If you’re inspired by metal and how to use it to build things, and you’re good with your hands, a career as a welder might be a great choice for you. This guide to welding schools in Connecticut will help you prepare for this cutting-edge career.
What Does a Welder Do?
Once you know how to become a welder in Connecticut, there are myriad jobs you can have. You could be part of the construction industry, build boats or submarines, or go offshore to work on oil derricks or pipe laying.
Welding Schools Near Me in Connecticut
Before you pursue any of the welding careers in Connecticut, you have to learn how to be a welder first. Each of these schools has a strong welding program where you can earn an associate degree in welding or any number of welding certificates.
Asnuntuck Community College
The College Connections program allows high school juniors and seniors to take technology-related classes, such as those for the AAS in Welding or the Advanced Welding Certificate, while they’re still in high school. Students can earn up to 10 college credits per year.
- Location: Enfield
- Phone number: 866-526-6008
- Programs available: AAS in Welding, Advanced Welding Certificate
- Program duration: one to two years
- Average cost: $5,220 to $11,484
Bristol Technical Education Center
Bristol TEC offers an intensive program for learning welding that prepares you for OSHA Construction Certification and for American Welding Society certifications in GMAW (MIG), SMAW (Stick), and GTAW (TIG) welding. Coursework may be completed while you’re still in high school.
- Location: Bristol
- Phone number: 860-584-8433
- Programs available: welding certificate
- Program duration: one year
- Average cost: $4,000
Howell Cheney Technical High School
Cheney Tech is a magnet high school that offers three credits of welding coursework per year to its students.
- Location: Manchester
- Phone number: 860-649-5396
- Programs available: high school diploma
- Program duration: four years
- Average cost: $0
Naugatuck Valley Community College
NVCC teaches students to AWS standards. The school is also an approved site for Connecticut Department of Transportation testing. OSHA safety certification is included in each course.
- Location: Waterbury
- Phone number: 203-575-8000
- Programs available: Gas Metal Arc Welding Basic, Gas Metal Arc Welding Advanced, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Basic, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Advanced, Shielded Arc Metal Welding Basic, Shielded Arc Metal Welding Basic Advanced
- Program duration: several months
- Average cost: $2,100 to $3,300
Goodwin University
Goodwin offers a full-time day program and a part-time night program to earn its welding technology certificate. Try your hand at the CNC plasma table, the virtual reality welding machine, and the innovative Bluco table.
- Location: East Hartford
- Phone number: 860‑528‑4111
- Programs available: Welding Technology Certificate
- Program duration: eight to 18 months
- Average cost: $8,484 to $19,988
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School
Grasso Tech is another magnet high school offering three credits of welding coursework per year to its students.
- Location: Groton
- Phone number: 860-448-0220
- Programs available: high school diploma
- Program duration: four years
- Average cost: $0
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Tech has campuses across the country.
- Location: East Windsor
- Phone number: 844-215-1513
- Programs available: Welding Technology Diplomas in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), MIG (Metal, Inert Gas) or GMAW (Gas, Metal Arc Welding), and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding
- Program duration: ten months
- Average cost: $26,824, including books and supplies; tuition alone is $24,688
Welding Career Opportunities in Connecticut
Welders in Connecticut can work on many different types of projects. They could have a job building bridges, submarines, or storage containers. They might construct skyscrapers or oil derricks. They may create cars or boats.
How Much Do Welders Make in Connecticut?
Indeed says that welders in Connecticut earn about $21.12 per hour with one to two years of experience. That translates to $3,185 per month or $44, 981 per year. If you have ten or more years of experience as a welder, you could earn $56,326 per year. That breaks down to $3,988 per month or $26.45 per hour.
Major Employers of Welders in Connecticut
There are many employers of welders in Connecticut. They include:
- Bechtel, which is involved in engineering, construction, and project management
- General Dynamics Electric Boat, which designs and builds submarines
- Toyota, which manufactures cars, trucks, and SUVs
- McDermott, which dabbles in engineering, onshore and offshore construction, storage, and consulting
- Zachry Construction Corporation, which works in construction and infrastructure
How To Become a Certified Welder in Connecticut
After you’ve earned your GED or high school diploma, your AAS in welding, or your welding certificates, you have two options ahead of you. You can go to work for a company, or you can go into business for yourself. Either way, you should seek the AWS or American Society of Mechanical Engineers for certification to demonstrate your knowledge in the field.
If you decide to be a self-employed welder, there are state licenses you may need, depending on the type of welding you’re going to be doing. This includes pipefitting and sheet metal work.
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Connecticut?
Depending on the work you do as an independent welder, you may have to have a license in Connecticut. There are a variety of welding licenses that may apply to your work. These include the following:
- Welding
- Conveyer and Crane Installer
- Sheet Metal Work
- Heating and Cooling
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
The Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection oversees the licensing for this type of work. Getting your license involves passing an exam taken at a proctored site and paying a fee of $90-150.
Connecticut Welding FAQs
Please include an FAQ at the end of every state guide. More are welcome. Answers can be brief and direct, 1-3 sentences each should usually suffice.
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
Assuming you have a high school diploma or GED already, you could earn a certificate and start working as a welder in as little as four months. You could also take two years to earn your AAS in welding, learning many different welding techniques to improve your job prospects.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Connecticut?
Welders don’t need insurance in Connecticut, especially if they’re working for a company that’s insured already. However, if you decide to strike out on your own, you may want to consider two types of insurance: worker’s compensation and commercial liability.
Workers’ comp covers you and any of your employees in case there’s an on-the-job accident. Even if you don’t have employees, it’s a good idea to have workers’ comp for yourself since most health insurance companies won’t pay for the treatment of work-related injuries.
Liability insurance makes sure you’re protected if someone else or any property is injured during the course of your work. It can secure your financial future in case you’re sued.
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?
If you have questions about how to become a welder in Connecticut, you have many resources. You can contact the Iron Workers Union. Local 424 is based in New Haven and can be reached at 203-787-4154, by using the contact form on its website, or by visiting 15 Bernhard Rd. North Haven, CT 06473. You could reach out to AWS. You could also talk to someone at any of the welding schools we’ve listed.
After you graduate from one of the welding schools in Connecticut, you’re well on your way to working in this ever-expanding industry. You can choose to specialize in one area or welding, or you can spread your wings and embrace many types of welding for a variety of jobs in the field. Welding is an exciting career that can take you anywhere in the world you want to go.
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 Connecticut, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
Call Us