If you're looking to start a career in welding in Jacksonville, TX, 2025 presents excellent opportunities. With 40 to over 40 welding-related job openings currently available in the area 123, and $42,900 average annual salary for welders in Jacksonville 1, this skilled trade offers both strong employment prospects and competitive compensation. For more job market insights, check out Welding Workforce Data. The welding profession is experiencing a national shortage, with the average age of welders in the U.S. around 54, leading to significant retirements outpacing new entries into the profession 4. You can explore current welding job trends at Indeed for Welding Jobs in Jacksonville.
Before diving into the steps to becoming a welder, it's essential to understand what the profession entails. Welders are skilled tradespeople who join metal parts together using heat and pressure. They work in various industries including construction, manufacturing, and energy. Their responsibilities include:
Welders may work in shops, on construction sites, or in industrial settings, often in challenging environments that require physical stamina and attention to detail. For a deeper dive into welding career paths, visit Tulsa Welding School's Guide.
While there is no mandatory state license for welders in Texas, certification is crucial for career advancement and employment opportunities. The American Welding Society (AWS) offers the Certified Welder (CW) program, which is the recognized standard for welding credentials in Texas 56. Learn more about getting certified in Texas at Skillset Group Certification Info.
To obtain AWS certification:
For those interested in working on state projects, particularly with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), additional certifications like the "Certified Steel Structures Welder" (bridge welding code) are required 6. Read about the latest welding innovations at Crossfire Welders Innovations.
To become a welder in Jacksonville, TX, you typically begin by enrolling in a welding certificate or associate degree program at a technical or trade school. These programs teach the use and maintenance of welding equipment, blueprint reading, and project assessment 7. For more on welding trends, see YesWelder Industry Trends.
Local options include:
While specific apprenticeship programs in Jacksonville aren't widely advertised, typical welding apprenticeships involve working under experienced welders to gain hands-on skills and industry exposure. You can find apprenticeship opportunities through local trade organizations or by using platforms like Gild 8, which aggregates welding job and apprenticeship openings in the area.
To begin your welding career:
Enroll in a welding program at a technical school or community college. Programs typically cover:
Participate in an apprenticeship or entry-level position to develop practical skills. This experience is crucial for certification exams. Check out AI in Welding for how technology is shaping the field.
Schedule and pass the Certified Welder (CW) exams at an accredited testing facility. You'll need to demonstrate proficiency in specific welding processes.
Consider additional certifications for specialized work, such as the Certified Steel Structures Welder for bridge welding projects with TxDOT 6. For economic insights affecting welding jobs, refer to Dallas Fed Outlook.
The welding profession in Jacksonville, TX offers competitive compensation and strong job prospects:
| Location | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, TX | $20.63 1 | $42,900 1 |
| Statewide Texas | $22.96 4 | - |
| Certified Welders in Texas | $27.83 9 | - |
Nationally, the welding workforce is aging, with the average age around 54, leading to significant retirements outpacing new entries into the profession 4. This trend directly impacts local markets such as Jacksonville, creating strong demand for new welders. Visit Indeed for More Jobs to search current listings.
The U.S. will need to fill approximately 80,000 welding jobs annually between 2025 and 2029, totaling about 320,500 new welding professionals needed by 2029 to replace retirees and meet industry growth demands 9.
Welders in Jacksonville, TX face several challenges in 2025:
Job Safety Challenges: Welding remains a high-risk occupation due to exposure to hazards such as intense heat, UV radiation, fumes, and repetitive motions which can cause burns, eye damage, respiratory issues, and musculoskeletal injuries. Ensuring safety requires advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to stringent safety protocols 9.
Technological Advancements: The welding industry is rapidly integrating AI-driven systems, collaborative robots (cobots), and handheld laser welding technology by 2025, transforming traditional workflows. These technologies can lead to workforce displacement fears and present a learning curve for existing welders in Jacksonville, as they balance manual skills with digital proficiency 149. For more on these trends, explore Welding Innovations.
Starting a career as a welder in Jacksonville, TX is an exciting opportunity to enter a field that is in high demand and offers competitive compensation. Whether you're just finishing high school or considering a career change, following these steps will set you on the path to success in this critical industry. For additional resources, visit Gild or Welding Workforce Data to get started today.
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Welding/-in-Jacksonville,TX ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
https://www.indeed.com/q-welder-l-jacksonville,-tx-jobs.html ↩ ↩2
https://www.tws.edu/blog/welding/welding-career-paths-the-ultimate-guide-to-a-career-in-welding/ ↩
https://www.tws.edu/blog/articles/the-future-of-welding-the-skilled-labor-shortage/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.aws.org/certification-and-education/professional-certification/ ↩
https://skillsetgroup.com/2022/10/18/how-do-you-get-a-welding-certification-in-texas/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://weldingcareernow.com/welding-schools/jacksonville-tx ↩
https://www.tws.edu/blog/welding/how-to-get-a-welding-certificate/ ↩
