If you are looking for a rewarding and stable career that empowers you to use your hands and analytical skills on a daily basis, you might do well as a welder. In this role, you will be able to see the direct results of your efforts every day.
Welding schools in Mississippi can help prepare you for a career in the field. Learn more about training programs and welding careers in Mississippi below.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welders work to join pieces of metal together through one of many processes. They must also be able to read blueprints and construction drawings and identify necessary information from them.
Many welding careers in Mississippi are centered around shipbuilding and marine construction, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and the oil industry. As such, you might find yourself building cars, boats, or airplanes, and maintaining and repairing pipelines and equipment at refineries.
Welding Schools Near Me in Mississippi
There are several top welding schools in Mississippi, including several that are accredited by the American Welding Society. Students in these programs will learn various welding techniques and basic skills, such as construction math, metallurgy, and blueprint reading.
Finch-Henry Job Corps Center
Job Corps is a federally funded residential program offering free workforce training and educational programs to eligible young adults. Assistance with obtaining a GED or high school completion is available.
- Location: Batesville
- Phone number: (662) 563-4656
- Programs: Certificate
- Program duration: varies
- Average cost: free
East Mississippi Community College
Students can take single classes to learn specific welding techniques or one to two-year comprehensive welding technology programs. Financial aid is available.
- Location: Scooba and Mayhew
- Phone number: (662) 243-1803
- Programs: Workforce Certificate, Technical Certificate, and AAS in welding technology
- Program duration: four weeks two years
- Average cost: $120 (single class) to $7,000 (AAS degree)
Jones College
Three welding programs allow students to choose the right program for their career goals. Financial aid and job placement assistance are available.
- Location: Ellisville
- Phone number: (601) 477-4000
- Programs: Career Certificate, Technical Certificate, and AAS in welding technology
- Program duration: one to two years
- Average cost: $2,000 – $8,000
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College is ranked among the best for job placement with 97% of career and technical program graduates gaining employment in their chosen field.
- Location: Senatobia
- Phone number: (601) 562-3200
- Programs: Certificate in welding
- Program duration: nine months
- Average cost: $3,500
Welding Career Opportunities in Mississippi
There are excellent opportunities for welding careers in Mississippi. For example, you might decide to work on oil rigs in the Gulf, refineries onshore, or in the aerospace or manufacturing industries.
How Much Do Welders Make in Mississippi?
According to the May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, welders in Mississippi can expect to make an average of $22.43 per hour or $46,660 per year.
However, Indeed.com reports that welders in Mississippi make an average of $17.22 per hour ($$36,650 annually), which is slightly less than the national average. That figure may represent a large number of entry-level salaries reported on the site.
Major Employers of Welders in Mississippi
If you are looking to start a welding career in Mississippi, you might consider visiting employment agencies. There are several that specialize in building industrial, manufacturing, and marine workforces. The following companies are among the top employers for welders in Mississippi:
STS Aviation Group
- Industry: Aerospace
- Possible jobs: welder
NSC Technologies
- Industry: HR and staffing
- Possible jobs: structural welder, pipe welder
JAG Industrial & Marine Services
- Industry: Marine and industrial manufacturing
- Possible jobs: marine welders
Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.
- Industry: Aerospace and defense
- Possible jobs: pipe welder, apprentice shipbuilder, structural welder, welder helper apprentice
How To Become a Certified Welder in Mississippi
Most welders start out by attending a welding school in Mississippi after completing high school or earning a GED. Completing an internship or apprenticeship is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and can help you secure post-graduation employment.
There are no statewide certifications for individual welders, so you can technically begin working once you complete a training program or apprenticeship. However, many employers require industry-specific certifications from the America Welding Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
These certifications can help you find an entry-level job as well as build a strong and rewarding welding career. Many welding schools in Mississippi are designed to prepare students for certification exams, and several of them are AWS or ASME accredited.
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Mississippi?
While Mississippi does offer a state welder license classification for builders, most welders do not need one. Welders who fall under residential or commercial builder classifications must obtain state licensing. This is done by passing an exam and submitting an application and applicable fees to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
In certain situations, a welder in Mississippi must have a builders license with a welder classification. Circumstances that require licensure by the MSBOC include performing work on residential new construction valued at over $50,000 or remodeling projects over $10,000 or commercial projects valued at over $50,000.
However, companies generally hold the license which then applies to supervised employees. As a result, you may not need to obtain a welder classification in Mississippi f you plan to work for an existing builder or construction company. This guide provides more information about obtaining a builder license in Mississippi.
Mississippi Welding FAQs
The following FAQ can provide more clarification about welding schools and careers in Mississippi.
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
You can become a certified welder in Mississippi in as little as nine months; however, it usually takes at least a year to complete the entire process. This includes:
- Completing a training program
- Gaining hands-on experience
- Passing a certification exam
If you decide to pursue a degree program in Welding Technology, it will take at least two years before you are ready to begin a welding career.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Mississippi?
For the most part, welders in Mississippi are not required to carry insurance. However, building contractors are. If you decide to pursue that license, you will need to provide proof of insurance to the MSBOC.
Even in situations where insurance is not required, it is still worth considering. The right policy will protect you from losses due to:
- Damaged, lost, or stolen tools and equipment
- Legal action against you for injuries or property damage
- Claims of professional negligence
You can easily request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners using the tool below.
3. Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
If you still have questions about how to become a welder in Mississippi, there are several places to turn for help. Individual welding schools in Mississippi are usually the best choices for questions about their training programs.
If you have general questions about beginning a welding career, it is often helpful to reach out to a trade organization. Some that may be able to answer your questions include:
- American Welding Society: (800) 443-9353
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers: (800) 843-2763
- United Association (plumbing and pipefitters union): (410) 269-2000
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Welder in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Mississippi, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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