Welder Apprenticeship in Vermont

Wages, programs & career outlook
VT Median Salary
$57,520/yr
+13% vs. national
National Median
$51,000/yr
VT Employment
340
Welders employed
VT Sponsors
530
Registered programs

Vermont Wage Spread

Annual wages for Welders in Vermont across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$40,060
25th %ile
$47,540
Median
$57,520
75th %ile
$63,200
90th %ile
$71,660

Welder Apprenticeship in Vermont

Welders in Vermont earn $57,520/yr at the median — 20% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

Vermont pays modestly above the national Welder median — $57,520 vs. $51,000, a 13% premium. Not a top-paying state, but above average.

Employment growth for Welders (2.2%) won't make headlines, but the underlying math still works: 45,600 workers need replacing every year, and apprenticeship is the primary training pipeline.

Vermont's 340 Welders represent just 0.1% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

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.

Vermont's 530 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.

Welder compensation in Vermont runs from $40,060 to $71,660 — a compressed $31,600 range. Less wage variation typically means more predictable career economics but fewer breakout earning opportunities.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Vermont

530 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Vermont. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
TW Electric Alburgh
Brophy Electric LLC Arlington
Bushee Plumbing & Heating Arlington
Mack Molding Arlington Bennington County
Miles Lumber Company Arlington
Randy Novotny Electrical Service, Inc. Arlington
Bolt, Inc. Athens
Cayer Electrical Systems, LLC. Barnard
Piper Electric, Inc. Barnard
Prosper Valley Electric Barnard
Benoit Electric, Inc. Barre Washington County
C. E. Wendel Electric Barre
Capstone Community Action Barre
Central Vermont Career Center Barre
Integrity Electric, LLC. Barre
J. A. Gould Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Barre
Judy.bourbeau@vermont.gov Barre
Mugford Electric, LLC. Barre
Natosi Solar Barre
Norway & Sons, Inc. Barre Washington County
Roberts Electric, PC. Barre
Rowell Plumbing and Heating Barre
SM Collins Electric, Inc. Barre
Orleans Central Supervisory Union Barton Orleans County
Bellows Falls Village Corporation Water Department Bellows Falls
+ 5 more sponsors in Vermont

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Vermont?
Welders in Vermont earn a median salary of $57,520/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $51,000 for the trade.
How long is a Welder 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.
Should I do a Welder apprenticeship or go to trade school?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Welders, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
What is the job outlook 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 Vermont?
There are 530 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Vermont. 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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Vermont, a first-year Welder apprentice might earn around $28,760/yr (roughly half the $57,520 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Welder in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Vermont

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