Welder Apprenticeships in Illinois
Illinois has 35 registered apprenticeship sponsors training welders — 4 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
35
Union / joint programs
4
Median welder wage
$49,730
Illinois, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+4.6%
1,680 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AAWSTLU JATC Union / joint | Pembrooke Township | Multiple Employer |
| KLIMAN-TEST/COMPANY Union / joint | Chicago | Multiple Employer |
| MCLAUGHLIN BODY COMPANY/UNITED AUTO WORKERS LU 1414 Union / joint | MOLINE | Single Employer |
| MCLAUGHLIN BODY COMPANY/UNITED AUTO WORKERS LU 1414 Union / joint | MOLINE | Single Employer |
| Assoc. Builders & Contractors Inc | Elk Grove Village | Multiple Employer |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Multiple Employer |
| Cushman & Wakefield | Chicago | Single Employer |
| East Dubuque High School | East Dubuque | Multiple Employer |
| ECWA-ECEA JATC | Chicago | Multiple Employer |
| Education Design Development and Research Corporation | Chicago | Multiple Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Welders Earn in Illinois
Wages
- Median annual wage: $49,730
- Average annual wage: $53,630
- Welders employed statewide: 17,340
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: +4.6%
- Average openings per year: 1,680
- Employment: 16,280 → 17,030
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.