SOURCE: Weldingdigest.com article "Continuing college or going to technical school – which makes more financial sense?" by American Welding Society
Don't want to spend 2- 4 years in college and $20,000-$40,000 or more in a college degree?
You don't need a college degree to be a welder and you won't need to invest that much either.
If you like working with your hands, like to build things, like to know how things are made and how they work, then welding can be the right career for you.
Careers in welding are exciting. You can work in a wide variety of industries, explore the states and other countries, work outdoors or indoors and even underwater.
Moneywise, a welding career is very rewarding. On average, professional rig welders make around $95/hour. You also have options to join different unions, and the pay can be just as rewarding.
To build a solid foundation for a fruitful career in welding, you will need to invest time and money - you can't take shortcuts. You have to be committed and dedicated. Our fast-track welding program is specifically designed for those who are serious about welding and don't want to spend 2 or more years at a community college learning just the basics. When you sign up for our program, you will walk out of our school within 2-6 months, with the most-sought after welding certifications in hand - ready to work and earn money. On average, students earning one or two certifications start with a $20/hr salary with full benefits. The more experience and certifications you have, the more skilled and valuable you are, and the higher the pay rate.
Our welding trade school program is designed to teach you how to weld in a short period of time and get you certified, so you can get to work and start earning money right away. We often help our students find jobs, as companies contact us quite often looking for welders. We will also teach you how to look for work, as this is an essential skill to have in the welding industry.
The options listed below will help you decide what type of welding career to pursue, the training needed, and the investment you need to make.
You don't need a college degree to be a welder and you won't need to invest that much either.
If you like working with your hands, like to build things, like to know how things are made and how they work, then welding can be the right career for you.
Careers in welding are exciting. You can work in a wide variety of industries, explore the states and other countries, work outdoors or indoors and even underwater.
Moneywise, a welding career is very rewarding. On average, professional rig welders make around $95/hour. You also have options to join different unions, and the pay can be just as rewarding.
To build a solid foundation for a fruitful career in welding, you will need to invest time and money - you can't take shortcuts. You have to be committed and dedicated. Our fast-track welding program is specifically designed for those who are serious about welding and don't want to spend 2 or more years at a community college learning just the basics. When you sign up for our program, you will walk out of our school within 2-6 months, with the most-sought after welding certifications in hand - ready to work and earn money. On average, students earning one or two certifications start with a $20/hr salary with full benefits. The more experience and certifications you have, the more skilled and valuable you are, and the higher the pay rate.
Our welding trade school program is designed to teach you how to weld in a short period of time and get you certified, so you can get to work and start earning money right away. We often help our students find jobs, as companies contact us quite often looking for welders. We will also teach you how to look for work, as this is an essential skill to have in the welding industry.
The options listed below will help you decide what type of welding career to pursue, the training needed, and the investment you need to make.
Trade Unions:
Want to join a local union? We offer welding courses to get you on the right track.
If you plan to join the Iron Workers Union, Longshore Union, the Union of Operating Engineers, Elevator Constructor Union, Piledrivers Union, enroll in the Ironworker welding career package. What you will learn in this course is applicable to work performed by all these unions.
If you plan to join the Boilermaker Union and the Plumbers and Steamfitters union , enroll in the Pipe Welder career package.
See career builder packages below. For more information and a full list of courses, visit our welding courses page!
Want to join a local union? We offer welding courses to get you on the right track.
If you plan to join the Iron Workers Union, Longshore Union, the Union of Operating Engineers, Elevator Constructor Union, Piledrivers Union, enroll in the Ironworker welding career package. What you will learn in this course is applicable to work performed by all these unions.
If you plan to join the Boilermaker Union and the Plumbers and Steamfitters union , enroll in the Pipe Welder career package.
See career builder packages below. For more information and a full list of courses, visit our welding courses page!
Welding Career OPTIONS
Click here to enroll in the welder career builder training bundle of your choice.
1) Bundle 1 - All around welder - Structural and Pressure Piping. Foundation for a more versatile welding career.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld structural steel plate with SMAW (stick) and FCAW (flux core), followed b a basic pipe welding course. This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: up to 49 classes, 298 hours of welding training Includes 4 Welder Certification Tests.
2) Bundle 2 - Ironworker welding career This course is recommended for those who want to work on structural welding, including welding on moment connections, and fabrication.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick) and pipe/tubular, followed by welding on structural steel with FCAW (flux core), with a focus on seismic (earthquake) applications. This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: up to 49 classes, 298 hours of welding training Includes 4 Welder Certification Tests.
3) Bundle 3 - Process Pressure Piping Welder career. This course is recommended for those who want to weld at oil refineries, power plants, steam piping, utility piping in buildings.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick), followed by basic and advanced pipe welding courses, welding with SMAW (stick), FCAW-g (flux core gas shielded) and GTAW (tig).
Duration: up to 49 classes, 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
4) Bundle 4 - Pipeline welding career. This course is recommended for those who want to weld on natural gas and petroleum pipelines.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick), followed by basic and advanced pipeline welding courses.
Duration: up to 89 classes, 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
5) Bundle 5- Aerospace welder career. This course is recommended for those who want to work in the aerospace industry.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on sheet metal with GTAW (tig), including tubing, all in very thin material.
Duration: up to 36 Classes, 232 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
6) Bundle 6 - Welding career in food and beverage processing industry, water filtration, industrial kitchens, breweries, wineries, duct work…
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on 18 & 10 gage Stainless Steel Sheet with GTAW (TIG, followed by welding on Stainless Steel Pipe and Stainless Steel Tubing for Sanitary Applications.
Duration: 24 classes, up to 144 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
7) Bundle 7 Career in light gage structural, for framing and decking.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learnt to weld on 18 and 10 age galvanized and uncoated plain carbon steel with GMAW (MIG), and FCAW-S (flux core self shielded). This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: 25 classes, up to 154 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
8) Bundle 8 - Motorsport welder. This course is recommended for those who want to work in the race car industry.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on Stainless Steel Sheet, carbon steel sheet, and aluminum sheet, with GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG), followed by welding on chrome moly and Aluminum tubing.
Duration: 36 classes, up to 216 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
9) Bundle 9 - Career in automative (I-CAR). This course is recommended for those who want to work in automotive/body shop.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on Stainless Steel Sheet, carbon steel sheet, and aluminum sheet, with GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG), followed by training for I-CAR test in carbon steel and aluminum.
Duration: 36 classes, up to 216 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
10) Bundle 10 - Underwater welding career (dry welding). This course is recommended for those who want to weld on structures underwater.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate and pipe/tubular with SMAW (Stick), followed by pipe welding on stainless steel and carbon steel with GTAW (TIG).
Duration: 48 classes, up to 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
Click here to enroll in the welder career builder training bundle of your choice.
1) Bundle 1 - All around welder - Structural and Pressure Piping. Foundation for a more versatile welding career.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld structural steel plate with SMAW (stick) and FCAW (flux core), followed b a basic pipe welding course. This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: up to 49 classes, 298 hours of welding training Includes 4 Welder Certification Tests.
2) Bundle 2 - Ironworker welding career This course is recommended for those who want to work on structural welding, including welding on moment connections, and fabrication.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick) and pipe/tubular, followed by welding on structural steel with FCAW (flux core), with a focus on seismic (earthquake) applications. This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: up to 49 classes, 298 hours of welding training Includes 4 Welder Certification Tests.
3) Bundle 3 - Process Pressure Piping Welder career. This course is recommended for those who want to weld at oil refineries, power plants, steam piping, utility piping in buildings.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick), followed by basic and advanced pipe welding courses, welding with SMAW (stick), FCAW-g (flux core gas shielded) and GTAW (tig).
Duration: up to 49 classes, 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
4) Bundle 4 - Pipeline welding career. This course is recommended for those who want to weld on natural gas and petroleum pipelines.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate with SMAW (stick), followed by basic and advanced pipeline welding courses.
Duration: up to 89 classes, 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
5) Bundle 5- Aerospace welder career. This course is recommended for those who want to work in the aerospace industry.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on sheet metal with GTAW (tig), including tubing, all in very thin material.
Duration: up to 36 Classes, 232 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
6) Bundle 6 - Welding career in food and beverage processing industry, water filtration, industrial kitchens, breweries, wineries, duct work…
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on 18 & 10 gage Stainless Steel Sheet with GTAW (TIG, followed by welding on Stainless Steel Pipe and Stainless Steel Tubing for Sanitary Applications.
Duration: 24 classes, up to 144 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
7) Bundle 7 Career in light gage structural, for framing and decking.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learnt to weld on 18 and 10 age galvanized and uncoated plain carbon steel with GMAW (MIG), and FCAW-S (flux core self shielded). This course will also prepare you to become an L.A City Certified Welder - which is a "must have" certification if you want to work within the City of Los Angeles' jurisdiction.
Duration: 25 classes, up to 154 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
8) Bundle 8 - Motorsport welder. This course is recommended for those who want to work in the race car industry.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on Stainless Steel Sheet, carbon steel sheet, and aluminum sheet, with GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG), followed by welding on chrome moly and Aluminum tubing.
Duration: 36 classes, up to 216 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
9) Bundle 9 - Career in automative (I-CAR). This course is recommended for those who want to work in automotive/body shop.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on Stainless Steel Sheet, carbon steel sheet, and aluminum sheet, with GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG), followed by training for I-CAR test in carbon steel and aluminum.
Duration: 36 classes, up to 216 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
10) Bundle 10 - Underwater welding career (dry welding). This course is recommended for those who want to weld on structures underwater.
Description: In this series of courses, you will learn to weld on structural steel plate and pipe/tubular with SMAW (Stick), followed by pipe welding on stainless steel and carbon steel with GTAW (TIG).
Duration: 48 classes, up to 288 hours of welding training Includes 3 Welder Certification Tests.
Click here to enroll in the welder career builder training bundle of your choice.
Welding Courses
Below are other options for welder training:
Learn SMAW (Stick) & FCAW-S (Self Shielded Flux Core Arc Welding):
- Get AWS D1.1 Certified on Structural Steel Plate. This is the most basic and widely accepted of all Welder Certifications. Become an Ironworker (structural steel welder). Get "high", work for a contractor or structural steel erector. Help our buildings withstand earthquakes!
Both SMAW & FCAW certifications are a "Must Have" !
- Get City of Los Angeles Welder Certification both in "Manual" & "Semi-Automatic" If you live and work in Southern California...these certifications are also a "Must Have" !
- Get ASME Section IX / AWS B2.1 Certification. Become a professional pipe welder, boilermaker, work in oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants...be qualified to weld on process & power piping.
NOTHING in the world beats being a certified pipe welder !!!
- Get API 1104 Certified and become qualified to weld on petroleum product pipelines, cross country pipelines, and natural gas transmission or distribution lines.
On cross-country pipelines, the scenery will change every time you lift your welding helmet and move forward to the next weld joint !!!
- Get AWS D14.3 Certified and become qualified to weld the manufacturing and repairs of construction and agricultural machinery (heavy equipment & farming).
In this field, you will be a busy person...guaranteed !
Learn GMAW (MIG) or FCAW-G (Flux Core Gas Shielded):
- Get AWS D1.1 certified. Work for structural steel Fabricators ! Shop welding is for those with family, that want to work close to home. Great work !
Learn GTAW (Tig):
- Get AWS D17.1 Certified! Become an Aerospace Tig welder or get the AWS 18.1 Pipe and Tubing Certification to weld on austenitic stainless steel tubing for hygenic applications (farmaceutical and food industries).Working these industries is a "Class Act".
- Want to learn Underwater Welding? It all starts getting certified on land and becoming a certified commercial diver, then progressing to "wet" SMAW welding inside a tank .
AND SO MUCH MORE !!! Contact us for more information or Click here to view a full list of courses.
Learn SMAW (Stick) & FCAW-S (Self Shielded Flux Core Arc Welding):
- Get AWS D1.1 Certified on Structural Steel Plate. This is the most basic and widely accepted of all Welder Certifications. Become an Ironworker (structural steel welder). Get "high", work for a contractor or structural steel erector. Help our buildings withstand earthquakes!
Both SMAW & FCAW certifications are a "Must Have" !
- Get City of Los Angeles Welder Certification both in "Manual" & "Semi-Automatic" If you live and work in Southern California...these certifications are also a "Must Have" !
- Get ASME Section IX / AWS B2.1 Certification. Become a professional pipe welder, boilermaker, work in oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants...be qualified to weld on process & power piping.
NOTHING in the world beats being a certified pipe welder !!!
- Get API 1104 Certified and become qualified to weld on petroleum product pipelines, cross country pipelines, and natural gas transmission or distribution lines.
On cross-country pipelines, the scenery will change every time you lift your welding helmet and move forward to the next weld joint !!!
- Get AWS D14.3 Certified and become qualified to weld the manufacturing and repairs of construction and agricultural machinery (heavy equipment & farming).
In this field, you will be a busy person...guaranteed !
Learn GMAW (MIG) or FCAW-G (Flux Core Gas Shielded):
- Get AWS D1.1 certified. Work for structural steel Fabricators ! Shop welding is for those with family, that want to work close to home. Great work !
Learn GTAW (Tig):
- Get AWS D17.1 Certified! Become an Aerospace Tig welder or get the AWS 18.1 Pipe and Tubing Certification to weld on austenitic stainless steel tubing for hygenic applications (farmaceutical and food industries).Working these industries is a "Class Act".
- Want to learn Underwater Welding? It all starts getting certified on land and becoming a certified commercial diver, then progressing to "wet" SMAW welding inside a tank .
AND SO MUCH MORE !!! Contact us for more information or Click here to view a full list of courses.