Welding Schools

Find qualified welding classes near you

How Welding Impacts our Daily Lives

How To Start Welding Career

Anything constructed from metal, regardless of its size, can be welded.  Everything from vehicles to rockets to skyscrapers to jewelry to frame welding is used in a variety of industries.  Highways, bridges, natural-gas pipelines, solar panels, and a host of other structures would be unworkable without top welding skills.  Welding is also utilized by art welding classes to create decorative items and sculptures.  In fact, it is progressively becoming more high-tech.  The profession is now being taught to operate welding robots and additional automated systems that utilize compelling lasers, electron beams, and occasionally explosives to attach metals.  The know-how of dealing with computers and program software is essential to the successful functioning of these systems.

Don’t start a welding career this way …

Welding Training
Welders in training will be trained on how to convert plans into actuality, mapping out welds by interpreting welding blueprints, analyzing materials, and determine which is the best method to use.  A future welder’s training may include gas metal arc, electric arc, plasma arc cutting methods, stick welding, and much more.  Due to the gravity of welding work hours, basic safety procedures are included with the best welding school in the USA.

Best Welding School


The best welding schools in the USA teach their pupils about the process of permanently linking pieces of metal together.  It may sound simple; however, welding requires skill and precision, a keen sense of safety, good physical fitness, manual dexterity, and stalwart hand-eye coordination, amongst others.  This is why attending a top welding school is crucial.  Training at a top welding school in the USA will prepare an individual for employment in a broad range of fields that require welding.  These fields include aerospace technology, shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing, skills in attaching beams and anatomies in buildings, bridges, and more.

Trade schools will also teach students how to perform differing techniques, such as vertical, overhead, horizontal, and flat welding.  Welding students can also learn the disparities between automated, semi-automated, and manual welding.  There are welding schools in most states, and the larger states like California, Texas, New York, Illinois and, Pennsylvania have many to choose from.


How Long Does it Take to Get a Welding Certification


Explicit training is required to study and practice the needed skills for the numerous welding processes.  Eligible trainees are asked to pass examinations and become certified in their chosen field prior to being employed.  Best welding certifications to get is the ticket to more demanding and higher paying jobs.  They can accrue any amount and type of certifications, signifying proficiency and resourcefulness. The more welding certification classes you take, the better.  A well-earned compilation of certificates, jointly with documented experience, leads to decision-making positions and better pay.

How much does welding school cost?


Welding students can learn in a classroom or through informal or formal apprenticeships.  The welding apprenticeship is through on-the-job training through a school.  There are two different routes to take as a welder:

  • Certificate program or apprenticeship to start an entry-level job
  • Bachelor’s degree in welding for an engineering or management position

Welding school tuition price will depend on what path you take.

The following show the options and average cost of welding school:

  • Training programs average cost is $10,000 in tuition. A good welding school will range from $5,000 to $15,000 at a technical or community college.  Here’s a pricing sheet at Earlbeck Gases & Technologies.
  • Welding associate degree have a wide range from a couple thousand to $30,000. The biggest factor is whether it’s an in-state school.  It may be worth searching for welding trade school near me.
  • Bachelor degree in welding technology over four-years ranges from about $40,000 to $100k.Like an associate’s degree, out of state welding students can pay a 50% premium or more.  As with the bachelor’s degree, you will save money if you attend local welding schools.
  • Apprenticeship programs near me last 3-5 years and can range anywhere from free to a couple thousand dollars. A free welding school is South Florida Associated General Contractors who takes care of all the costs.  It’s paid for by a combination of public tax dollars and sponsorships.

Careers in Welding Have Ongoing Annual Dues:

  • State licensing fees costs between $25 to $250 annually. Each municipality and state has different licensing fees.
  • Welding certification cost anywhere from $275 to $1185. Welding Society pricing list for members and non-members.  The welding certification pricing between member and non-member is about $200.  Here is the pricing list.  https://www.aws.org/library/doclib/2236-PRICELIST-2018-20180705.pdf  Here’s a list of welding certifications AWS offers:
    • Welding Inspector (CAWI, CWI, SCWI)
    • Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
    • Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI)
    • Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
    • Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR)
    • Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng)
    • Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
    • Certified Welder (CW)

Welding school tuition price is ala carte, just like a traditional college.  A traditional or community college would also charge for lab fees and books, housing, and meals.  If you commute, it could cost as little as $1,000 and up to $10,000 depending on the institution.

Welding hand tools and equipment will be ongoing costs ranging from $1000 to $2000.  See our welding comparison reviews for helmets, gloves, and welders.  You will also need protective clothing and the ongoing cost of welding rods.

Financial Aid for Welding School

The options for financial aid is just like going to any other community college, vocational school, or university.  There is financial aid available if you attend a local welding school or national welding school.  Most welding colleges have their own loans, grants, and scholarships. 

Welding School Requirements

Entry into most good welding schools is an available to prospective entry student with a aspiration to learn to weld.  To save money, it’s best to find a school to learn to weld near me.

Though unnecessary, a high school diploma is GED is preferred to attend welding certification school.  But, to attend the 480 Hour Combination Welder Program I or II, you need a high school diploma or GED.

Welding Trade School Length

The length of time to become a welder depends on how much you want to learn.  Most schools offer different welding programs which depends on your time and career goals.

  • Pipe welding schools take 5-8 months of training.  A pipe welder is an entry level position for common types of welding.  Introductory class takes 2 weeks and each additional class takes 3-4 weeks. Many schools will require a minimum of 3 additional course classes.
  • Associates Degree in Welding Technology will take 12-18 months on average. Most employers don’t care if you don’t have a degree in welding.  They prefer you have real life experience, technical skills, and the certification on your resume and cover letter.
  • Underwater welding schools usually take 7-12 months of training and is a niche.  Underwater welding job outlook has a shortage and makes more per hour than an entry welder.

To become a welder, a good welder, you need to practice, a lot.

Types of Welding School Certifications

  • Robotic welding schools, also referred to as robot welding, is using robots in the welding process. Robotic welding is used in transportation, mining, construction, agriculture, automotive, warehousing, and transportation industries.  The robotic process is used in arc welding and spot welding.  Robots still needs humans with welding experience to regularly adjust and program the machines along the way.  According to ZipRecruiter, a robotic welder annual salary is $32,607 and ranges from $18,000 to $45,000 nationally.
  • Hyperbaric welding school, is also known as an underwater welding school. According to PayScale, an underwater welder average salary is $65,409 annually.
  • Aluminum welding school, like AlcoTec, specializes in aluminum technology.  According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for an aluminum welder is $39,080 per year.
  • Welding fabrication schools focus on the fundamentals and basics of metal fabrication.The average hourly rate for welding fabrication is $16.27, according to PayScale.
  • Welding inspector school is like getting a master degree in other fields. A welding inspector makes sure the work is being done properly and overseas safety.  The career path starts with a general welding education.  Then you work as a welder.  Once you have some experience, then you attend a community or technical college for a welding inspector certificate program.  Then get an inspector job and a certification afterward to demonstrate your knowledge and competency.  According to PayScale, a welding inspector makes an average salary of $72,000 per year.

How to Get a Welding Job After School

There is a strong supply of the best welding jobs in the USA, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The forecast for welding jobs in the USA:

  • Almost 405,000 jobs in demand
  • 6% forecast increase in demand for welders, cutters, brazers, and solderers from 2016 to 2026, about 22,500 additional jobs
  • Welding median pay of $40,240 or $19.35 per hour

Welding Career Path and Opportunities

Many industries have welding in demand.  The following industries need welders:

  • Manufacturing industry uses welders to make machinery, metal goods, vehicles, and other merchandise and equipment.
  • Construction industry melds pipes, beams, girders
  • Energy industry uses welders in power plants, oil refineries, and gas refineries

Some of the highest paying welding job in the USA are for offshore welding jobs.  Because the job is higher risk and a shortage, some offshore welding jobs require no experience and will train on the job.

Entry Level Welding Resume

You need to start creating your welding resume once you nearly complete your welding schooling or apprenticeship.  A welding cover letter will be a couple short paragraphs on your ideal position, why you are qualified, and what you’ve accomplished.  You should try to exhibit:

  • Stamina and strength to perform over multiple hours
  • Good welding school education and technical skills
  • Work ethic history and ability to take direction
  • Detail oriented

An entry level welding resume structure maybe a bit more challenging to set yourself apart.  It’s suggested you include past accomplishments and specialty welding classes for skills in demand.

Different of Welding Jobs

  • Arc Welding – One of the most well-known welding jobs is “arc welding.”  The standard of arc welding entails the utilization of extreme heat to melt metal at the joining of two sections, making the metal amalgamate with an intermediary molten filler metal.  An electrical arc is utilized to generate the powerful heat for melting metal.
  • TIG Welding – A more innovative type of welding undertaking is “TIG” or , Gas Tungsten Arc.  TIG additionally utilizes welding rods, and is frequently used with aluminum or stainless steel.
  • MIG Welding – MIG welding is comparable to TIG.  However, MIG utilizes a reel of incessantly fed wire, averse to the welding rod.  The reel permits the welder to carry out bigger welding jobs minus the necessity of halting in the middle of the job to exchange the rod.
  • Specialized jobs in welding – Skilled welders are in demand to preserve and modernized various structures and facilities. Advanced technology is developing additional uses for welding in the workplace and increasing employment prospects.
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – This type of welding is also known as MMA, or manual metal arc, or stick welding.  It is frequently taught at welding schools and is the most popular welding technique used around the world.
  • Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)/ Metal Inert Gas (MIG) – MIG welding is used mostly in the industrial trade and is utilized more or less completely in the automotive industry.  TIG is similar; however, it utilizes a non-consumable tungsten-electrode to produce the weld.
  • Flux Cored Arc – FCAW utilizes a consumable tubular-electrode and flux that is consistently fed through a continuous voltage power supply.  It is principally used on low-alloy steels.
  • Oxy-Acetylene – An oxy-acetylene welding job is a specialized choice.  It entails using an oxyacetylene flame that heats up to 6000-degrees Fahrenheit, permitting it to melt, attach, or cut numerous commercial metals.
  • Underwater Welding – Outside of the conventional welding job, underwater welding requires commercial diving training.  Both welding and diving certifications are required in order to pursue this type of welding career.

Summary

To embark on a successful welding career, one must be open to enriching their knowledge and continually acquire new experiences.  They should practice new things and more challenging responsibilities, and search for new ways to expand their expertise. Take up the torch, because a welding career is a never-ending quest.