Welder Apprenticeships in Michigan
Michigan has 52 registered apprenticeship sponsors training welders — 23 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
52
Union / joint programs
23
Median welder wage
$48,930
Michigan, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
-0.7%
1,350 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AmeriTi Manufacturing, LLC Union / joint | Detroit | Single Employer |
| Cleveland Cliffs - Dearborn Works Union / joint | Dearborn | Single Employer |
| Detroit Diesel Union / joint | DETROIT | Single Employer |
| FORD MOTOR CO. Union / joint | Lincoln Park | Single Employer |
| General Motors Company-NAETC Union / joint | FLINT | Single Employer |
| General Motors Powertrain, Bay City, Michigan Plant Union / joint | Bay City | Single Employer |
| Gerdau Special Steel-Monroe Mill Union / joint | Monroe | Single Employer |
| GM Factory Zero Union / joint | DETROIT | Single Employer |
| GM Flint Engine Operations Union / joint | Flint | Single Employer |
| GM GPS - SAGINAW METAL CASTING OP Union / joint | SAGINAW | Single Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Welders Earn in Michigan
Wages
- Median annual wage: $48,930
- Average annual wage: $52,780
- Welders employed statewide: 13,640
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: -0.7%
- Average openings per year: 1,350
- Employment: 14,120 → 14,020
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.