How Do You Become a Welding Instructor?
- BLS reports career and technical education teachers typically spend years in their field before teaching.
- Median pay: $63,820 a year for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (BLS, May 2025); highest in Wisconsin at $82,620.
- Typical entry education, per BLS: bachelor's degree.
- Outlook: -0.3% projected employment change over 2025–35, with about 8,000 openings a year.
What Does a Welding Instructor Do?
Welding instructors teach welding techniques and safety to students earning certificates, diplomas or associate degrees, BLS notes, and to high school career and technical education students.
Welding instructors teach the trade in high school career and technical education programs, community and technical colleges, and private welding schools. BLS gives welding instructors as its example of a postsecondary career and technical education teacher. The job typically includes:
- Creating lesson plans and assignments
- Demonstrating techniques, tools and equipment
- Supervising safe use of tools in the welding lab
- Having students practice procedures until they meet trade standards
- Monitoring progress and grading work
- Enforcing classroom rules and safety procedures
In middle and high schools, career and technical education teachers teach general concepts in the classroom and practical exercises in workshops. In postsecondary schools they teach the specific skills that lead to a certificate, diploma or associate degree. BLS notes some teachers work with local businesses to arrange practical work experience for students and advise student career organizations.
AWS frames the welding educator's knowledge in two parts: teaching technique (lesson planning, curriculum design and classroom management for different learning styles) and welding theory (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW and FCAW processes, welding symbols and blueprints, and welding metallurgy).
Where Welding Instructors Work and What the Job Is Like
Career and technical education teachers held about 250,200 jobs in 2025: 123,100 postsecondary, 110,500 in high schools and 16,600 in middle schools. Local school districts employed 47%, public colleges 21% and private technical and trade schools 16%.
High school teachers generally work school hours on a 10-month year with summers off. Postsecondary instructors, especially at colleges, may teach and plan lessons during evenings and weekends, which matters because many welding programs run evening sections for working adults.
| Largest employers (BLS OOH) | Share of jobs, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Local elementary and secondary schools | 47% |
| Public colleges and universities | 21% |
| Private technical and trade schools | 16% |
| Private colleges | 5% |
How to Become a Welding Instructor (Certified Welding Educator): Step by Step
- 1Work as a welder first
BLS reports career and technical education teachers typically spend years in their field before teaching.
- 2Meet the school's teaching requirements
Public schools may require a state-issued teaching certification or license, generally with a bachelor's degree and student teaching. Community and technical colleges set their own requirements.
- 3Earn the CWE credential
AWS requires a high school diploma, completion of a welding training program or equivalent, and five years of welding-related experience; the exam covers teaching techniques and welding theory.
How to Become a Welding Instructor: Training and Education
BLS says career and technical education teachers typically need work experience in the subject they teach, and public schools usually require a bachelor's degree, a student-teaching period and a state teaching certificate or license. Certification generally involves a minimum GPA, a background check, a general teaching test and a subject-knowledge test.
Some states offer an alternative route for people with a bachelor's degree or work experience in their field who lack education courses; these programs cover teaching methods, lesson planning and classroom management. Community colleges and private schools set their own hiring rules and often weigh industry experience heavily.
BLS also notes that teachers preparing students for an occupation that requires certification may need to hold it themselves; welding teachers, for example, may need welding certification.
Welding school is widely available: 892 U.S. colleges and schools conferred 50,572 welding certificates and degrees in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Find welding schools by state and city or compare verified programs.
Licenses and Credentials
Public-school teachers may need a state license and annual professional development to keep it. Requirements vary by state.
Welding Instructor Certification
The AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE) credential requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a welding training program or equivalent education, and at least five years of experience in a role related to welding codes or standards: production, construction, inspection or repair. Teaching experience is preferred but not required.
The exam has two parts. Part A covers teaching techniques and instructional strategies; Part B covers welding theory and processes, including SMAW, GMAW, GTAW and FCAW, welding symbols and metallurgy.
Skills That Matter in This Job
- Communication
- Explaining concepts in terms students understand.
- Organization
- Coordinating time, lab space and teaching materials.
- Patience
- Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds.
- Trade credibility
- Years of welding work behind every demonstration.
Where the Career Leads
BLS notes experienced teachers can become mentors or lead teachers, and with more education, instructional coordinators, school counselors or principals.
Welding Instructor (CWE) Salary and Job Outlook
Half of career/technical education teachers, postsecondary earned more than $63,820 in May 2025, about $30.68 an hour. The middle half earned between $50,320 and $82,360, across 114,110 jobs in the wage survey. BLS projects employment to change -0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 8,000 openings a year as workers retire or change jobs.
| Employment, 2025 | 123,100 |
|---|---|
| Projected employment, 2035 | 122,700 |
| Projected change, 2025–35 | -0.3% (all occupations: +3.5%) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 |
| Related work experience | Less than 5 years |
| Related: Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | Median $66,270, -0.4% projected |
National annual wages for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1194). Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Welding Instructor (CWE) Salary by State
Wisconsin pays career/technical education teachers, postsecondary the most, a median of $82,620, and Puerto Rico the least, $42,470. The top 10% earn the most in New Mexico (more than $177,330).
| State | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $82,620 | $123,850 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $79,610 | $103,660 | 1,980 |
| Massachusetts | $78,780 | $122,830 | 1,660 |
| Washington | $77,530 | $129,790 | 3,610 |
| Alaska | $77,310 | $106,680 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $76,920 | $123,770 | 1,510 |
| California | $76,630 | $168,680 | 11,040 |
| New York | $75,170 | $123,700 | 5,250 |
| Wyoming | $74,210 | $119,310 | 360 |
| North Dakota | $73,570 | $104,290 | 430 |
| South Dakota | $72,940 | $85,100 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $72,440 | $101,060 | 2,590 |
| Colorado | $70,130 | $97,850 | 2,060 |
| Oklahoma | $67,060 | $104,170 | 3,040 |
| Oregon | $65,430 | $132,100 | 1,140 |
| Rhode Island | $65,210 | $97,680 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $65,200 | $89,110 | 300 |
| Texas | $65,180 | $106,820 | 12,620 |
| New Hampshire | $65,040 | $128,800 | 220 |
| Arizona | $64,930 | $131,020 | 2,190 |
| Michigan | $63,440 | $121,690 | 3,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,160 | $103,010 | 4,780 |
| Alabama | $62,580 | $122,750 | 2,350 |
| Illinois | $62,480 | $121,630 | 4,420 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | $98,530 | 210 |
| Delaware | $62,400 | $99,140 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $62,390 | $82,010 | 6,510 |
| Tennessee | $62,310 | $91,170 | 2,140 |
| Iowa | $62,270 | $96,210 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $62,060 | $109,300 | 780 |
| Maine | $61,740 | $139,640 | 510 |
| Nevada | $61,740 | $99,230 | 950 |
| Kentucky | $61,080 | $73,270 | 1,560 |
| Ohio | $60,600 | $98,990 | 3,440 |
| Nebraska | $60,490 | $100,080 | 470 |
| New Mexico | $60,490 | $177,330 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $60,320 | $76,630 | 3,920 |
| Florida | $59,990 | $126,090 | 7,600 |
| Idaho | $59,730 | $96,940 | 570 |
| Missouri | $59,640 | $95,970 | 1,630 |
| Connecticut | $59,420 | $105,190 | 1,130 |
| District of Columbia | $59,220 | $95,120 | |
| Indiana | $57,820 | $95,170 | 2,250 |
| Virginia | $57,820 | $83,110 | 1,860 |
| Montana | $57,270 | $88,120 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $56,480 | $75,190 | 780 |
| Hawaii | $51,990 | $64,210 | 70 |
| Utah | $50,740 | $76,670 | 2,280 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | $76,920 | 1,030 |
| Arkansas | $50,120 | $79,910 | 1,550 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | $82,520 | 1,160 |
| Puerto Rico | $42,470 | $101,740 | 1,530 |
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary, SOC 25-1194, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state estimates. States where BLS suppressed the median are omitted; blank cells were suppressed.
Best-Paying Metro Areas: Ann Arbor Leads
Among metro areas with at least 100 career/technical education teachers, postsecondary jobs, Ann Arbor (MI) has the highest median pay, $108,400 a year.
| Metro area | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor (MI) | $108,400 | 250 |
| Hilton Head Island–Bluffton–Port Royal (SC) | $106,370 | 120 |
| Lebanon (PA) | $105,090 | 130 |
| Norwich–New London–Willimantic (CT) | $97,440 | 130 |
| Appleton (WI) | $96,900 | 180 |
| Worcester (MA) | $96,840 | 180 |
| Bismarck (ND) | $95,740 | 140 |
| New Haven (CT) | $95,730 | 160 |
| Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh (NY) | $90,970 | 310 |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara (CA) | $89,110 | 310 |
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary, SOC 25-1194. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, metropolitan area estimates, May 2025.
Is Welding Instructor a Good Career?
What Works in Its Favor
- High school teaching follows the school calendar, with summers off.
- Colleges and trade schools hire experienced welders, often valuing industry credentials.
- The CWE documents both teaching technique and welding theory.
What to Weigh First
- Public schools usually require a bachelor's degree, student teaching and a state license.
- Employment is projected to be flat (-0.3% for postsecondary career and technical teachers).
- College instructors may teach evenings and weekends.
Welding Instructor (CWE) vs. Related Welding Careers
| Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding instructor (CWE)Experience first | $63,820 | -0.3% | Bachelor's degree |
| Welding supervisorExperience first | $74,450 | +1.8% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Welding inspectorExperience first | $48,570 | +2.5% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| WelderTrain directly | $53,750 | +2.4% | High school diploma or equivalent |
For comparison, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median $53,750.
Welding Instructor (CWE) FAQ
What Is the Average Welding Instructor Salary?
BLS estimates a median of $63,820 a year (about $30.68 an hour) for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (May 2025), with the lowest-paid 10% under $41,960 and the top 10% above $108,620.
Is Welding Instructor a Growing Career?
BLS projects employment of career/technical education teachers, postsecondary to change -0.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,000 openings a year from growth and replacement.
Can a Welding Instructor Make $100,000 a Year?
Some do. In New Mexico, the top 10% of career/technical education teachers, postsecondary earn more than $177,330 (BLS, May 2025); nationally the 90th percentile is $108,620.
Which State Pays Welding Instructors the Most?
Wisconsin, where the median for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary is $82,620 a year, against $42,470 in Puerto Rico (BLS, May 2025).
How Many Welding Instructors Are There?
BLS counts about 123,100 jobs for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary in 2025; the largest employer group is local elementary and secondary schools (47% of jobs, BLS OOH).
Do Welding Instructors Need a Degree?
It depends on the school. BLS says public-school career and technical education teachers generally need a bachelor's degree and certification; colleges and private schools often weigh industry experience and credentials.
How Many Years of Experience Do You Need to Teach Welding?
The AWS CWE requires five years of welding-related work, and BLS says career and technical education teachers generally spend years in their field before teaching. Public schools add degree and licensing rules.
Where Do Welding Instructors Work?
High school career and technical programs, community and technical colleges, and private welding and trade schools. Local school districts are the largest employer of career and technical teachers.
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national and state estimates, SOC 25-1194 and 25-2032.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, career and technical education teachers.
- American Welding Society, AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE).
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions, 2022–23, CIP 48.0508.