Welding Trade Schools
Learning how to become a welder can lead to reliable opportunities that are challenging yet enjoyable. A welding school offering hands-on training can teach you sought-after skills for multiple specialties. You can also prepare for recognized welding certifications that are relevant to a variety of good-paying industries.
Welding Training
Welding Trade School Training
The typical way to enter this trade is by completing a formal welding program, getting certified, and continuing to learn while on the job. Some employers hire inexperienced people with only a high school diploma (or the equivalent). Many jobs require you to pass on-site welding tests to verify your skills before being hired or to become properly certified after you've been on the job for a while.
Welding Schools
Sponsored Listings
Lincoln Tech
- Welding Technology
Lincoln Tech
- Denver
- East Point (Atlanta)
- Melrose Park
- Indianapolis
- Columbia
- Mahwah
- South Plainfield
- Nashville
- Grand Prairie
- Welding Technology
Tulsa Welding School
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Professional Welder
All-State Career School
- Essington, Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Welding Technology
Fortis
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
- Houston South, Texas
- Welding Technology
Southern Technical College
- Auburndale, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Sanford, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Welding Technology
Universal Technical Institute
- Avondale
- Long Beach
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Miramar
- Lisle
- Canton
- Bloomfield
- Mooresville
- Exton
- Austin
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Houston
- Welding Technology
Benefits of Welding Training at a Trade School
Learning from trained professionals: Experienced instructors understand industry-current practices and the safe use of equipment.
Hands-on practice: Professional welding training can provide practical, hands-on practice with the common projects and tools.
Professional certification: Many welding programs can prepare successful students to get certified through the American Welding Society (AWS) or other professional certification bodies.
Program Options
- Welding certificate: A certificate program is usually the fastest training option. Some courses of study are geared toward people new to the trade and cover several welding processes. Others are meant for existing tradespeople who wish to gain skills for specialties. You can earn stackable certificates in different welding processes at some schools that count toward a future associate degree.
- Welding diploma: At this level, training is fairly streamlined yet somewhat more comprehensive than a general certificate program. A diploma can take as little as a year to earn. Some schools allow you to upgrade your diploma to an associate degree at a later date by taking extra classes.
- Welding associate degree: This study level is usually the most comprehensive for the number of welding techniques you can learn. An associate degree program also tends to include several general courses. And some programs incorporate business-related classes if you ever want to become a self-employed contractor. It typically takes about two years to earn an associate degree.
Welding apprenticeships
Welding apprenticeships can provide income while you complete your training. Some employers and trade unions offer the opportunity to earn money while you learn to weld through classroom-based education and on-the-job training. However, your pay will start significantly lower than that of a journeyperson welder. The closer your skillset is to journeyperson status, the closer you will be to making full wages. Welding apprenticeships have become a little less common than they used to be. They often go to people with formal schooling or trade experience.
Typical Courses
Each trade school will have its own curriculum, but here are some examples of subjects you may learn about, as well as hands-on techniques and practice:
- Workplace safety
- Metallurgy (i.e., the properties of metals)
- Welding symbols and principles
- Fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and electricity
- Trades math
- Blueprint reading
- Mechanical drawing
- Methods of fabrication
- Setup and maintenance of tools and equipment
- Material selection and handling
- Various types of welding methods
- Weld inspection and quality control
- Plasma and thermal cutting
- Automated systems
FAQs
How long is welding school?
Welding trade school training typically takes seven to 24 months, depending on the welding program you choose. However, some schools offer shorter welding courses for tradespeople who only need to learn one or two processes rather than a broader range of techniques.
How much does welding school cost?
A welding training program can cost from $5,000 to around $32,000 for tuition. However, the average welding program tuition cost is about $18,000.
Keep in mind that the above numbers do not include additional fees that the school may require. Some schools may require students to pay separately for items such as equipment and safety gear.
Is there financial aid for welding training?
It is worth looking into financial aid, such as loans, grants, and scholarships you may qualify for — including government resources. For example, President Biden's Build Back Better Framework promises to "reduce costs and expand access to education beyond high school" by investing in workforce development. This commitment means more money directed to training in specific sectors like welding, plus extra support for apprenticeships.
Licensing & Certification
Most states don't require welders to be licensed unless they are self-employed contractors with their own businesses. The few states that do have government licensure, registration, or certification requirements are generally just for a particular area of the trade, such as inspection or structural steel, pressure vessel, or pipeline welding. Some cities in the U.S. also have their own requirements for welders who work for local government.
Although government regulations don't usually require it, many employers insist on certification through an organization like the American Welding Society (AWS). Depending on the projects you work on, you may also need to get certified by other organizations.
Get Your Start With a Welding Trade School
Welding schools near you are ready to help you get started with your focused and convenient vocational training.
Search for nearby programs and get more information about welding program options today. Your first step toward an essential, in-demand, and fun career can happen right now!
