@username ♬ original sound
Are you considering a welding career in Lake City, FL, by 2025? The local job market offers 43 welding job openings as of recent listings on ZipRecruiter1, and Florida remains one of the top states for welding demand. Entry-level welders in Lake City earn around $41,300 annually, while top employers like HAECO Americas offer pay rates up to $24.40 per hour, translating to annual salaries nearing $50,000 when factoring in overtime23.
To become a certified welder, you'll typically need a high school diploma, followed by enrollment in a local welding training program, such as the Advanced Welding Technology program at Florida Gateway College4. Approximately 80,000 welding jobs are expected to open annually nationwide between 2025 and 2029 due to both industry growth and workforce attrition3. This growing demand is fueled by ongoing construction developments, especially in infrastructure and shipbuilding industries, in Lake City, FL5.
Keep reading for a step-by-step plan to build your welder career, understand local job opportunities, and discover ways to boost your earning potential by becoming a specialized welder. Use Gild to search local welder apprenticeships and jobs here. You can also click here to explore welding job listings in Lake City, FL.
Welders play a crucial role in construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding industries by joining metal parts during fabrication and repair. Their skills are essential in producing everything from industrial pipelines to aircraft components6. In Lake City, FL, welders are increasingly in demand due to economic growth and expanding infrastructure development. This field now includes a blend of traditional welding methods and high-tech processes like robotics and adaptive welding techniques4.
Specialized proficiency certifications rather than government licenses typically validate welders in Lake City, FL. These credentials, including AWS (American Welding Society) certifications, are widely recognized and can significantly expand employment prospects. To earn such certifications, welders must pass testing at an AWS Accredited Testing Facility (ATF)6. Along with demanding soft skills like attention to detail and physical stamina, completing an apprenticeship can give aspiring welders an edge in the job market.
Before registering for a formal program or applying for apprenticeships in Lake City, consider focusing on soft skills like:
Apprenticeships are vital for mastering welding techniques while gaining hands-on experience. Here’s how to get started:
Meet Basic Eligibility Criteria:
Enroll in a Training Program:
Gild is the go-to platform for discovering apprenticeships, internships, and welding jobs in Lake City. You can explore active welding opportunities in Lake City, FL here.
Apply for Apprenticeships or Job Opportunities:
Before applying for apprenticeships, ensure you’re ready for a rigorous eligibility process. Not only must general age and education standards be verified, but anticipated scoring benchmarks during testing phases must also be considered before admission into enterprises seeking skilled welders.
| Basic Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be 18 years or older |
| Education | A high school diploma or GED is preferred |
| Language & Skills | Must be able to read, write, understand English and demonstrate physical stamina |
| Technical Training | Prior completion of foundational welding education (e.g., Florida Gateway College’s 750-hour program) |
Upon completing your training, earning a certified welder status through AWS is the next step for launching a professional career. Certification testing can accelerate employment and allow participation in specialized or complex projects. For instance, certifications in structural steel, sheet metal, or pipeline welding frequently yield higher wages46.
Welders in Lake City, FL, typically earn between $39,000 and $50,000 annually, while statewide, a Welder I salary ranges between $39,500 and $59,800, depending on experience, company, and certifications8. Comparably, other trade workers like electricians or plumbers earn salaries between $45,000 and $60,000 annually, making welding competitive among Lake City’s trade careers8.
Florida is projected to be a top market for welders nationwide, with Lake City, FL, keeping pace due to its growing construction and shipping industries. Recent data across platforms like Indeed and local job boards show 23 specific welding-related roles in Lake City7, which is modest compared to larger Florida cities like Miami or Tampa but aligns with projected statewide growth trends. Moreover, as industries like aerospace, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing expand in Florida, welders with niche certifications will likely see increased opportunities.
One pivotal growth factor is construction industry expansion, driven by public and private infrastructure initiatives6. This contributes to high demand for skilled artisans like welders and fabricators in the region.
As with any evolving trade, Lake City welders in 2025 may face several challenges, including safety concerns tied to increasingly complex welding technologies and higher expectations for continuous professional development.
By 2025, automation and robotics are reshaping the welding trade in Lake City, FL, requiring applicants to adapt to innovative systems and equipment6. Staying updated on best practices, compliance standards, and relevant safety protocols will become key to long-term success.
High demand for welders also means increased competition for roles, particularly top-paying positions8. Entry-level opportunities are accessible but advancing demands specialized skills such as pipe, structural, or underwater welder certifications. Participating in ongoing education, acquiring advanced welding credentials, and engaging local professional communities like the AWS will help aspiring welders stand out.
| Challenge | Strategies for Addressing |
|---|---|
| Increased competition from nearby areas | Pursue specialized certifications and highlight niche expertise during applications. |
| Safety concerns with new welding automation | Participate in safety workshops or drones and automated welding systems training. |
| Skill gap from rapid technological adoption | Stay updated with technological shifts through continuing professional development. |
Owning a signed, recognized AWS certification is essential for long-term growth as a welder in Lake City, FL. As industry demands for precision and advancing skills grow, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of robotic welding systems and safety protocols will be critical. The demand for skilled welders in regions like Lake City remains strong, making now an excellent time to enter or advance in this high-growth trade.
If you're ready to begin your welding journey or explore new certifications, connect with local resources like the Advanced Welding Technology program at Florida Gateway College4 or search for welding job opportunities in Lake City, FL, with Gild today.
Use the welding opportunities feature on Gild to search open positions near you, including lake city holidays av jobs and others tailored to building a sustainably rewarding career. Start exploring welding apprenticeships with Gild.
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Welding/-in-Lake-City,FL ↩ ↩2
https://www.tws.edu/blog/welding/welding-certification-in-florida-what-you-need-to-know-about-starting-a-welding-career/ ↩ ↩2
https://weldingcareernow.com/welding-schools/lake-city-fl ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://catalog.fgc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=21&poid=2746&returnto=2036 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
https://www.careervillage.org/questions/967838/what-state-needs-the-most-welders ↩
https://www.aws.org/certification-and-education/professional-certification/certified-welder-program/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.indeed.com/q-welding-l-lake-city,-fl-jobs.html ↩ ↩2
https://surry.edu/uploads/docs/Licensure-Contacts-by-State-Welding.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3
