Welder Apprenticeships in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 16 registered apprenticeship sponsors training welders — 9 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
16
Union / joint programs
9
Median welder wage
$50,860
Pennsylvania, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+2.4%
1,720 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. Union / joint | PHILADELPHIA | Single Employer |
| HAZLETON CASTING JAC Union / joint | HAZLETON | Single Employer |
| KELVION INC Union / joint | YORK | Single Employer |
| MACK Trucks, Inc. Union / joint | MACUNGIE | Single Employer |
| Pixelle Specialty Solutions Union / joint | SPRING GROVE | Single Employer |
| RHOADS INDUSTRIES, INC Union / joint | PHILADELPHIA | Single Employer |
| SEPTA TWU (234) Union / joint | Philadelphia | Single Employer |
| Union Electric Steel Corp Carnegie Union / joint | Carnegie | Single Employer |
| WEATHERLY CASTING Union / joint | WEATHERLY | Single Employer |
| Bailey Machine Company | CONNELLSVILLE | Single Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Welders Earn in Pennsylvania
Wages
- Median annual wage: $50,860
- Average annual wage: $53,210
- Welders employed statewide: 16,060
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: +2.4%
- Average openings per year: 1,720
- Employment: 17,220 → 17,640
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.