Welder Apprenticeship in Florida

Wages, programs & career outlook
FL Median Salary
$49,430/yr
-3% vs. national
National Median
$51,000/yr
FL Employment
16,390
Welders employed
FL Sponsors
1447
Registered programs

Florida Wage Spread

Annual wages for Welders in Florida across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$38,430
25th %ile
$44,930
Median
$49,430
75th %ile
$60,130
90th %ile
$68,420

Welder Apprenticeship in Florida

Welders in Florida earn $49,430/yr — roughly in line with the $48,060 national median across all occupations. The financial case depends on low training costs and strong job security.

At $49,430 per year, Florida pays roughly the national average for Welders. Neither a wage premium nor a discount — average market conditions.

Growth projections are modest at 2.2%, though the 45,600 annual replacement openings tell a better story. Retiring baby boomers in the trades create persistent demand regardless of economic cycles.

The 16,390 Welders in Florida (3.8% of the national total) place the state in the middle tier for trade employment. Apprenticeship availability tracks accordingly — present but not abundant.

The Welder apprenticeship path spans 3 years in a time-based format. During those 6,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in precision measurement, CNC operations, and metallurgy.

The apprenticeship infrastructure in Florida is extensive: 1,447 registered sponsors operate across the state. Union halls, contractors, and joint apprenticeship committees all accept applications.

The wage band for Welders in Florida is narrow: $38,430 to $68,420 at the extremes. The $29,990 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Florida

1447 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Florida. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
City of Alachua Alachua
John F. Crawford Homes Alachua
Advent Health Information Technology Altamonte Springs
Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, LLC Altamonte Springs
CareerSource Gulf Coast Apalachicola
Cable Electrical Services, Inc. Apopka
FINFROCK Apprenticeship, INJ Apopka Orange County
Innovative Service Solutions, LLC Apopka
JE Technology Solutions, Inc. Apopka
JK2 Scenic, LLC Apopka
Southern Plumbing Company of Orlando, Inc. Apopka
VMG Mechanical, LLC Apopka
CareerSource Heartland Arcadia
DeSoto County Utilities Arcadia
City of Auburndale Auburndale
Michael I. Newbern Air Conditioning Contractor, Inc. Auburndale
HEARTLAND A/C APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM GNJ Avon Park Highlands County
HEARTLAND ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM GNJ Avon Park Highlands County
John Palmer Electric, Inc. Avon Park
Long's Air Conditioning, Inc. Avon Park
Non-Stop Electric, Inc. Avon Park
Steel Blue Fabrication LLC Avon Park
Thompson Electrical Contracting, Inc. Avon Park
Plumbing Ahead LLC Bal Harbour
American Compliance Technologies, Inc. dba A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure Bartow
+ 5 more sponsors in Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Welders make in Florida?
The median annual wage for Welders in Florida is $49,430 as of May 2024. Wages range from $38,430 at the 10th percentile to $68,420 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of a Welder apprenticeship program?
Most Welder apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Welder apprenticeship and trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Welders combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Is there demand for Welders?
Demand for Welders is modest, with 2.2% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Welder apprenticeship in Florida?
Contact one of the 1447 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Florida, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
How much do Welder apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Florida, a first-year Welder apprentice might earn around $24,715/yr (roughly half the $49,430 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Welder in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Florida

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.