How to Become a Welder in San Diego, California

San Diego’s welding industry is a cornerstone of its thriving maritime, aerospace, and construction sectors. With over $2.1 billion in critical projects like the USS Midway Museum restoration and the Naval Submarine Industrial Base expansion driving demand, welding careers offer stability, competitive wages, and opportunities for specialization. By 2025, job boards list 61–165 openings monthly for skilled welders, reflecting a surge in opportunities across shipbuilding, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. This guide explores the steps to enter the field, from certifications and apprenticeships to long-term career advancement, while addressing San Diego’s unique regulatory landscape and economic trends.

Licensing and Certification Requirements

In California, welders are not required to hold a state license unless they operate as independent contractors. However, contractors performing welding work exceeding $500 in labor or materials must obtain a C-60 license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)¹². This involves passing a trade exam that tests knowledge of welding techniques, safety protocols, and construction codes, as well as proving four years of journeyman-level experience and securing a $25,000 surety bond³⁴. The C-60 application process also requires submitting fingerprints for a background check and paying a $450 fee⁵.

For non-contractors, employers prioritize certifications from the American Welding Society (AWS). Over 87% of San Diego welding job postings in 2025 require or prefer AWS credentials⁶⁷. These certifications validate expertise in specific welding processes, such as:

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): For structural steel in construction.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): Critical for aerospace tubing and precision work.
• Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): Used in shipyards for heavy steel fabrication⁸⁹.

Specialized roles demand additional certifications:

• Shipyard welders must pass American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards for maritime applications, including underwater weld testing¹⁰¹¹.
• Structural steel welders need AWS D1.1 certification to comply with building codes, a requirement for projects like the San Diego Convention Center expansion¹²¹³.
• Pipeline welders require ASME Section IX certification for high-pressure systems, a growing niche due to solar and hydrogen energy infrastructure projects¹⁴¹⁵.

San Diego County also enforces air quality regulations under APCD Rule 11, mandating emission control plans for shops using portable welding units exceeding 50 horsepower. These rules aim to reduce ozone-forming pollutants, requiring welders to document equipment use and adopt low-emission technologies¹⁶¹⁷.

Pathway to Becoming a Welder in San Diego

Foundational Training

San Diego offers accessible entry points through public and private programs designed to meet industry needs:

• San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) provides tuition-free 600-hour programs in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). These 24-week courses include AWS test preparation, with pass rates exceeding 78% in 2024¹⁸¹⁹. Students gain hands-on experience welding 1-inch steel plates, mirroring real-world tasks in shipyards like General Dynamics NASSCO²⁰.
• Palomar College offers AWS-accredited programs blending classroom theory with lab work, recently expanding capacity to 320 students per semester. Their partnership with the Port of San Diego ensures graduates meet ABS certification standards²¹²².
• Center for Employment Training (CET) charges $15,500 for its Welding Fabrication program, which includes a Miller Electric MIG/TIG welder ($2,800 value) and job placement assistance. In 2024, 83% of graduates secured roles paying over $22/hour within 90 days²³.
• Hobbyist Pathways: MakerPlace in Kearny Mesa offers $50–$80 introductory courses in MIG/TIG welding, ideal for part-time learners exploring the trade²⁴.

Certification Acquisition

AWS testing fees range from $35 for basic SMAW certification to $250 for specialized processes like pipe welding²⁵²⁶. SDCCE and Palomar now embed these costs into program budgets, saving students up to $500. Private testing centers like San Diego Welding & Metal Fabrication School charge $150–$300 per test but offer weekend slots for working professionals²⁷.

Apprenticeship Enrollment

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training (OJT) with classroom instruction, creating a direct pipeline to union or industrial roles:

• Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 offers a 5-year program with 8,000 OJT hours and 960 classroom hours at their National City training center. Apprentices start at $18.50/hour, rising to $34.80/hour by graduation, with full health coverage and retirement benefits²⁸²⁹. Applicants must pass a mechanical aptitude test and demonstrate proficiency in blueprint reading³⁰.
• Naval Subcontractors: General Dynamics NASSCO’s 3-year apprenticeships prioritize SDCCE graduates, focusing on submarine welding techniques. Veterans can convert Joint Services Transcript (JST) credits to 1,500 OJT hours, accelerating their timeline³¹³².
• Renewable Energy Sector: SolarTech’s Chula Vista facility partners with CET to train welders in solar panel frame assembly, emphasizing aluminum MIG welding for corrosion resistance³³.

Timeline and Milestones

Accelerated 5-day courses, such as those at the Southwest Welding Training Center, help experienced welders earn credentials like SMAW 3G/4G for vertical and overhead welding³⁶. However, these do not replace foundational training for entry-level roles.

Financial Investment

Education Costs

• Public Programs: SDCCE and Palomar offer free tuition but charge $200–$500 for materials (helmets, gloves, electrodes) and certification fees³⁷³⁸.
• Private Programs: CET’s $15,500 fee includes equipment and boasts an 83% job placement rate. Scholarships through the California Apprenticeship Initiative cover up to 50% of costs for low-income students³⁹.

Apprenticeship Earnings

*Based on 2,080 hours with Sheet Metal Workers Local 206. Benefits include medical, dental, and retirement contributions⁴⁰⁴¹.

Career Prospects and Job Outlook

Salary Benchmarks (2025)

• Entry-Level: $41,652–$47,019 annually for positions in structural steel and manufacturing⁴²⁴³.
• Journeyman: $54,198–$60,782 for certified welders in aerospace and shipbuilding⁴⁴.
• Specialized Roles: Pipeline welders earn $72,384–$98,200, while underwater welders in San Diego Bay command $85,000–$120,000 with commercial diving certifications⁴⁵⁴⁶.

Job Growth Drivers

San Diego County anticipates 14% welding job growth through 2032, fueled by:

• Defense Contracts: $1.4 billion in Navy ship repairs at NASSCO, requiring 200+ welders through 2026⁴⁷.
• Renewable Energy: Solar farm construction in East County needs 580 structural welders for mounting systems⁴⁸⁴⁹.
• Aerospace Innovation: SpaceX suppliers seek 75 GTAW specialists for reusable rocket components⁵⁰.

Advancement Opportunities

1. Inspection/QA: AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) earn $72,000–$89,000 annually, $12,500–$18,000 above standard rates⁵¹. The certification requires 5 years of experience and passing a 200-question exam⁵².
2. Robotics Integration: Laser welding technician postings surged 320% since 2020, with companies like Illumina offering $35–$45/hour for medical device fabrication⁵³.
3. Entrepreneurship: 23% of C-60 license holders operate independent businesses, supported by San Diego’s $50,000 Small Business Relief Fund grants for trade professionals⁵⁴⁵⁵.

Conclusion

San Diego’s welding industry in 2025 merges tradition with innovation, offering pathways from free community college programs to high-earning apprenticeships. With AWS certifications integrated into public curricula and naval partnerships fostering specialized training, welders can transition seamlessly into roles shaping the region’s infrastructure and defense sectors. Emerging technologies like cobots and laser systems are transforming workflows, emphasizing the need for continuous learning. As 1,200+ baby boomers retire by 2026 and $2.1 billion in contracts revitalize the local economy, welders willing to master both torch and tech will find unparalleled opportunities. Maria Gonzalez, a 2024 SDCCE graduate now welding destroyer hulls at NASSCO, sums it up: “This isn’t work—it’s building tomorrow’s San Diego.”