by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, welding technology/welder was the 215th most popular major nationwide with 42,490 degrees awarded. This represents a 3.8% increase in wielding degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 40,882.
Our 2023 Best Welding Technology/Welder Schools ranking analyzes 78 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for welding technology/welder students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of wielding programs later in this article.
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly is a required skill for wielding majors. Required skills include monitoring/assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic welding technology/welder program qualifications, to serve in some wielding careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Wielding degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in welding technology/welder to something that takes less time like a . The type of wielding degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to wielding, with approximately 1.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for wielding workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 44.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 30.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 18.1% |
| Some College Courses | 6.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in welding technology/welder careers have.
This of course varies depending on which wielding career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your wielding degree? Welding Technology/Welder careers are expected to grow 3.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to welding technology/welder.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 427,300 | 5.6% |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 44,200 | -10.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for wielding graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for welding technology/welder graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers wielding grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $44,360 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,160 |
With over 1,796 different wielding degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased wielding school rankings to help you with this.
Welding Technology/Welder is one of 8 different types of Precision Metal Working programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 3,285 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,689 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,921 |
| Tool & Die Technology/Technician | 584 |
| Metal Fabricator | 430 |
