Welding Program

The welding program at Rock Valley College prepares students for careers as welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, application engineers, sales engineers, and project engineer or manager. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. Program course include: arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, welding process and heat treating, structural design, safety, and codes and standards. Get more details below including other Illinois colleges that offer welding program.

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Rock Valley College

401 S State Street, Chicago, IL

Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, opened its doors in 1965 with the goal of providing local students an education to rival the university experience. With over 100 degree and certification programs, a Rock Valley education will set you on the path toward future success in the work force or your pursuit of even higher education! An innovator among community colleges, Rock Valley offers students 21^st-century options to expedite learning. The Afternoon College is an accelerated eight-week program of study.  RVC students can log on to iTunes University and access professors’ lectures. The school simply understands that our rapidly-changing society demands innovative educational strategies, and Rock Valley is keeping up with the times.

In an effort to encourage development of well-rounded students, Rock Valley College offers extracurricular activities in the arts, academics, health and fitness, and much more.

Students interested in attending RVC should contact the Rock Valley admissions office. Tuition is affordable and financial aid is available to help eligible students in certain programs defray educational costs. Rock Valley is a solid choice for students who are looking for a progressive education in an environment that understands the demands of 21^st-century life.

Students Enrolled in the Welding Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Rock Valley College offers a less than one year certificate program in welding.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

Description

Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, welders, cutters, and welder fitters employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 6
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.75
  • Average Annual Salary: $38990
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 800
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.85
  • Average Annual Salary: $41280
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.07
  • Average Annual Salary: $37580

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Description

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -18.0% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 870
  • Average Hourly Rate: $16.80
  • Average Annual Salary: $34940
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 200
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.09
  • Average Annual Salary: $35550
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 120
  • Average Hourly Rate: $15.00
  • Average Annual Salary: $31190

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).