
Welders in Alaska generally qualify through technical education, apprenticeship, military training, or supervised employment.
- Complete training in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, thermal cutting, fabrication, and blueprint reading.
- Gain supervised experience with the metals, positions, joint designs, and welding procedures required by the employer.
- Pass AWS, ASME, API, Navy, or employer performance tests when working on code-controlled projects.
- Complete safety training for hot work, confined spaces, fall protection, ventilation, and cold-weather jobsite conditions.
- Work through a properly registered contractor when welding forms part of regulated construction work.
Welder Training Providers in Alaska
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Vocational Technical Center | Seward | View Program |
| University of Alaska Anchorage Community & Technical College | Anchorage | View Program |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College | Fairbanks | View Program |
| Alaska Technical Center | Kotzebue | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESWelder Apprenticeship Programs in Alaska
Registered Apprenticeship Program
Organization: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Welder Licensing Requirements in Alaska
Alaska does not issue a general occupational license for employee welders. Businesses contracting for construction work must generally register as contractors, while mechanical, boiler, pressure-vessel, pipeline, and public-works projects may require licensed administration, inspection, or project-specific welder qualification.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSWelder Job Outlook in Alaska
Alaska’s latest long-term projection indicates modest employment growth for welders and approximately 170 annual openings during the 2022–2032 projection period.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the welder salary in Alaska?
The statewide median wage for welders in Alaska is approximately $80,840 per year, or $38.87 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Alaska require welder licensing?
Licensing requirements for welder workers in Alaska vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with Alaska Department of Commerce — Construction Contractors Program before beginning work or applying for an examination.
How long does it take to become a welder in Alaska?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 6 Months–2 Years, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are welders in demand in Alaska?
Alaska projects welder employment to grow by approximately 5% from 2022 to 2032, with about 170 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Alaska Wages for Welder (SOC 51-4121) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Alaska Welder Wages
- Alaska Welder Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Alaska Welder Employment Trends
- Alaska Department of Commerce — Construction Contractors Program — Licensing authority. Alaska Department of Commerce — Construction Contractors Program