The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report (2022) records a median annual pay of $47,540 for welders. Experienced welders may earn more and new welders have opportunities to diversify their income streams. One of the advantages of entering the industry is the short-term training. If you have a passion for working with your hands, have strong mathematical skills, have steady hands and good hand-eye coordination, and attentive to detail, a career as a professional welder may be right for you. Keep in mind that welding has its share of hazards, so you must be safety minded and be fully trained on the hazards and operation of welding equipment. This is where the right welder program is essential. The program should have a strong emphasis on hands-on instruction. Repetition is the key to the development of top notch skills that employers want. The right training will get your feet in the door. Thereafter, you will build your skills through experience and with time. Industry certification, while not mandatory, will demonstrate your commitment to excellence in the field.
Dallas College
Students interested in earning a degree in Welding can enroll in the Welding Technology AAS program at Dallas College. The curriculum exceeds that of a certificate program, cover intermediate and advanced welding topics for graduates to qualify for employment as welding inspectors. In addition to oxyacetylene and arc welding, students will be introduced to specialized welding techniques that will be beneficial in the field. Students will learn tooling, drafting, metallurgy, and pattern layout first-hand. Theory and practical instruction will cover introductory welding, oxy-fuel welding and cutting, welding metallurgy, shielded metal arc welding, reading blueprints, intermediate shielded metal art welding, metal arc welding, sketching, gas tungsten arc welding, advanced welding, cooperative education welding, and certified welding inspector exam review. The AAS degree requires completion of the some elective and GE courses.
Program overview:
Welding Technology – AAS
Duration: 24 months
Credit hours: 60
Prerequisites:
- Apply for admission to Dallas College
- Schedule and attend an advising session
- Must complete TSI requirements
- Schedule and attend a program information session
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have graduated from an accredited high school or equivalent
- Must be eligible to work in the US
- Must provide copy of social security card and state ID
Program cost:
The program cost is $4,740 for Dallas County residents. Books, supplies, materials, uniforms, tools, and fees are the responsibility of the student. The cost of books, fees, and supplies must be added to the cost.
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite TX 75150
- Phone: 972-860-7100
Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
The Welding Technology program at UTI is offered in partnership with Lincoln Electric. Anyone can enroll in the program – those with little to no skills and those seeking to build their knowledge and skills in the field. The curriculum’s emphasis on the four primary welding processes will prepare students for immediate employment after graduation. Classroom theory is an essential part of the program. However, most of the learning will take place in the school’s lab where students will use VRTEX® virtual welders to develop skills before using a welding torch. The program’s main modules are Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Principles of Welding, Introductory Welding, Safety in Welding, Engineering and Fabrication, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Welding Applications, and Pipe Welding. Graduates will be prepared to take and succeed on national welding certification exams such as those offered by the American Welding Society.
Program overview:
Diploma in Welding Technology
Duration: 9 months
Clock hours: 900
Credit hours: 36
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 16 years old – those under 18 must obtain a signature from a parent or guardian
- Must have graduated from high school or equivalent – documentation of completion required
- Must obtain a clear criminal background check
- Must demonstrate English language proficiency
- Must submit proof of US citizenship
Program cost:
The estimated program cost of $23,570 covers the cost of tuition, books, fees, uniform, and equipment.
- Website: https://www.uti.edu/
- Address: 5151 Regent Boulevard, Irving, TX 75063
- Phone: 972-505-2200
Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech offers a Diploma Welding Technology program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to become pipe welders. The program includes extensive hands-on training that will enable students to build skills and understand the primary welding applications. Students will be introduced to SMAW, GMAW/MIG, FCAW, and GTAW/TIG. They will learn to welding pipes in different positions such as vertical, horizontal, and overhead pipes. Areas of study are basic arc welding procedures, welding and cutting fundamentals, SMAW – plate welding, GMAW/FCAW MIG – plate welding, welding procedures, fabrication processes, pipe welding, GMAW/FCAW (MIG) pipe welding, introduction to pipe systems, and joining steel pipes. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills required for employment as a structural or pipe welder. They will also be prepared for success on assessments for any project. The program has several scheduling options for students’ convenience.
Program overview:
Diploma in Welding Technology
Duration: 52 weeks day and evening
Contact hours: 1200
Credit hours: 46.5
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have graduated from high school or passed the High School Equivalency
- Must complete a school assessment to demonstrate college readiness
- Must attend a new student orientation
- Must apply for admission to Lincoln Tech before applying to the program
Program cost:
The program cost of $40,128 includes tuition, books, uniforms, registration fee, student fee, technology fee, and tools.
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu/
- Address: 2915 Alouette Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
- Phone: (972) 660-5701
MT Training Center
MT Training Center offers a comprehensive Combination Welding Program for Texas residents seeking a career in the field of welding. Students will learn primarily through hands-on activities in the school’s well-equipped workshop. Before hands-on work begins on the torch, students will learn safety, operation of a welding machine, and other basics. Areas of study include reading blueprints, cutting processes, gas tungsten arc welding processes, introduction to pipe processes, gas metal arc welding processes, shielded metal arc welding, flux-core welding, calculations, and professionalism. Graduates will be prepared for industry certifications and for employment as welders. Day and evening schedules are offered.
Program overview:
Combination Welding Technology– Diploma
Duration: 4.5 months (full-time) 10 months (part-time)
Instructional hours: 1070
Semester credit hours: 46.5
Prerequisites:
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Must submit passing scores on the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test
- Must complete an admissions interview
- Must apply for admission to the program
- Must submit valid identification including a social security card and photo ID
Program cost:
The program cost of $22,500 includes tuition and registration fee.
- Website: https://www.mttrainingcenter.org/
- Address: 1801 S. Great Southwest Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75051
- Phone: 469.616.2700
Tarrant County College
The Welding Technology program at Tarrant County College prepares students for entry into the high-demand field of welding. Students will acquire a broad skillset that will prepare them for employment in various sectors including construction, shipbuilding, machinery, automotive, and aerospace projects. They will learn how to join metal components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions, buff, grind and cut pipes for soldering, and examine their work for defective or broken parts. The AAS program covers 60 credit hours. Course topics include introduction to GMAW, introduction to blueprint reading, introduction to SMAW, introduction to GTAW, introduction to FCAW, introduction to pipe welding, advanced SMAW, introduction to layout and fabrication, intermediate welding using multiple processes, advanced GTAW, and advanced pipe welding. Graduates will be prepared to apply for industry certifications.
Program overview:
Welding Technology AAS
Duration: 4 semesters
Semester credit hours: 60
Prerequisites:
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Must obtain satisfactory scores on admissions assessment
- Must complete an admissions interview
- Must apply for admission to TCC
- Must submit valid identification including a social security card and photo ID
Program cost:
Tuition costs $3,480 for Dallas County residents. Books and supplies are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 5301 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
- Phone: 817-515-8223