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What is Welding?

Welding is an area of employment that deals with the merging of metal through the use of heat as generated by various machines. Individuals in this field must maintain safety standards, and understand the properties of the metal they are use, as well as be proficient in the use of various welding tools in order to complete projects.

Welding is a critical trade that directly and indirectly impacts virtually everyone and every entity from all corners of the globe.  From commercial buildings to car manufacturing and bridges to art, welding is an integral function of our modern-day society.  Data collected from the American Welding Society affirm this fact as nearly 50% of our total GNP consists of welded products, welding work, and related welding services.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$42,450

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

12.69%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

382,730

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2025 Best Welding Schools

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is at the top of our list of colleges offering a program in welding in the United States. Students in the course utilize a variety of arc and or gas welding and cutting equipment to weld metal. They have the opportunity to develop skills such as grinding, clamping, positioning, and the detection and repair of cracks using various testing equipment. Upon completing the program, graduates have multiple job offers.             

Acceptance Rate

89.77

Tuition

$15,340 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

New Castle School of Trades offers qualified students a top-rated welding program.  The combination welding course is an entry-level program to help students new to the field gain the necessary knowledge and skills of a seasoned welder.  Like most trades, learning in class in conjunction with hands-on learning is the key to success.  NCST provides students ample opportunity to learn by doing and apply those skills in a variety of projects.  Exposure and repetition in welding help build skills and overall confidence in the field of welding. 

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$20,736 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Career College of Northern Nevada's welding degree program students gain the quality hands-on experience they need to start an in-demand career as a welder, cutter, solderer, or brazer. The institution collaborates with local employers to build their curriculum and ensure them to gain essential skills needed to thrive in the field. Students learn the primary functions of successful welding and fabrication. Upon completion of the program, graduates have a solid foundation to launch their careers. A career in welding and fabrication allows them to work practically anywhere.

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$25,325 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Mercer County Technical Education Center's part-time welding program is an ideal program for busy professionals.  MCTEC’s program focuses on helping individuals develop their skills in an effort to advance their careers as professional welders. Instruction and training will include classroom lectures and discussion, laboratory demonstrations and practice, as well as preparation for certification tests. Students have the opportunity to obtain the essential knowledge and skills needed to perform welding techniques and use welding equipment. Upon completion, graduates gain certification.     

Acceptance Rate

80.43

Tuition

$5,517 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Perry Technical Institute provides vocational programs for students wishing to enter into the work force with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. PTI was founded in 1939 by Harriet I. Perry in memory of her late husband, local business pioneer John M. Perry. The school is located and serves the community of Yakima, Washington. The school does not have a traditional fall start date, instead offering a year round approach to enrollment.

Academics

Perry Technical Institute offers eleven vocational programs for students to choose from. Each program has knowledgeable instructors with professional experience in order to provide students with the most comprehensive and quality education possible.

Programs Offered:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students wishing to enroll at Perry Technical Institute must make a visit to the campus, take a placement exam, provide previous transcripts and proof of graduation from high school or a GED, pay all associated fees and attend the mandatory orientation. Financial aid is available to eligible students, with eligibility determined by the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA), which should be completed and submitted in or to be considered.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$42,175 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Rosedale Technical Institute's Welding Technician program combines comprehensive, hands-on training and industry-level equipment. They are committed to preparing students for job placement immediately after graduation. Providing diagnostic seminars, Women in the Trades events, and open houses to further help them decide. In just eight months, students can receive extensive hands-on training that gives them the confidence and skills to feel prepared for a career in the Welding Industry. Their curriculum focuses on a broad spectrum of subjects. A diploma in Welding Technician is awarded upon graduation.

Acceptance Rate

60.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Advanced Technology Institute's Maritime Welding Technology course offers quality training in the practical aspects of construction and repair of equipment and structure built with steel. Students learn to weld pipe in multiple positions. Instruction is presented in both classroom and laboratory using modern welding equipment and tools. The program is dedicated to providing its students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for entry-level employment as a combination structural and pipe welder.

Acceptance Rate

47.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Laurel Business Institute's Welding & Fabrication with Pipeline Technology program will prepare graduates for entry-level positions in welding repair, welder fabricator, industrial mechanics, and pipefitter/welder. Students will be trained in welding procedures, blueprint reading, fabrication, and layout. Individuals enrolled in the course along with the members of the welding public, are able to take advantage of their elite level of industry credentialing. Laurel graduates will have the opportunity to take AWS Certification tests at an Accredited Test Facility (ATF), becoming an AWS Certified Welder (CW).

Acceptance Rate

91.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

About
Ohio Technical College, located in Cleveland, Ohio, was established in 1969 and was known as Ohio Diesel Mechanics School. The school occupied the second floor of a building in the warehouse district, but as popularity for the program grew, the school moved to a larger location and added diesel automotive programs to its curriculum. By 1984 the school had added a full automotive service program and experienced continued growth., resulting in one of the many name changes the school has experienced in its history. In 1994 the school began offering associate degrees, resulting in the current name of the school, and assisting students in pursuing managerial positions. Today the school is continuing its growth with the development of new programs and a partnership with BMW.

Academics
Ohio Technical College provides educational opportunities related to the automotive industry through a number of programs. These programs result in certificates or associate degrees and reflect the large number of specializations within the automotive repair industry. Additionally, the school offers programs in diesel generators and technology. Instructors are professionals from the automotive industry and work hard to ensure that students receive the best education and training possible to enter the workforce as professionals.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at Ohio Technical College must be over 18 years of age and have met the minimum basic curriculum requirements prior to admission. To begin the process for admission students must contact the school, at which point an advisor will consult with the student regarding program choice, career goals, and assist in starting the application process.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and the OTC Financial Aid Application. The information provided in these documents will be used to determine need, program eligibility and monetary awards.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$20,880 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Laurel Business Institute has a robust Welding & Fabrication with Pipeline Technology program will prepare graduates for entry-level positions in welding repair, welder fabricator, industrial mechanics, and pipefitter/welder. Students will be trained in welding procedures, blueprint reading, fabrication, and layout. Individuals enrolled in the course along with the members of the welding public, are able to take advantage of their elite level of industry credentialing. Laurel graduates will have the opportunity to take AWS Certification tests at an Accredited Test Facility (ATF), becoming an AWS Certified Welder (CW).

Acceptance Rate

91.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Interested in a career-focused college with a wide range of technical programs and a convenient campus near you? Then Institute of Technology is the perfect educational experience for you. We'll help you launch a new future of real opportunities.

Since 2004, we have been fulfilling our vision to be the premier provider of postsecondary education in the western U.S., measured by student satisfaction and focused educations that lead to valued careers. Our exciting list of career training programs includes education for the fields of allied health, network technology, computer technology, computerized accounting, web/graphic design, culinary arts, and more. Our class schedules are flexible, and our instructors provide classroom instruction balanced with ample hands-on training.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$31,935 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$32,865 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$47,350 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

37:1

University of Cincinnati (UC) is one of the top 25 public research universities in the United States. Located in Ohio on what is considered one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world, the University of Cincinnati is ranked among the best national universities in 2010 by "US News and World Report" magazine.  The UC has also been named a "green university" by the Princeton Review.

Among its notable alumni are Joseph B. Strauss, who designed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, and George Rieveschl, who invented Benadryl, the world's first antihistamine. Albert Sabin, another UC graduate, developed the first oral polio vaccine.

History

Founded in 1819 as the Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio, which merged around 1870 to become the University of Cincinnati. The first "Cooperative Education" program was established at UC in 1906. In 1977, the University of Cincinnati joined the University System of Ohio.

Academics

The academic calendar of the University of Cincinnati currently follows the quarter system, but will be transitioning to the semester system in the fall of 2012. Students may contact their academic advisors for assistance and guidance for successful semester conversion of academic units.

UC has 308 programs of study, and offers 49 Associate's, 103 undergraduate, 152 graduate and four professional degrees.

Colleges and Schools

The University of Cincinnati's 14 colleges and schools are:

  • McMicken College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Allied Health Sciences
  • College of Business
  • Clermont College
  • College-Conservatory of Music
  • College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
  • College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • College of Law
  • College of Medicine
  • College of Nursing
  • James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
  • Raymond Walters College
  • Graduate School

Student Life

Many choices for on-campus housing are offered at UC, including suite-style living, lifestyle floors (where you live with students from major, athletic team or honors program), and more.  There are also numerous dining venues on the UC campus, including a Starbucks café and vegetarian options.

The Student Life Offices on the UC campus offers many resources and choices of clubs, groups, organizations and leadership opportunities including the African American Cultural & Resource Center, Bearcat Bands, Early Learning Center, Women's Center, Greek Leaders Council, Student Government, and more.

Traditions

The University of Cincinnati has several traditions, including its bearcat mascot, Lucy.  The former bearcat mascot, Alice, was a fixture at UC's home athletics games for more than 12 years.  Since 1008, Lucy has attended many "Bearcat" sporting events.

Athletics

The Cincinnati "Bearcats" athletics teams compete in many intercollegiate sports and they have won many national championships.

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

Satellite Campuses

In addition to its main, Cincinnati Uptown Campus, the University of Cincinnati has several satellite campuses in the Cincinnati area:

  • Cincinnati Uptown Campus: Uptown East Campus; Uptown West Campus
  • Clermont Campus
  • Medical Campus
  • Raymond Walters Campus
  • Reading Campus
  • Victory Parkway Campus

Community Life

The Campus Recreation Center (CRC) is located on UC's Uptown Campus and is open to students, employees and the community for recreation and fitness.  Many amenities are available, and events and activities at the CRC include guest lectures, parties, team-building events and sports tournaments. The Uptown East Campus offers recreation and exercise facilities at The Fitness Center.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) offers excellent productions in drama, musical theatre and opera for students and community members.  The CCM's annual Mainstage Series is a big attraction for the local community.

Acceptance Rate

76.67

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Lex La - Ray Technical Center is located in Lexington, Missouri, a city of 4,726. As a small city, most who live in Lexington are used to the small town life of rural America. Lexington is known for maintaining much of the 1800s style architecture in the town buildings.

In 2012, tuition at the Lex La - Ray Technical Center cost $10,979, and enrollment was 38 students. As a vocational school, it provides services to both adults and high school students who are looking for technical skills to improve their careers. Here are some of the programs that the center offers to its students:

  • Agriculture Education
  • Automotive Technology
  • Building Trades and Cabinet Making
  • Collision Repair Technology
  • Computer Maintenance and Networking
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Health Occupations (including Practical Nursing)
  • Industrial Welding

The Lex La – Ray Technical Center believes in hands on training, and that is why their students graduate with the skills needed in order to become useful and valuable members of the workforce. For adults, registration for admissions is completed through an online form.

Acceptance Rate

56.25

Tuition

$13,782 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, located in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, is a center for career education that offers many choices to those who are looking to jumpstart their current career and those who want to pursue a new one. LCCTC offers many programs of study, as well as lots of student services to help students succeed and achieve their goals. Many career certificate programs of study are offered at LCCTC for adults and high school students. These programs include: advanced manufacturing, agriscience, construction technologies, consumer services, culinary arts, health care, information technology, and more. They also offer flexible programs for those adults who also work a full time job. These flexible programs include: culinary arts, construction, transportation logistics, and visual communications. Lancaster County Career and Technology Center offers a wide array of student services that are aimed at helping students be successful. These student services include: career planning and job placement, counseling services, English as a second language classes, financial aid officers, scholarship programs, guided tours of the campus, and a compilation of student forms available online for convenience. There is also an adult education program available at LCCTC for those who need help preparing for the GED exam. These classes are complementary and are led by a certified GED instructor. Take the time to learn more about LCCTC today by researching their website further.  Additional insights on career certificates and various degree programs are available via the Lancaster official website.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$14,965 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Institute of Medical Careers began as Academy for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy and was eventually called Pittsburgh School of Pain Management. This school started the Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy program, a one-of-a-kind program in the United States. To qualify for admission, applicants 18 years old and above must be a high school graduate or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) certified and they must also pass the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test. This school is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is authorized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Private Licensed Schools. IMC fosters an environment conducive to learning through the provision of essential facilities and equipment. Moreover, to ensure the delivery of high quality education, classes are led by highly qualified educators. Students of IMC are given academic opportunities in any of the following programs: Career in Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy and Phlebotomy. These programs are designed to develop students' occupational skills essential for starting a career in a globally competitive industry. Upon finishing a course, students are assisted in finding a career in the Pittsburgh area or in any area they prefer.  To learn more about admissions and degree pathways at IMC, simply visit the school site or request information via this page.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$20,100 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$24,266 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

Champlain Valley Technical Education is commonly known to residents as VC-Tec.  With a broad array of vocational programs, CV-Tec offers degree programs for students of all ages and abilities.  The highly touted welding degree at CV-Tec is a two-year program bolstered by a state-of-the-art facility.  Professors provide students with in-class academic knowledge coupled with various welding techniques used in a number of industrial applications.  Examples of welding types taught at CV-Tec include gas tungsten, flux cored, gas metal, and shield metal. 

Acceptance Rate

27.88

Tuition

$10,607 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

2:1

The Refrigeration School (RSI) has trained individuals to become professional, entry-level Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) technicians since 1965. RSI has since expanded its training and now offers multiple career-focused training opportunities. RSI’s instructors are experienced industry professionals. RSI’s training programs are designed based on industry feedback to meet employers’ needs. RSI promotes a student-centric learning environment to support the learner who desires to put forth a great deal of effort to achieve his or her desired professional goals. Current Programs at RSI Include the following:

  • Electrical Technologies
  • Welding Specialist
  • Refrigeration Technologies & HVACR Training
  • Electro-Mechanical Technologies
  • Mechanical Maintenance Engineering
  • Electrical Applications
The Refrigeration School was established to train entry-level Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) technicians. The Refrigeration School added the Electrical Technologies and Electro-Mechanical Technologies courses in 1986 and 1987 respectively, to respond to the growing demand for entry-level electricians and facility maintenance technicians. In 1992 the school made an additional commitment and developed the Associate of Occupational Studies degree program in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering. The RSI campus which is easily accessible from all parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area, includes two buildings with 21,000 square feet of classroom, lab, and support service facilities. An additional 5,400 square feet of outdoor shop area brings the total to over 26,000 square feet of training facilities.  We at RSI want to ensure that your education experience is a rewarding one. Please note that RSI offers ample support to all its students. We wish you the best in achieving your educational and professional goals.  See more about the school here. The Refrigeration School (RSI) offers quality vocational training designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the skilled trades, specifically in the fields of HVAC/R, electrical wiring and solar installation. Students are given the tools they'll need to succeed in the professional workplace, and are allowed ample practice time using modern equipment, such as our E-STAR and M-STAR systems. Our career-focused curriculum offers hands-on training with an emphasis on troubleshooting, and our highly experienced instructors guide trainees toward mastery. Graduates who are dedicated to learning will find that the techniques, technology and problem-solving attitudes honed at a reputable technical school can provide a solid foundation for a rewarding career. RSI has been helping students succeed for over five decades, and proudly offers extensive career services, housing assistance, GED training and financial aid for those who qualify.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$19,924 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

34:1

MIAT College of Technology's Welding Career Training program provides hands-on training, practical experience, and industry support to help them pursue a rewarding technical career. The classes are interactive and led by dedicated school instructors with years of experience working with welding equipment in a professional setting. Students have the opportunity to receive one-on-one attention and personal support to gain essential welding skills and help them feel confident entering the industry. They are trained with the latest trends and practices they need to be successful in their future career.

Acceptance Rate

83.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Western Technical College, located in El Paso, Texas, is a privately owned 2 year institution dedicated to career education. For over forty years WTC has provided vocational education opportunities to students through practical and formal instruction. The staff is experienced and dedicated to providing students with the best education possible for a given program, imparting the skills learned through professional experience.

Academics

Western Technical College provides vocational programs a in a variety of fields and educates its students to be able to work in those fields after completion of the program. A professional faculty and state of the art facilities will assist in the education process, and practical applications along with traditional study will be utilized to learn a develop the skills necessary for success.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students wishing to enroll at Western Technical College must be seventeen years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs may require additional testing as well as medical information. WTC offers a several forms of financial aid assistance. Students interested in financial aid should contact the financial aid office to begin the process. The financial aid office will assist interested students through every step of the application process.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$27,099 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

30:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$47,650 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

40:1

State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred's Welding Technology is taught according to the highest standards set by the American Welders Society (AWS) and is AWS certified. Students will have the opportunity to complete AWS level 1 during their first year. An advanced welder is taught during the second year. Welding Technology labs are housed in the state-of-the-art Sustainable and Advanced Manufacturing Center. Learn more about the SUNY Alfred welding program by visiting the school’s website. 

Acceptance Rate

66.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,172 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Advances in Welding

Welding continues to evolve as the trade becomes more and more technology-centric. As a result of this evolution, the industry has seen more and more younger, technology-savvy students in the welding field. This shift is evident in the workplace as more teams work with lasers, robots, CAD programs, and other trade-specific technologies to enhance welding processes. As a result of this trend, professional welders are integrated into work groups with sales, inspectors, engineers, and architects across various industries.

College students entering college today may be introduced to high-tech aspects of the trade through an educational process known as virtual welding. The essence of virtual welding is the utilization of technology to simulate the essential aspects of welding in a classroom setting. This program was developed by the Edison Welding Institute to provide students simulated welding experience in a safe environment to supplement the academic knowledge acquired in a college environment. Fusing hands-on experience with academic theory becomes a powerful learning mechanism for students learning the welding trade.

How To Become a Welder

To be seriously considered for the welding jobs of today, you will need to successfully leverage education and work experience. Paths to a welding professional can be attained by earning a certificate of completion in welding, an associate degree, or bachelors degree in welding. The prerequisites for many colleges and trade schools consist of having a GED or high school diploma. We have outlined a series of steps below to help you better understand how to enter the welding field.

Step 1 Research Schools

The first step in your journey to entering the workforce in welding is to research accredited colleges and universities matching your professional goals and objectives. By utilizing search tools or our proprietary matching portal, school information can be readily obtained in a few clicks.

Step 2 Apply

After gathering information from colleges and trade schools, you will need to complete their respective applications. Take the time to highlight your work experience and volunteer work in welding or fabricating to help you stand out from other applicants. Apply to several schools and apply early as many programs have extensive waiting lists.

Step 4 Attend College

After gaining admissions to your top college, you can then sign up for classes and begin your studies in welding or welding technology. The two-year associate degree and 4-year bachelors degree paths will provide students with a science-rich view into welding technology along with general education classes such as philosophy, math, and English. On the other hand, a certificate program in welding will be a shorter program strictly focused on the welding trade without liberal arts courses.

Step 5 Graduate, Exams, Certification, & Work

Upon graduating from an accredited college or university, you will may be required by your employer to obtain a trade-specific examination and/or certificate. Make sure to understand their requirements during your application process to maintain a realistic timeline of your path to a job in welding.

Top Welding Degrees

The path to becoming a welder or welding engineer can be varied depending on your goals, career objectives, and choice of college programs.  The three options below provide additional details on the types of higher education options available to students and working professionals looking to get into the welding field or upskill within their trade.

Certificates in Welding

There are a number of certificate programs in welding and diploma programs in welding to choose from.  Selecting the best certificate program for you will depend on your vocational track and job opportunities in your area.  Certificate programs can be earned online or in a classroom setting to help you advance your career.  Many programs will require students to take a practical examination including how to read blueprints and demonstrating various welding techniques.  Certificate programs will teach students basic safety practices along with various welding and cutting techniques.  Certificate programs can vary in length from a few weeks to a year depending on the program and your qualifications.

Associate Degree in Welding

An associate degree in welding is a 2-year program balancing technical knowledge and upper level math with liberal arts classes like philosophy, English, and communications.   Core classes may include the opportunity to learn about various arc welding techniques, metal identification, and metallurgic properties. Academic exercises are coupled with hands-on learning in the shop using various equipment, heat sources, technology, and applications to give students exposure to various welding tools.  Classes in an associate degree program in welding may include:

  • Blueprint and weld print basics
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding
  • Welding Inspection & Testing
  • Safety in Manufacturing
  • 2D and 3D Mechanical CAD
  • CNC Welding Applications
  • Welding Metallurgy
  • Robotic Welding
  • Layout & Welding Fabrication
Bachelor Degree in Welding

A bachelor’s degree in welding is a 4-year program providing knowledge and experience to students in the mechanical design and manufacturing aspects of welding.  Several accredited colleges require students to have substantive work experience and/or an associate’s degree in welding prior to matriculation while other programs allow for direct-entry for students without prior experience.  Welding engineering programs rely heavily on chemistry, computer technology, physics, and math.    Careers for welding techs that earn a bachelor’s degree may include: production welder, sales manager, metallurgy specialist, materials science, operations manager, CNC specialist, fabrication consultant, welding inspector, and welding supervisor.

Most Popular Welding Jobs

There are nearly a hundred different types of welding processes and methodologies. The array of welding specialties allows practitioners to create new solutions with varied solutions depending on the application, budget constraints, environment, access to technology, and trade knowledge. When boiled down into groups, there are 5 primary areas of specialization within the welding trade that include: arc welding, oxyfuel gas welding, solid-state welding, resistance welding, and specialized welding.

1. Arc Welding

What is Arc Welding? Arc welding is a type of welding procedure using a power source to create an electric arc between a base metal and a wire or electrode stick to melt the base metal(s) at the bonding location.

Examples of Arc Welding: atomic hydrogen arc welding, plasma arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, bare metal arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, carbon arc welding, and magnetically impelled arc welding.

2. Oxyfuel Gas Welding

What is Oxyfuel Gas Welding? Oxyfuel gas welding uses fuel gases like acetylene, MPS, gasoline, butane, propylene, and/or hydrogen with oxygen to weld and cut materials.

Examples of Oxyfuel Gas Welding: oxygen-propane welding, oxyhydrogen welding, oxyacetylene welding, pressure gas welding, and air acetylene welding.

3. Solid-State Welding

What is Solid-State Welding? Solid-state welding is a specialization used to bond base materials together by melting them together without the use of additional brazing filler materials.

Solid State Welding Examples: ultrasonic welding, coextrusion welding, hot pressure welding, diffusion welding, explosion welding, friction stir welding, cold pressure welding, electromagnetic pulse welding, hot isostatic pressure welding, roll welding, and forge welding.

4. Resistance Welding

What is Resistance Welding? Resistance welding joins metals through a high-speed process using electrical heat and pressure to hold materials together.

Examples of Resistance Welding: resistance seam welding, flash welding, upset welding, projection welding, resistance spot welding, and low frequency electric resistance welding.

5. Specialized Welding

What is specialized welding? Specialized welding is the remaining cluster of welding specialties that do not fit into resistance welding, solid-state welding, oxyfuel gas welding, or arc welding.

Examples of Specialized Welding: electron beam welding, laser-hybrid welding electroslag welding, induction welding, laser beam welding, flow welding, electrogas welding, thermite welding, and percussion welding.

Welding Colleges and Class Requirements

An education in welding typically results in a certificate or associate degree, with certificates being most common. Welding is a technical skill, though it is complex in its application, and requires a large amount of safety education prior to starting welding itself. Upon completion the safety portion of the education, students will learn about the various types of welding, how and when they are used, which tools to use and how in order to achieve desired results, and the effectiveness of welding on different metals.

A curriculum may include:

  • Safety
  • Gases and Heat
  • Metals and Welding
  • Welding Tools
  • Welding Techniques

Most students will be able to find school that offer welding programs locally, either through career colleges or community colleges. Community colleges tend to offer associate level programs, which add general education courses to a welding curriculum, providing additional education opportunities, and can be a determining factor for personal preference. Additionally newer tools and welders are generally safer and more desired, and schools should invest in regularly maintaining and updating them.

What Colleges Teach Welding?

There are several dozen colleges and trade schools across the nation that offer welding programs for students and working professionals. The key to finding the right welding program is aligning your priorities with quality teaching methodologies in the right learning environment. To determine your priorities in an efficient manner, take the time to read our Complete Guide to the College Admission Process. This guide is packed with resources and tools to help you establish your priorities and get into the best college for you. Once you have a set of priorities established and a set of goals to attain, impactful life decisions can be made with more clarity and certainty.

Finding a welding school near you has never been easier. You can either utilize the resources and schools listed on this page or utilize our proprietary matching tool to find the perfect welding program for you. Through the use of this technology, you can pinpoint welding programs in a particular state or school type to easily gather information from top schools on your list with a few clicks.

Employment Opportunities for Welders

With nearly 25% of welding technology being computerized, the need for trained welding professionals will remain steady over the coming decade. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for a welder in the United States is $39,380 with an estimated 128,500 job openings available in the next ten years. In addition to the income growth, the welding industry offers an array of career paths to support long-term job growth and stability. By leveraging higher education and technology, welders from all walks of life can find challenging, meaningful work in a number of industries.

The average wages across the welding industry are approximately $19 per hour with some cities in excess of $34 per hour, with specialized roles (underwater welding, boilermakers, welding leads) making significantly more per year. As an example, Payscale estimates the annual income of a welding supervisors total pay between $38,618-$86,213 depending on work experience, industry, geographic location, certificates achieved, and variable compensation.

Top Employers in Welding Technology

  • Architectural & Structural Manufacturing 48,370
  • Agriculture and Constructing 21,280
  • Auto and Trailer Manufacturing 19,930
  • Machinery Manufacturing 16,970
  • Commercial & Industrial Machinery 15,080

States with the Highest Employment of Welders

  • Texas 53,790
  • California 27,440
  • Ohio 17,280
  • Pennsylvania 15,820
  • Louisiana 15,540

Top Paying States for Welders

  1. Alaska $70,940
  2. District of Columbia $59,560
  3. Hawaii $58,170
  4. Wyoming $57,380
  5. North Dakota $52,210

For additional information about degree programs and career options for future welders, take the time to read our Complete Guide to a Career in Welding

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