# How to Become a Welder in India — Skills & Salary 2026 > Step-by-step guide on how to become a welder in India: required skills, training options (ITI, apprenticeship), tools needed, salary expectations, and where to find your first welder job. 2026 updated. **Source:** [https://solve24.in/blog/how-to-become-a-welder-in-india](https://solve24.in/blog/how-to-become-a-welder-in-india) **Author:** Solve24 Trades Desk — Skilled-work careers editor **Updated:** 2026-04-26 **Reading time:** 9 min Becoming a welder in India in 2026 takes 6-24 months of training plus ₹3,000-15,000 in basic tools. Most welders start as helpers (₹14,000/month) and grow to senior level (₹55,000+/month) in 3-5 years. Here's the complete career path with 2026 prices, training options, and salary milestones. ## Quick answer: 6 steps to become a welder 1. Learn the basics (1-6 months) — via ITI course, apprenticeship, or self-learning 2. Buy a basic tool kit (₹3,000-15,000) 3. Build a small portfolio (5-10 photos of jobs done) 4. Register on Solve24 free for direct customer calls 5. Build customer ratings (target 4.5+ stars in first 30 jobs) 6. Specialize in a high-margin niche (after 12-24 months) ## Step 1: Choose a training path There are three main paths to learn welder work in India. Each has trade-offs in time, cost, and outcome: | Path | Duration | Cost | Outcome | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ITI Welder course | 12 months | ₹3K-18K | NCVT certificate; eligible for shipyard / infra project welder roles | | MSME Tool Room welder certification | 3-6 months | ₹5K-15K | Industry-recognized — eligible for Larsen & Toubro / Tata Projects subcontractor work | | Workshop apprenticeship | 6-18 months | Helper at ₹300-600/day | Hands-on skills; many apprentices start own small workshop by Y3 | For most welders starting fresh, apprenticeship is the fastest practical path — you earn while learning (₹250-500/day as helper) and you build customer references that become your first paid jobs. ## Step 2: Get your basic tool kit A starter welder kit costs ₹3,000-15,000 from any local hardware shop. Don't over-spend on tools as a beginner — buy these essentials first: | Tool | Price | Why you need it | | --- | --- | --- | | ARC welding machine (200A inverter) | ₹6,000-12,000 | Starter inverter machine — buy from Mumbai/Lajpat Nagar wholesalers | | Welding helmet + gloves + leather apron | ₹1,500-3,000 | SAFETY FIRST — auto-darkening helmet is non-negotiable | | Angle grinder (4-inch) | ₹1,500-3,000 | For cutting + cleaning welds | | Chipping hammer + wire brush | ₹200-400 | Cheap — buy spares | | Welding rods (3.15mm, 10kg box) | ₹400-800/box | E6013 for general work, consumed daily | | Gas cylinder + regulator (if MIG/TIG) | ₹8,000+ (deposit) | Only for premium work (SS/aluminium) — year 2+ | Tip: Many senior welders lend tools to apprentices for the first 6 months. Ask before buying — you can save ₹5,000-10,000 by borrowing initially. ## Step 3: Build a portfolio Take photos of every job you do — even small ones (changing a tap, fixing a hinge, painting a single wall). After 5-10 photos, you have a portfolio that increases customer trust 3× compared to a profile with no photos. ## Step 4: Register for direct customer calls (free) Once you have basic skills + tools + a few photos, the fastest way to start earning is registering on Solve24 — free, no commission, direct customer calls. The signup form takes 2 minutes (name, work type, area, phone, photo). Profile goes live after you complete sign-up. Customers in your area can start contacting you once your profile is live. ## Step 5: Build ratings (your reputation = your income) After every job, ask the customer to rate you. Workers with 4.5+ star ratings get 30-50% more calls than unrated workers. Aim for 30 jobs with high ratings in your first 6 months. ## Step 6: Specialize for higher income Generalist welders earn the average market rate. Specialists earn 50-100% more. After 12-24 months of general work, pick one specialty and become the go-to expert in your area. ## Career growth arc for welders in India > Helper (0-1 year, ₹400-600/day) → ARC welder (1-3 years, ₹18K-30K/mo for workshop; ₹1,000+/day freelance) → MIG/TIG specialist (3-5 years, ₹35K-60K/mo + stainless steel / aluminium premium) → Fabrication shop owner (5+ years, hires 2-5 welders, ₹80K-2L/mo) > > — Typical 5-year welder career path ## Common starting question Q: Welding is only for factory jobs — you can't earn well freelancing. A: Freelance welders in India earn ₹800-₹2,500/day for grill/gate/railing/furniture work in metros. A 2-day gate welding job pays ₹4,000-8,000. Grocer workshop welders in Chandni Chowk clear ₹60K+/month during wedding/renovation season (Oct-Feb). The money is NOT in daily-wage factory work. ## Best advice for new welders First year: focus on home welding (grills, gates, racks, furniture). ₹800-1,200/day with 20-25 days work/month. Build a portfolio of photos on WhatsApp. By year 2 move into stainless steel / aluminium (3× rate premium). --- Published by Solve24. --- ## About Solve24 Solve24 (solve24.in) is India's zero-commission hyperlocal services marketplace — a three-sided bridge between ~85M informal workers, ~1.4B consumers, and millions of local shops across 40+ Indian cities and 15 service categories. 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