Best institutions to study Welding Technology/Welder
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces.
911 U.S. institutions graduated 64,198 Welding Technology/Welder students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 48.0508, a specialization of Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05), and leads most directly to the Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers occupation (BLS SOC 51-4121).
About Welding Technology/Welder programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. Includes instruction in 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 processes and heat treating, structural design, safety, and applicable codes and standards.
See also: 15.0614 - Welding Engineering Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Welding Technology/Welder program, part of the Precision Metal Working field, prepares individuals to apply technical skills in joining or cutting metal surfaces. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a hands-on career in welding and metal fabrication, providing essential training for various welding techniques and processes.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in arc welding, resistance welding, and cutting methods, along with safety practices and applicable codes. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as monitoring, critical thinking, and mathematics, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the welding industry.
Credentials awarded
What Welding Technology/Welder graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year32,741 graduates / yr · 611 institutions51%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21,004 graduates / yr · 651 institutions33%
- Award of less than 12 weeks6,465 graduates / yr · 77 institutions10%
- Associate's degree3,887 graduates / yr · 346 institutions6.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years100 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.2%
- Bachelor's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Welding Technology/Welder completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 24,137 |
| 2013 | 25,620 |
| 2014 | 30,667 |
| 2015 | 35,964 |
| 2016 | 39,358 |
| 2017 | 41,233 |
| 2018 | 42,757 |
| 2019 | 45,249 |
| 2020 | 40,929 |
| 2021 | 42,497 |
| 2022 | 46,001 |
| 2023 | 50,572 |
| 2024 | 57,762 |
| 2025 | 64,198 |
Top 50 institutions for Welding Technology/Welder, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa Welding School - Houston Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,087 | 70% | $34,116 | $31,821 |
| 2 | Tulsa Welding School - Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,050 | 72% | $33,589 | $31,821 |
| 3 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 779 | 40% | — | $41,767 |
| 4 | Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 754 | 56% | — | $36,394 |
| 5 | Arclabs Piedmont, SCPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 669 | 76% | $26,425 | $34,843 |
| 6 | Tulsa Welding School - Tulsa Tulsa, OKPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 591 | 68% | $34,362 | $31,821 |
| 7 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 588 | 46% | — | $35,720 |
| 8 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 546 | 47% | — | $29,107 |
| 9 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 535 | 43% | — | $46,133 |
| 10 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 534 | 30% | — | $42,512 |
| 11 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 521 | 27% | — | $24,265 |
| 12 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 496 | 56% | — | $42,282 |
| 13 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 494 | 39% | — | $39,397 |
| 14 | Tulsa Welding School - Dallas Campus Irving, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 470 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 415 | 58% | — | $58,996 |
| 16 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 408 | 35% | — | $34,125 |
| 17 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 380 | 59% | — | $53,172 |
| 18 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 369 | 40% | — | $25,818 |
| 19 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 361 | 31% | — | $25,970 |
| 20 | Refrigeration School Inc Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 359 | 76% | $26,791 | $35,808 |
| 21 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 340 | 43% | — | $41,415 |
| 22 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 339 | 21% | — | $40,863 |
| 23 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 333 | 35% | — | — |
| 24 | Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 324 | 59% | — | $42,233 |
| 25 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 319 | 35% | — | — |
| 26 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 308 | 50% | — | $35,603 |
| 27 | Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 307 | 31% | — | — |
| 28 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 306 | 16% | — | — |
| 29 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 304 | 20% | — | $39,261 |
| 30 | Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 303 | 11% | — | — |
| 31 | Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 301 | 54% | — | $45,366 |
| 32 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 296 | 21% | — | — |
| 33 | Southern Careers Institute - Harlingen Harlingen, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 294 | 60% | $24,989 | $25,077 |
| 34 | Aims Community College Greeley, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 292 | 40% | — | $47,680 |
| 35 | Hobart Institute of Welding Technology Troy, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 290 | 90% | $20,935 | $45,370 |
| 36 | Midwest Technical Institute - Illinois Springfield, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 289 | 69% | $28,377 | $31,630 |
| 37 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 278 | 31% | — | — |
| 38 | Advanced Career Institute Visalia, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 274 | 81% | — | $31,401 |
| 39 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 265 | 18% | — | — |
| 40 | Tidewater Tech - Trades Norfolk, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 257 | 71% | $25,765 | $32,269 |
| 41 | Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Cumberland, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 244 | 47% | — | $30,566 |
| 42 | Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 244 | 60% | $22,532 | $39,141 |
| 43 | Summit College San Bernardino, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 244 | 62% | $25,402 | $37,502 |
| 44 | Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 243 | 22% | — | — |
| 45 | Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 243 | 48% | — | $43,040 |
| 46 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 240 | 38% | — | — |
| 47 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 239 | 17% | — | $27,696 |
| 48 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 234 | 33% | — | $34,928 |
| 49 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 233 | 48% | — | $39,409 |
| 50 | Mohave Community College Kingman, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 231 | 38% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Precision Metal Working field (CIP 48.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Welding Technology/Welder graduates come from. Each state links to all Precision Metal Working programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-4121, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Welding Technology/Welder program can pursue careers as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an estimated 45,600 annual openings and a median wage of $51,000. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 48.0508
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazersprimary SOC 51-4121 | $53,750 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~45,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders SOC 51-4122 | $47,920 | -9.0% Decline | ~3,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Welding Technology/Welder programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
Tools and technology used
Other Precision Metal Working specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05).
- Machine Tool Technology/CIP 48.0501
Machinist 3,489 graduates / yr228 institutions - Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CIP 48.0510
CNC Machinist 2,248 graduates / yr166 institutions - Machine Shop Technology/CIP 48.0503
Assistant 1,542 graduates / yr87 institutions - Metal FabricatorCIP 48.0511588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Tool and Die Technology/CIP 48.0507
Technician 423 graduates / yr35 institutions - Sheet Metal Technology/CIP 48.0506
Sheetworking 415 graduates / yr18 institutions - Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.0599296 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Ironworking/CIP 48.0509
Ironworker limited data102 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What types of welding techniques will I learn?+
You will learn various techniques including Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding.
How long does it take to complete the program?+
The program offers awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in various industries.
What is the job outlook for welders?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 45,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Welding Technology/Welder?+
Welding Technology/Welder is CIP 48.0508 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. Includes instruction in 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 processes and heat treating, structural design, safety, and applicable codes and standards.
How many institutions offer Welding Technology/Welder programs?+
911 U.S. institutions reported Welding Technology/Welder graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 64,198 credentials in the year. That is 87.6% of all Precision Metal Working graduates.
How much do Welding Technology/Welder graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers occupation, which Welding Technology/Welder most directly leads to, pays a median of $53,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Precision Metal Working field report median earnings of $36,930 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card