Oklahoma is a great place to train and work as a welder. Oklahoma’s manufacturing and oil and gas industries require a constant supply of qualified welders to meet its infrastructure needs. That means jobs are often available for welders with varying experience levels. Additionally, an abundance of top welding schools in Oklahoma helps make training accessible.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to become a welder in Oklahoma, including common career paths, top employers, average salaries, and some of the best welding schools in Oklahoma.
What Does a Welder Do?
If you are interested in welding careers in Oklahoma, you may be wondering what type of work you can expect to perform. Welders in Oklahoma commonly perform the following tasks:
- Attaching metals using appropriate techniques
- Identifying metals and deciding on the best processes to work with them
- Reading blueprints
- Inspecting assembled components for soundness
- Maintaining the tools and equipment needed for your job
As a welder, you will need knowledge of metals and their properties, blueprints, and the tools necessary to perform the job. This requires specialized training, which is where welding schools in Oklahoma come in.
Welding Schools Near Me in Oklahoma
Welders must have basic knowledge of metallurgy, architectural drawings and blueprints, and applicable construction techniques. Additionally, they need the skills to perform the required work for their job, which often comes from hands-on experience. A high-quality welding school in Oklahoma will provide all of this and more.
No matter what type of welding career you want to pursue, there are many welding schools in Oklahoma that can provide you with the training necessary to succeed.
Consider these top welding schools in Oklahoma when choosing your training program:
Guthrie Job Corps Center
This free federally funded program offers an accelerated Advanced Technology Welding program for eligible young adults.
- Location: Guthrie
- Phone number: (800) 733-JOBS
- Programs available: Advanced Welding Technology certificate
- Program duration: eight to 12 weeks
- Average cost: Free
Gordon Cooper Vocational Tech School
Considered one of the best welding schools in Oklahoma, Gordon Cooper offers programs for adults and high school students. In addition, several occupational competency certificates are available to students.
- Location: Shawnee
- Phone number: 405-273-7493 x 2312
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: one year
- Average cost: $2,100
Moore Norman Technology Center
Moore Norman Technology Center offers programs for adults and high school students. Additionally, the school’s two locations make attending classes convenient.
- Location: Norman and Oklahoma City
- Phone number: (405) 801-5000
- Programs available: Welding Certificate
- Program duration: one year
- Average cost: $440 (high school students), $4,00 (adults)
Tulsa Welding School
TWS offers morning, afternoon, and evening schedules, so you can fit your training around other obligations. In addition, they offer financial aid and military discounts.
- Location: Tulsa
- Phone number: (855) 237-7711
- Programs: Professional Welder certificate, AOS in Welding Technology
- Program Duration: seven months to two years
- Program Cost: $17,500-$21,700
Welding Career Opportunities in Oklahoma
Many industries utilize welders in the state, including manufacturing, automotive parts and assembly, oil pipelines, rigging and power plants, and infrastructure construction.
How Much Do Welders Make in Oklahoma?
When exploring welding careers in Oklahoma, it is only natural to wonder about salaries. Glassdoor suggests that welders in the state can expect to earn an average of nearly $48,000 per year. This includes approximately $34,000 in base pay and an additional $14,000 in wage premiums.
These figures place Oklahoma in the middle of the national salary average for welders, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states is $ 48,290 per year or $23.21 per hour. The BLS also provides a salary range for welders of $ 31,350 per year (bottom 10 percent) to $63,660 (top 10 percent).
Major Employers of Welders in Oklahoma
Many companies in Oklahoma hire welders. A few of the most recognized include:
FleetPride
- Industry: Automotive parts
- Possible careers: Welder,
Oil States International
- Industry: Oil and Gas
- Possible Careers: Welder
Valmont Industries, Inc
- Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
- Possible Careers: Welder, Fitter, Sub Arc Base Welders
Washita Valley Enterprises, Inc.
- Industry: Gas and Oil
- Possible Careers: Welder
How To Become a Certified Welder in Oklahoma
You need to take specific steps to become a certified welder in Oklahoma. The first is to learn proper techniques to pass the certification exam, which is done through classroom training and hands-on experience working with various metals.
Most people do this by completing high school or its equivalent and enrolling in a welding school in Oklahoma. While not explicitly required, attending a program that provides certification through the American Welding Society or the American Society for Mechanical Engineers can be helpful. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with these certifications.
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Oklahoma?
Welders in Oklahoma must be certified by the state. There are no specific education or training requirements for certification. Instead, it is obtained by passing a competency exam at an approved state test center. It must be renewed annually.
Oklahoma’s welder certification process is not overseen by a board. Welder’s licenses are administered by the Safety Standards Division of the Oklahoma Department of Labor. To get your certification, submit test results, the required $25.00 annual fee, and a completed application to:
Oklahoma Department of Labor
3017 N. Stiles, Suite 100
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Welders do not need additional licensing to operate in the state. However, some contractors that perform metalwork services may choose to obtain both a general contractor and welding license. Our Oklahoma general contractor license guide provides more information about that process.
Oklahoma Welding FAQs
We’ve compiled these FAQs about welding schools and how to become a welder in Oklahoma.
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
If a welding career in Oklahoma sounds like the right path for you, you probably want to know how long it will take before you can begin working. It takes about two years to complete training, gain some hands-on experience, and receive industry certifications in most instances.
If you enroll in an accelerated training program, you may be able to complete these steps in a shorter amount of time. Alternately, if you decide to pursue a degree in welding technology, it can take up to four years to complete.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Oklahoma?
There are few insurance requirements for Oklahoma welders. However, you should still consider purchasing a policy. An equipment policy can protect your tools and equipment if it gets damaged or stolen. Additionally, liability coverage protects you against claims for injuries or property damage caused by your work.
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?
It is entirely normal to have questions when choosing welding schools in Oklahoma. The type of questions you have will determine where to go for answers.
If you want to learn more about AWS or AMSE certifications, it is best to contact the individual agencies.
Contact individual welding schools in Oklahoma for more information about their training programs.
Questions about the state licensing process should be directed to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. You can reach them by calling (405) 521-6100 or emailing labor.info@labor.ok.gov.
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 Oklahoma, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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