Welding Technology/Welder
Program Availability
Schools Offering
1,445
1,631 total including inactive
States
49
Available nationwide
Graduates (2024)
50,493
Total completions
Welding Technology/Welder is offered as a certificate and associate program at schools nationwide, making it one of the more widely available trade program. The most popular states are North Carolina, California and Illinois.
Career & Cost Overview
Median Salary
$51,000
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Job Growth
+2.2%
10-year projected growth
Median Tuition
$3,720
In-state annual rate
Graduates typically pursue careers as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. In-state tuition ranges from $434 to $17,895, and the work is primarily indoor with moderate physical demands — suited for hands-on learners who enjoy practical work.
Graduate Demographics
Gender Distribution
Degree Level Distribution
Is This Career Right for You?
Is This Career Right for You?
Interest Profile (Holland Codes)
hands-on, practical work with tools and equipment; organizing, systematizing, and working with data; research, analysis, and problem-solving
What does this mean? ▼
This career is best suited for people who enjoy:
- Building things
- Working with hands
- Organization
- Data management
- Conducting research
- Solving complex problems
Ideal Candidate Profile
👤 Personality Traits
💡 Interests
⭐ Work Values
❓ Ask Yourself These Questions
Do you enjoy hands-on, practical work with tools and equipment; organizing, systematizing, and working with data; research, analysis, and problem-solving?
Do you value monitoring?
Are you willing to develop the technical skills required for this field?
✓ This Career May Be Great For You If:
- • Hands-on learners who enjoy practical work
- • Analytical thinkers who enjoy problem-solving
- • Detail-oriented individuals who value organization
⚠ Consider These Challenges:
- • Those who prefer desk-based, theoretical work
- • Those who prefer routine tasks
- • Those who dislike repetitive tasks
Note: This assessment is based on typical requirements and characteristics for careers in this field. Individual experiences may vary. Consider your own interests, values, and goals when making career decisions.
Where Can You Study Welding Technology/Welder?
Click on any state to view schools offering this program.
Related Programs
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant
Metal Fabricator
Tool and Die Technology/Technician
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
Precision Metal Working, Other
Ironworking/Ironworker
Precision Production, Other
Precision Production Trades, General
Boilermaking/Boilermaker
Upholstery/Upholsterer
Woodworking, General
Furniture Design and Manufacturing
Showing 15 of 17 related programs in this field.
From the Blog
Underwater Welder Pay, Training, and the Honest Risk Picture
The viral 'underwater welders die at 15%' headline and the '$300K salary' headline are both wrong. What AWS, BLS, NIOSH, and OSHA actually report about pay, training cost, fatality rates, and the wet-vs-dry hyperbaric career split — for welders evaluating the highest-paid, highest-risk niche in the trade.
Ohio's Manufacturing Trades Boom: Why Welders, Machinists, and Industrial Electricians Are in High Demand
Ohio's $137.9 billion manufacturing sector — home to Intel's $28B semiconductor campus, Honda's $4.4B EV battery plant, and 687,000 manufacturing jobs — is creating urgent demand for welders, CNC machinists, industrial electricians, and millwrights. Here's what the data says and how to get started.
Essential Tools & Gear for Welders: A Complete Guide
Discover the must-have tools, safety gear, and equipment every welder needs — from apprentice starter kits to professional setups.
How Technology Is Changing Specific Trades in 2026
From 3D-printed homes to AI-powered diagnostics and robotic bricklayers, here's how real technology is reshaping what it means to work in the skilled trades right now.