Welder Apprenticeship in Ohio

Wages, programs & career outlook
OH Median Salary
$49,410/yr
-3% vs. national
National Median
$51,000/yr
OH Employment
20,110
Welders employed
OH Sponsors
805
Registered programs

Ohio Wage Spread

Annual wages for Welders in Ohio across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$38,380
25th %ile
$45,490
Median
$49,410
75th %ile
$57,790
90th %ile
$67,500

Welder Apprenticeship in Ohio

The $49,410 median for Ohio Welders tracks close to the national all-occupation average. The value here is in the apprenticeship model: earn while you learn, graduate debt-free.

At $49,410 per year, Ohio 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 20,110 Welders in Ohio (4.6% of the national total) place the state in the middle tier for trade employment. Apprenticeship availability tracks accordingly — present but not abundant.

Expect a 3-year commitment for a Welder apprenticeship: 6,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in precision measurement, CNC operations, and metallurgy. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Ohio's 805 registered apprenticeship sponsors create one of the more competitive markets for program placement. Candidates should apply to multiple programs, as the most popular ones fill quickly.

From $38,380 at the 10th percentile to $67,500 at the 90th, Welder wages in Ohio are fairly compressed. Flat wage structures are common in heavily unionized trades where pay scales are negotiated collectively.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Ohio

805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
AKRON FIRE DEPT. TRAINING DEPT. Akron Summit County
Akron Area Electrical JATC Akron Summit County
Community Drug Board, Inc. Akron
ELECTRICIANS JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
IBH Addiction Recovery Akron
Landi Industries Akron
OhioMeansJobs Summit County Akron
Oriana House, Inc, Akron Summit County
Oriana House, Inc. Akron
PLUMBERS, STEAMFITTERS & MES JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
Summit/Medina Workforce Development Board Akron
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON Akron Summit County
Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services, Inc. Akron
WHITACRE GREER COMPANY Alliance Mahoning County
NORTHERN OHIO ADMIN DISTRICT CO OF BRICKLAYERS Amherst Lorain County
ORRSON CUSTOM FARMING LTD. Apple Creek
Northwest State Community College Archbold Fulton County
Sauder Manufacturing Co. Archbold
BCU Electric, Inc. Ashland
OhioMeansJobs Ashland County Ashland
INEOS KOH Ashtabula Ashtabula County
INEOS PIGMENTS PLANT 1 Ashtabula Ashtabula County
OhioMeansJobs - Ashtabula County Ashtabula
AREA 14 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD Athens Athens County
Athens Mold and Machine Athens
+ 5 more sponsors in Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Ohio?
Welders in Ohio earn a median salary of $49,410/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $51,000 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Welder through apprenticeship?
A typical Welder apprenticeship lasts approximately 3 years (6,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
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.
Are Welder jobs growing?
The BLS projects 2.2% employment growth for Welders through 2034 — modest demand. About 45600 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Welder apprenticeship in Ohio?
There are 805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Welder apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $24,705/yr in Ohio). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Welder in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Ohio

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