Welding Schools in Louisiana

Welders are professionals who have trained for years to fabricate and manipulate strong metals using heat and other specialized equipment. And even though this may seem like a daunting task at first, the path to becoming a welder in Louisiana is quite straightforward.

As one would expect, the hardest and most important part is the training. But once this is complete, the additional requirements can be completed easily and should come naturally once you have obtained the right foundational knowledge from a training school.

To that end, we have provided an in-depth guide below containing key information on how to become a welder in Louisiana, including how to begin, the potential salary, and certification/licensure requirements.

How to Become a Welder in Louisiana

Louisiana has a straightforward path for aspiring welders. First, a high school diploma or GED is required to gain admission into top programs and become certified.

Those with these credentials may proceed to enroll in any of the top programs in the state, including the ones we have listed below. From there, certification is the next important step.

No law requires all welders to be licensed, but it is still a highly advisable endeavor because it lends more credibility and makes employment seeking more convenient.

All in all, it takes around two years for most aspiring welders to complete all of these steps and begin their job search. Accelerated programs, of course, may take less time.

Top Welder Schools in Louisiana

Having become familiar with the most common pathway for becoming a welder in Louisiana, below are some of the best training programs to consider to help you get there quickly and effectively.

Explore welding schools by city:

• Welding Schools in New Orleans

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Louisiana, like most other states, does not have licensure requirements for welders. This means that individuals only need to complete their high school diploma or GED, complete an accredited training program, and they can begin seeking employment in establishments of choice.

As mentioned earlier, to make the employment-seeking process a lot more convenient, it is usually advisable to pursue certification. Employers simply give more consideration to certified welders than those who are not.

Among the certification options available to welders in Louisiana are the Certified Welder, Certified Welding Educator, Certified Welding Inspector, and Certified Welding credentials, all offered by the American Welding Society (AWS).

Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for welders in Louisiana is $50,793 annually, 11% higher than the national average. For individual welders, the exact number depends on factors such as experience level and location.

Those with less than a year of experience earn around $53,855 annually, while those with over 10 years of experience earn an annual average salary of $58,037.

As for specific locations within the state, New Iberia, Gonzales, and Morgan City are the top three highest paying, with annual averages of $55,850, $52,451, and $52,188, respectively. Baton Rouge and Alexandria round up the top five with $50,448 and $48,450, respectively, in annual average salary.

Consider exploring nearby states with comparable salaries and job outlooks:

• Welder salaries in Texas