Welder Career Guide in Rhode Island
Explore welder salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Rhode Island.
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How to Become a Welder in Rhode Island
Welders may train through technical schools, union apprenticeships, shipbuilding programs, or employer-sponsored instruction. Marine, pipe, pressure, and structural welding typically requires procedure-specific testing.
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 Rhode Island
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island is approximately $7,700 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Welders in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island welders usually enter the occupation through career and technical education, apprenticeship, or paid employer training.
- Complete training in arc welding, MIG, flux-cored and TIG processes, thermal cutting, fabrication, and blueprint reading.
- Gain supervised practice in structural, pipe, marine, stainless-steel, aluminum, or pressure-system welding.
- Pass AWS, ASME, Navy, or employer qualification tests when required by the project.
- Complete OSHA and employer safety training for hot work, confined spaces, ventilation, fall hazards, and compressed gases.
- Register the business or work through an appropriately licensed contractor when performing regulated construction work.
Welder Training Providers in Rhode Island
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich | View Program |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | View Program |
| Davies Career and Technical High School | Lincoln | View Program |
| Warwick Area Career and Technical Center | Warwick | 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 Rhode Island
Welding and Shipbuilding Training Program
Organization: General Dynamics Electric Boat
Registered Apprenticeship Program
Organization: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Welder Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not issue a general occupational license for welders. Contractor registration may apply to businesses performing construction welding. Boiler, pressure-vessel, plumbing, pipefitting, fire-protection, and public-works projects may require additional licensed supervision or code qualification.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSWelder Job Outlook in Rhode Island
Rhode Island projects approximately 5% welder employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 120 annual openings from growth and worker replacement.
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 Rhode Island?
The statewide median wage for welders in Rhode Island is approximately $58,700 per year, or $28.22 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Rhode Island require welder licensing?
Licensing requirements for welder workers in Rhode Island vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board before beginning work or applying for an examination.
How long does it take to become a welder in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island projects welder employment to grow by approximately 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 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
- Rhode Island Wages for Welder (SOC 51-4121) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Rhode Island Welder Wages
- Rhode Island Welder Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Rhode Island Welder Employment Trends
- Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board — Licensing authority. Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board