Welding Schools in New Mexico

Metal fabrication technology has advanced significantly in recent years. In New Mexico, where there are unique needs and a need for innovation, welders thrive and are in high demand.

Residents who would like to pursue a career in this field are expected to train, acquire knowledge, and build relevant skills that will make them appealing to prospective clients and customers.

Readers of this page interested in pursuing a welding career in New Mexico will be glad to know that we have broken down all the necessary considerations to make in the sections below. We don’t just explore the basic educational requirements; we also look at the licensing and certification options for career growth and specific training programs in the state to enroll in.

We also break down the salary projections for candidates based on a few important factors.

How to Become a Welder in New Mexico

Candidates must follow the steps below to start their welding careers in New Mexico.

Prepare for Training

Preparing for training is the first step to starting a welding career in New Mexico. Individuals achieve this by having the necessary documents, such as a high school diploma or GED, which will be needed to secure admission into a training program.

They also get in shape, as the profession can be physically challenging. Lastly, candidates must familiarize themselves with possible sub-disciplines, including gas metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding.

Educational Pathway

Welders are expected to receive classroom and hands-on training to start their careers. The classroom training aspect of their education is typically acquired through a trade school such as a community college or vocational institution.

Once they complete their programs, they will earn valuable certificates and degrees contributing to career growth. In a later section below, we highlight some of the top programs for candidates to consider for their welding education.

Consistent Improvement and Credentials

After completing their training, candidates may start to work on improving themselves and their career prospects. One way to do this is by joining a professional organization and acquiring professional credentials.

We dive deeper into this issue in the upcoming section.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn to become a plumber in New Mexico

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Welders in New Mexico are not expected to receive a state license before they can start their professional careers, and they are not expected to have a professional credential through certification, either.

However, candidates may pursue certification simply because it offers several career benefits. The American Welding Society is commonly called the authority on professional certification for welders nationwide.

The society has several possible credentials to help candidates validate their skills and show their expertise to potential customers and employers. These include the Certified Welding Inspector credential for welding inspection and quality control professionals, the Certified Welding Educator credential for those in educational fields, and the Certified Welding Technologist credential for general knowledge of welding technology.

Top Welding Schools in New Mexico

These are the top schools for aspiring welders in New Mexico:

Explore welding schools in New Mexico by city:

• Welding schools in Albuquerque

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for welders in New Mexico can get as high as $56,272 – when candidates fall among the median earners in the state. When they fall among the top 10%, they can earn an annual average salary of $99,686.

The lowest-paid in the state, in the bottom 10%, still make an average annual salary of around $31,765.

Candidates should work on their specialty skills, professional credentials, capacity for employment, and even location within the state when trying to scale their salary and move up to be among the highest-paid.

The best places to work in New Mexico for a higher relative salary include Rio Rancho, with an annual average salary of $75,782; Santa Fe, with an annual average salary of $66,744; and Hobbs, with an annual average salary of $62,398.

It is also worth pointing out that the projections for the welding field in New Mexico are favorable. The country is set to hire more welders in the coming decades, and New Mexico is no different.