Wherever metal needs to be joined to metal there are opportunities for welders. Arkansas offers a variety of career opportunities for welders in manufacturing and other industries. To successfully launch a career as a welder you need to learn the specialized skills to safely and effectively perform the job. Welding schools in Arkansas are a great place to get the skills you need to begin your career.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welders perform a variety of tasks depending on their level of experience and the industry they work in:
- Joining metal parts in overhead, flat or vertical positions
- Determining the dimensions of parts that are going to be welded
- Ensuring work is free of defects and complies with specifications
- Choosing the appropriate welding technique for the job
- Removing bends and bulges and filling holes
- Equipment and machinery maintenance
Additionally, welders study blueprints, engineering drawings, and material safety data. Welders are responsible for positioning, laying out, aligning, and securing metal parts, igniting welding torches and cleaning slag, excess weld, and spatter off finished pieces. Welders may also mix and apply protective coatings.
Typical welding jobs in Arkansas include MIG welding, fabrication, maintenance work, structural welding, and railroad track repair.
Welding Schools Near Me in Arkansas
If you are wondering how to become a welder in Arkansas, welding schools are a good place to start. Most welding jobs in Arkansas require a high school diploma or GED, though some employers will accept applicants who can demonstrate the ability to read, write and do math at a high school level. Some jobs require the ability to read and follow welding symbols on blueprints. Employers may give preference to applicants who have completed an associate degree, have American Welding Society certification, and have taken coursework on metallurgical properties.
Use our tool below to find the closest welder training programs near you.
Arkansas Elite Welding Academy
Arkansas Elite Welding Academy instruction is designed to replicate the job environment and teach students the knowledge, skills, and ethics they need to improve their quality of life.
- Location: Quitman
- Phone number: 833-354-8310
- Programs available: Combined Structural/Pipe, Pipe Welding, Structural Welding, and Downhill Pipeline
- Program duration: Six to 23 weeks
- Average cost: $7,500 to $24,000
Arkansas State University Beebe
Arkansas State University Beebe is committed to transforming students’ lives by teaching real-world skills that prepare them for entry-level jobs or to transfer to four-year colleges.
- Location: Beebe
- Phone number: 501-882-8860
- Programs available: Certificate of Proficiency, Technical Certificate, Associates of Applied Science – General Technology, and an Associates of Applied Science – Welding Technology
- Program duration: Certificate programs can be completed in four to 12 months. Associate degree programs take two to three years.
- Average cost: Certificate programs cost about $984 – $3690 for residents. Associate degree programs cost about $7,380.
Arkansas State University Mid-South
Arkansas State University Mid-South has designed a program intended to help fill entry-level welding jobs in the Mid-South region.
- Location: West Memphis
- Phone number: 870-733-6722
- Programs available: Certificate of Proficiency – Flux-Core Arc Welding Technology, Gas Metal Arc Welding Technology, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Technology, or Shield Metal Arc Welding Technology
- Program duration: Four to eight months
- Average cost: $1,936 for Crittenden County residents
Arkansas State University Mountain Home
Arkansas State University Mountain Home offers a flexible program that provides all students with instruction in core welding skills while allowing them to choose which advanced topics to study.
- Location: Mountain Home
- Phone number: 870-508-6100
- Programs available: Associate of Applied Science, Technical Certificate or Certificate of Proficiency – Welding Technology, and Certificate of Proficiency – Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Program duration: Four to 12 months for certificate programs and two to three years for the associate degree program
- Average cost: $980 to $2,940 for certificate programs and $5,880 for the associate degree program
Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech programs are designed to help students achieve AWS Entry Level Welding Certification.
- Location: Ozark
- Phone number: 479-667-2117
- Programs available: Technical Certificate, Certificate of Proficiency, or Associate Degree – Welding Technology
- Program duration: Four to 12 months for certificate programs and two to three years for the associate degree program
- Average cost: $1,935 to $3,870 for certificate programs and $7,740 for the associate degree program at in-state tuition rates
National Park College
The National Park College welding program prepares students for certification and employment in a variety of welding specializations.
- Location: Hot Springs National Park
- Phone number: 501-760-4222
- Programs available: Certificate of Proficiency – Pipe Welding, Welding/GMAW, Welding/GTAW, Welding/SMAW, Welding Layout and Fabrication, and Technical Certificate – Welding Technology
- Program duration: Four months for a certificate of proficiency programs and 12 to 16 months for the technical certificate
- Average cost: $1,970 to $6,720 for Garland County residents
Northwest Technical Institute
Northwest Technical Institute teaches students the basic and advanced skills they need to work in entry-level positions in the industrial, commercial or private sectors.
- Location: Springdale
- Phone number: 479-751-8824
- Programs available: Diploma – Welding Technology
- Program duration: 12 months
- Average cost: $6,880
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Arkansas University Tech created the Welding Academy of South Arkansas as a finishing school for students who have basic welding skills.
- Location: Camden
- Phone number: 870-574-4500
- Programs available: Welding Technical Certificate
- Program duration: Nine months
- Average cost: $5,520
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech is located in the Little Rock metro area and many local welding companies recruit graduates from the school.
- Location: North Little Rock
- Phone number: 501-812-2200
- Programs available: Technical Certificate and Certificate of Proficiency – Welding Technology
- Program duration: Four to 12 months
- Average cost: $2,611 to $5,222
Welding Career Opportunities in Arkansas
The majority of welding careers in Arkansas are in the manufacturing industry. MIG welding and fabrication jobs are the most common. There are also welding jobs related to the railroad and construction industries available in the state.
How Much Do Welders Make in Arkansas?
Welders in Arkansas earn an average hourly wage of $19.11 and an average annual salary of $39,750. Wages range from a low of $18.88 per hour for inexperienced welders to a high of $23.64 per hour for welders with more than 10 years of experience.
Major Employers of Welders in Arkansas
- Hilark Industries is a locally owned and operated manufacturer of specialty trailers and dump bodies. It employs welders in fabrication positions. The average salary is $17 – $19 per hour. It has a 3.2 out of 5-star rating on indeed.
- Waste Management is a Fortune 250 company and North America’s largest provider of recycling and environmental solutions. It hires welders to perform preventative maintenance and repair on containers and compactors. The company offers 100% tuition paid for eligible employees and family members. It has a 3.4 out of 5-star rating on indeed.
- ABB is a global leader in the automation and robotics industry. It hires welders for its manufacturing operations at an average salary of $16.53 to $23.39 per hour with a $0.20 and $0.30 premium for second and third shift work. It has a 3.9 out of 5-star rating on indeed.
How To Become a Certified Welder in Arkansas
There are no state-specific certification requirements to work as a welder in Arkansas and many employers do not require certification. However, some employers allow candidates to substitute certifications for experience, and having a certification on your resume may boost your earning potential.
Many welding schools in the state offer a variety of certifications. The American Welding Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers are the most widely recognized providers of welding certification. Achieving certification through one or both of these organizations may help you qualify for higher-paying and more advanced welding positions.
Do You Need a License To Be a Welder in Arkansas?
There is no state-specific license requirement for welders in Arkansas. If you do other types of work in addition to welding, you may need a general contractor’s other professional license.
Arkansas Welding FAQs
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a welder in Arkansas.
1. How Long Does It Take To Become a Welder?
Many welding certification programs can be completed in as little as four months. However, most employers want at least a year of experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education for entry-level jobs. Higher-level certifications and degrees may take one to three years to complete. Whichever path you choose, expect to spend at least one to two years on classroom education and apprenticeship before you can work on your own.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Arkansas?
There is no state requirement for welders to carry commercial insurance in Arkansas. However, because welding mistakes can cause fires, injuries, or other property damage you may want to consider purchasing liability insurance. Additionally, if you are required to purchase your tools, you may want insurance protection for loss or theft.
You can easily request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners using the tool below.
3. Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
The welding schools mentioned in this guide are a good resource for questions about becoming a welder in Arkansas. You may also want to contact local unions, such as the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, or visit local career websites and organizations.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Welder in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Arkansas, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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