Welder Apprenticeships in Arkansas
Arkansas has 10 registered apprenticeship sponsors training welders — 1 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
10
Union / joint programs
1
Median welder wage
$47,100
Arkansas, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+8.7%
660 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| U of A FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Union / joint | FAYETTEVILLE | Single Employer |
| ACEF | Little Rock | Multiple Employer |
| APPRENTICELY | Little Rock | Multiple Employer |
| Arkansas Correctional Industries: ADOC | Pine Bluff | Multiple Employer |
| Arkansas State University Mountain Home | Mountain Home | Multiple Employer |
| Central Moloney | Pine Bluff | Single Employer |
| National Apprenticeship Training Foundation, Inc. | Arkadelphia | Multiple Employer |
| Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) | SPRINGDALE | Multiple Employer |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | Multiple Employer |
| University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Fort Smith | Multiple Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Welders Earn in Arkansas
Wages
- Median annual wage: $47,100
- Average annual wage: $48,970
- Welders employed statewide: 7,240
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +8.7%
- Average openings per year: 660
- Employment: 6,000 → 6,520
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.