Welder in Hawaii
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI
How to Become a Welder in Hawaii
In Hawaii, individual welders are not required to hold a state license. However, a C-56 Welding Contractor license is necessary for businesses or individuals who contract for welding services, issued by the Hawaii Contractors License Board under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). To obtain this license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a good reputation for honesty, and have four years of supervisory experience within the last ten years. The process involves passing both a Business and Law exam and a Trade exam, and submitting an application with a fee.
Welder Requirements in Hawaii
| Detail | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Hawaii Contractors License Board, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) |
| State License Required | No |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Business and Law Exam & Trade Exam (C-56 Welding Contractor) ($75) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Hawaii does not license individual welders. A C-56 Welding Contractor license is required for businesses or individuals who contract for welding services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years. AWS certification is the industry standard for individual welders. |
Source: Hawaii Contractors License Board, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
Welder Salary in Hawaii
The median welder salary in Hawaii is $76,970 per year, which is 50.9% above the national median of $51,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,380 |
| 25th | $63,240 |
| 50th (median) | $76,970 |
| 75th | $86,300 |
| 90th (experienced) | $98,670 |
Hawaii employs approximately 570 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 Hawaii Worth It?
Factors to consider: Hawaii's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.