Welder at Mid State Welding, LLC
at Mid State Welding, LLC in Spearfish, SD
About This Program
Mid State Welding, LLC offers a registered Welder Apprenticeship program in Spearfish, SD. Sponsored directly by the employer, this non-union program provides a structured path into the welding trade with paid, hands-on training from the first day on the job.
The apprenticeship is three years in length, consisting of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical experience in welding processes, metal cutting and preparation, fabrication techniques, and the safe operation of welding equipment. Supporting classroom coursework covers blueprint reading, welding metallurgy, joint design, and compliance with welding codes and standards.
Upon completion, apprentices achieve journey-level welder status, positioning them for long-term careers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, energy, and industrial manufacturing. Spearfish and the surrounding Black Hills region offer a steady demand for skilled welders, making this a well-timed opportunity to enter a resilient trade.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$24
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Welder Career Outlook
National Median
$23.81/hr
~$49,524.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15.5/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Employment for welders is projected to remain steady with consistent demand driven by infrastructure spending, manufacturing, and energy sector projects. Aging infrastructure across the U.S. requires ongoing repair and replacement, creating sustained need for skilled welders. Retirements in the current workforce are expected to generate additional openings over the next decade.
What to Expect as a Welder Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Welder
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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