Welding Schools in Rhode Island

The field of welding can be an incredibly exciting one. These professionals can lend their expertise to create unbelievable creations that can be utilized in several fields, from automobiles and aviation to shipbuilding and civil construction.

Individuals in Rhode Island will be glad to know that starting a welding career is as direct as possible. There are several high-quality training programs to receive training, and the platform to become certified is very straightforward.

Below, we analyze all the expectations and steps involved in this process. We also examine the possible annual income for professionals in this field and the factors they may employ to improve their salaries as much as possible.

How to Become a Welder in Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island expects candidates to follow the steps below to start their welding careers.

Preparatory Requirements

To become a welder in Rhode Island, candidates must put themselves in a position to secure enrollment into the best training programs. Currently, these programs prefer candidates who have a high school diploma or GED, high scores on the ACT/SAT and are in great physical condition to handle the job demands.

Educational Arrangements

The most important step to becoming a welder in Rhode Island is to receive a proper education. There are several community colleges and technical schools in the area that candidates can consult to achieve these objectives.

We explore prominent options in an upcoming section.

Candidates can choose between short-term certificate programs and relatively long-term associate degree programs. Upon graduation, they may also be able to earn valuable certification.

In Rhode Island, it is possible to become a welder by participating in an apprenticeship program organized by a trade union or a professional organization.

Securing job placement

After they feel they are educated enough in terms of theoretical and practical understanding of the profession, Rhode Island residents may go on to secure employment as professional welders. At this point, they may choose a specialty area, including construction, shipbuilding, and aerospace.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become an electrician in Rhode Island

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The American Welding Society offers highly reputable professional certifications for welders in Rhode Island. However, candidates working as welders professionally here are not expected to become licensed or certified.

Employers have the prerogative regarding the conditions for the kind of professionals they would like to hire, and the steps above are the major expectations. However, some employers prefer to work with certified welders instead of non-certified ones.

This is why AWS credentials are very common among welders in the state. Candidates who want to become certified by the American Welding Society must pass a certification examination in their selected specialty area and current level of expertise.

The organization offers the Certified Welder, Certified Welding Inspector, and Certified Welding Educator credentials, among others. The National Institute for Metalworking Skills is another high-quality organization to consider.

Top Welding Schools in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has the following high-quality training programs for prospective welders.

Explore welding schools in Rhode Island by city:

• Welding schools in Providence

Salary & Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that welder employment will continue to grow by 2% every year for the next 10 years, resulting in thousands of job openings for candidates in Rhode Island.

Currently, a welder in the state who is among the top 10% makes an annual average salary of $71,995; those who are among the bottom 10% make an annual average salary of $48,442; and those who are among the median earners take home an annual average salary of $59,055.

In optimizing their experience and location, candidates can significantly increase their annual income and move from a low-earning category to a high-earning category. However, experience and location are only some of the factors worth considering.

A professional’s credentials, employer, and specialty focus will also influence their annual salary. Regarding location alone, Providence is the highest-paying city for welders in Rhode Island, with an annual average salary of $59,407.

Coming second is Warren, with an annual average salary of $59,407 respectively.