Welder in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ
How to Become a Welder in Arizona
In Arizona, individual welders are not licensed at the state level; however, obtaining certification through the American Welding Society (AWS) is the industry standard and is accepted in the state. Welding contractors, on the other hand, must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). This involves a qualifying party demonstrating 1-2 years of hands-on welding experience and passing both a trade exam and a Statutes and Rules Exam. Arizona has reciprocity agreements with California, Nevada, and Utah for welding contractors, which may waive the trade exam under certain conditions, but the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam is always required.
Welder Requirements in Arizona
| Detail | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Not specified for individual welders; however, a welding contractor license requires experience. Trade schools offer programs that prepare for AWS certification. |
| Exam | Trade Exam and Statutes and Rules Exam (for welding contractors); AWS certification exams (for individual welders) ($450) |
| Application Fee | $180 |
| Notes | Arizona does not license individual welders at the state level. However, a welding contractor must be licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). This requires a qualifying party with 1-2 years of hands-on welding experience and passing both a trade exam and a Statutes and Rules Exam. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Certification through the American Welding Society (AWS) is the industry standard for individuals and is accepted in Arizona. AWS certification is performance-based and has varying fees. Background checks are part of the contractor licensing process. |
Welder Salary in Arizona
The median welder salary in Arizona is $53,770 per year, which is 5.4% above the national median of $51,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,990 |
| 25th | $47,390 |
| 50th (median) | $53,770 |
| 75th | $66,340 |
| 90th (experienced) | $82,040 |
Arizona employs approximately 7,630 welders.
Welder Job Outlook
AI Impact on Welders
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.20/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Welder in Arizona Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arizona's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.