Welding Schools & Programs

Welding programs lead to careers with a median salary of $47,540 per year, and the field generates approximately 47,600 job openings annually (BLS, OEWS, May 2024). Welding programs train students in multiple welding processes, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and weld inspection, preparing them for careers that combine physical skill with technical precision. With an aging welder workforce, expanding infrastructure projects, and steady manufacturing demand, skilled welders who hold industry certifications are in consistent demand nationwide.

What Is a Welding Program?

A welding program teaches students to join metals using processes such as SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Training covers welding in multiple positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead), on various metals (carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum), and using different joint configurations. Programs aligned with American Welding Society (AWS) standards or accredited by NCCER follow industry-recognized curriculum benchmarks that employers value. Unlike general metalworking or machining programs, welding training focuses specifically on fusion joining techniques and weld quality assurance. Graduates are prepared to work in structural steel fabrication, pipe welding, manufacturing, maintenance, and specialty applications.

What You’ll Learn

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/stick) on carbon steel in all positions
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
• Oxy-acetylene cutting, brazing, and heating techniques
• Blueprint reading and welding symbol interpretation per AWS standards
• Basic metallurgy, heat treatment effects, and weld defect identification
• Weld joint preparation, fit-up, and tack welding procedures
• Plasma cutting, carbon arc gouging, and grinding for weld preparation and repair
• Visual weld inspection and quality testing fundamentals
• OSHA safety practices and welding fume exposure awareness

How Long Does Training Take?

Certificate programs in welding typically run 6 to 12 months and focus on core welding processes and positions. Tuition for certificate programs may range from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the school; check with individual institutions for current pricing. Diploma programs may take 12 to 18 months and cover additional processes, pipe welding, and specialty metals. Associate degree programs in welding technology take about 2 years and often include welding inspection, fabrication layout, and supervision or management coursework. Some accelerated programs offer intensive training in as little as 3 to 4 months for students focused on a single welding process. Pipe welding specialization courses typically require additional training beyond a general welding program.

Admissions & Requirements

• High school diploma or GED is typically required
• Good hand-eye coordination and steady hands for precision weld work
• Physical ability to work in various positions (standing, kneeling, overhead) for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
• Good vision (correctable) for close-up weld work and inspection
• Willingness to work in hot environments with heavy protective gear
• Some programs require students to purchase personal protective equipment (welding helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots)

Licensing & Certification

Welders do not typically need a state license, but industry certifications are essential for most employment. The American Welding Society (AWS) offers the Certified Welder (CW) credential, which tests a welder’s ability to produce sound welds in specific processes, positions, and materials per AWS D1.1 (structural steel) or other applicable codes. The CW exam fee is typically $50 to $100 per test, and certification requires periodic retesting, usually every six months, to maintain active status. Many employers require welders to pass a company-specific weld test or hold an AWS certification before hiring. The NCCER also offers nationally recognized welding certifications at multiple levels. Pipeline and pressure vessel welders must often qualify under ASME Section IX or API 1104 codes. Having multiple certifications across different processes and positions improves employability and earning potential.

Career Outlook & Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $47,540 for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers as of May 2024. Entry-level welders at the 10th percentile earn approximately $28,524, while experienced welders at the 90th percentile earn around $71,310 per year. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,032 and $57,048 annually. Employment of welders is projected to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032, slower than average for all occupations, but the field still generates an estimated 47,600 openings each year, driven primarily by the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation. Total employment is expected to rise from 427,600 to approximately 436,152. Welders who specialize in pipe welding, underwater welding, or aerospace applications typically earn well above the median. Those who advance to welding inspector, fabrication supervisor, or certified welding educator roles can command earnings beyond the 90th percentile (BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024).

Where You’ll Work

Welders work in diverse settings depending on their specialization. Common employers include structural steel fabrication shops, manufacturing plants, shipyards, oil and gas pipeline companies, power generation facilities, and aerospace contractors. The work environment varies significantly: shop welders work indoors at fabrication benches, while field welders may work outdoors on construction sites, bridges, or pipelines in all weather conditions. The work is physically demanding, involving heat exposure, heavy protective gear, and sustained periods in awkward positions. Some specialties, such as pipeline welding and industrial shutdown work, require travel to remote job sites.

Online vs In-Person Options

Welding is one of the most hands-on trades and cannot be learned online. Striking an arc, controlling a weld puddle, and welding in different positions requires hundreds of hours of practice with actual welding equipment. There is no substitute for time under the hood. Some supporting topics like welding theory, metallurgy, blueprint reading, or welding symbols may be offered in an online or hybrid format, but the core welding skills must be trained in person in a welding shop. When choosing a program, prioritize booth time per student, equipment quality, and the range of welding processes taught.

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Career Guide

Ready to learn more about what welders do day-to-day, salary expectations, and advancement opportunities? Our career guide covers the welding profession in depth, from entry-level fabrication work to high-paying specializations like pipeline and underwater welding.

Career Guide: Welder →

FAQs

What is the difference between MIG, TIG, and stick welding?

MIG welding (GMAW) uses a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas, making it the fastest and easiest process to learn. It is widely used in manufacturing and fabrication. TIG welding (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod, producing the highest-quality welds with the most control. It is preferred for thin materials, stainless steel, and aluminum. Stick welding (SMAW) uses a consumable electrode coated in flux and is the most versatile process, working well outdoors and on dirty or rusty metal. Most programs teach all three because different jobs require different processes.

Do I need to be certified to get a welding job?

While there is no government-required welding license in most states, the practical reality is that most employers require welders to pass a weld test before hiring. This may be a company-administered skills test or a formal AWS Certified Welder (CW) qualification. Having an AWS certification or NCCER credentials demonstrates your ability to produce quality welds and makes you more competitive in the job market. For specialized work like pipeline or pressure vessel welding, code-specific qualifications under ASME or API standards are typically mandatory.

What are the highest-paying welding specialties?

Underwater welding (hyperbaric welding), pipeline welding, and aerospace welding are among the highest-paying specialties, often commanding significantly higher wages than general fabrication work. Underwater welders may earn $50,000 to over $100,000 annually depending on dive depth and project complexity. Pipeline welders who travel to remote job sites also earn premium wages. These specialties require advanced training, certifications, and significant field experience beyond a basic welding program. Industrial shutdown and maintenance welders who work overtime during plant outages also earn well above average.

How much does welding training cost?

The cost of welding programs varies depending on the type and length of training. Certificate programs at trade schools and community colleges typically range from $3,000 to $15,000, while diploma and associate degree programs may cost $10,000 to $25,000 or more. Students should also budget for personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots), which may add $200 to $500 if not included in tuition. Many schools offer financial aid, and some employers and unions provide tuition assistance or sponsored training. Check with individual schools for current pricing.

What is the job outlook for welders?

The BLS projects 2% employment growth for welders from 2022 to 2032, which is slower than average. However, the field still produces approximately 47,600 openings each year, largely because experienced welders are retiring and creating replacement demand. Industries like infrastructure repair, energy, and advanced manufacturing continue to need skilled welders. Welders with certifications in multiple processes and positions, or those willing to travel for field work, generally have the strongest job prospects.

Is welding dangerous?

Welding involves real hazards, but proper training and safety practices reduce risk significantly. Key hazards include UV radiation and burns from the arc, exposure to welding fumes and gases, electrical shock, and fire risk. Training programs cover personal protective equipment use, proper ventilation, fire watch procedures, and safe work practices. Employers are required to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment per OSHA standards. Welders who consistently follow safety protocols and use appropriate PPE work safely throughout long careers.

Can I start welding without any prior experience?

Yes, most welding programs are designed for beginners with no prior welding experience. Programs start with basic safety and equipment orientation before progressing to fundamental welding processes. A background in shop class or metalworking can be helpful but is not required. What matters most is good hand-eye coordination, a willingness to practice, and the physical ability to work in various positions. Many successful welders entered the field with no prior trade experience.

Salary data reflects U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2024. Actual salaries vary by location, experience, and employer. Program availability and tuition costs vary by school.

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