Welding offers a rewarding and lucrative career using a hands-on skill that has value across many industries. If you are interested in learning how to become a welder or knowing about welding schools in Pennsylvania, this guide is a comprehensive resource. With a growing need for certified welders, a number of educational programs throughout the state, and a variety of job opportunities, the Keystone State can help you unlock a successful career in welding.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welders repair or create metal products using heat-welding tools to fuse metals, including aluminum, brass, or stainless steel. A fitting career choice for someone who enjoys hands-on work, welders report tremendous job satisfaction from their finished projects. The full scope of welding work requires technical detail as well as technical knowledge and affords the opportunity for creativity and artistic application.
Tasks for welders include the following:
- Inspecting metal parts and structures
- Studying blueprints
- Maintaining equipment
- Monitoring heat and flame levels of tools and metal
- Working on infrastructure in a variety of locations
Welding Schools Near Me in Pennsylvania
Employers generally do not provide on-the-job training for welding positions, so you should ensure you have the necessary skills and certifications before applying for a job. For most welding jobs, you are required to have either a high school diploma or GED. Vocational training or apprenticeships under qualified welders are useful for learning the craft. Certification is available through the American Welding Society to verify that you possess the skills for your welding job in a safe manner. There are ample welding education programs available in Pennsylvania to kickstart your training.
All-State Career School
This private school offers associate degrees and certificates with most graduates earning over $40,000 within 10 years of graduation.
- Location: Essington, PA
- Phone number: (610) 362-1124
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding
- Program duration: 9 months
- Average cost: $11,278
Berks Career & Technology Center
This certification program is in a small school setting and has a 79% graduation rate.
- Location: Leesport, Pennsylvania
- Phone number: 610-743-7630
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 15 months
- Average cost: $15,260
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology has 113 students enrolled and offers undergraduate programs culminating in Associate’s degrees.
- Location: Pleasant Gap, PA
- Phone number: (814)359-2793
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding and Metal Fabrication Technology
- Program duration: 9 months
- Average cost: $15,980 tuition and fees
Clearfield County Career and Technology Center
This small school with a student body of approximately 41 offers certifications in less than two years of study.
- Location: Clearfield, PA
- Phone number: (814)765-5308 x202
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding & Metal Fabrication Technology
- Program duration: 9 months
- Average cost: $17,450 tuition & fees
Community College of Allegheny County
This multi-campus school has 13,217 students and offers undergraduate programs culminating in an Associate’s degree.
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Phone number: (412)323-2323
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding, Gas & Oil; Certificate in Welding Technology; Associate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 2 years for an associate degree
- Average cost: $5,854 in-state tuition
Delaware County Community College
This rural public institute offers Associate’s degrees and has 9,989 undergraduate students enrolled.
- Location: Media, PA
- Phone number: (610)359-5000
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology; Associate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 225 hours
- Average cost: $9,710 in-state tuition
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
This small school has 133 students enrolled in undergraduate certification programs.
- Location: Altoona, PA
- Phone number: (814)946-8450
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding
- Program duration: 800 hours
- Average cost: $16,388 in-state tuition
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
With a student population of 159, this public institution has a graduation rate of 79%.
- Location: Johnstown, PA
- Phone number: (814)266-6073
- Programs available: Certificate in Adult Welding
- Program duration: 720 hours
- Average cost: $17,850 in-state
Harrisburg Area Community College
This community college offers 2-4 year programs with certifications and Associate’s degrees to a student population of 15,376,
- Location: Harrisburg, PA
- Phone number: (717)780-2300
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding; Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 3 semesters
- Average cost: $8,160 in-state tuition
Indiana County Technology Center
With 118 students enrolled, this small school offers certification programs in less than two years and graduates 82% of its students.
- Location: Indiana, PA
- Phone number: (742)349-6700
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 10 months
- Average cost: $8,075
Johnson College
This private 2-4 year school offers Associate’s degrees and has a student body of 497 with a 95% acceptance rate and 62% graduation rate.
- Location: Scranton, PA
- Phone number: (570)342-6404
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: one year
- Average cost: $12,000
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
This public 2-4 year institute offers Associate’s degrees to a student body of 348 students.
- Location: Lancaster County, PA
- Phone number: (717) 464-7050
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding
- Program duration: 12 months
- Average cost: $12,600
Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School
A student population of 122 at Lebanon County Voc-Tech participates in certification programs of less than two years.
- Location: Lebanon, PA
- Phone number: (717)273-8551
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: less than 2 years
- Average cost: $12,900 in-state tuition
Luzerne County Community College
Luzerne has a student population of 4,454 and offers certifications and Associate’s degrees.
- Location: Nanticoke, PA
- Phone number: (570) 740-0200
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding; Associate in Welding
- Program duration: up to 2 years
- Average cost: $10,020
New Castle School of Trades
This private 2-4 year school has an acceptance rate of 100%, a student population of 606, and a graduation rate of 74%.
- Location: New Castle, PA
- Phone number:(724) 964-8811
- Programs available: Certificate in Combination Welding; Associate in Combination Welding
- Program duration: 75 hours
- Average cost: $19,260
Pennsylvania College of Technology
This public 4-year college offers a successful program for welding technology.
- Location: Williamsport, PA
- Phone number: (570) 326-3761
- Programs available: Certificate in Welding; Associate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 28 credit hours
- Average cost: $17,610
Pittsburgh Technical College
Description
- Location: Oakdale, PA
- Phone number: (412) 809-5100
- Programs available: Associate in Welding Technology; Certificate in Welding Technology
- Program duration: 65 hours
- Average cost: $16,699
Welding Career Opportunities in Pennsylvania
The welding industry in Pennsylvania is expected to grow by approximately 6% over the next 5 years. Industries that offer employment to skilled welders include aerospace, automotive, building and bridge construction, power plants, refineries, shipbuilding, and pipelines.
How Much Do Welders Make in Pennsylvania?
The average welder in Pennsylvania earns approximately $18.34 per hour, equating to $38,150 annually. Highly skilled or specialized welders can earn close to six figures.
Major Employers of Welders in Pennsylvania
The largest employers of welders in Pennsylvania include the following:
- Bechtel ($93,316): an internationally respected construction, engineering, and project management company operating in the infrastructure, energy, metals, mining, nuclear, environmental, and security sectors.
- Toyota ($86,509): an innovative leader in the automotive industry.
- McDermott ($83,460): a technology-driven provider of construction and engineering solutions in the energy industry.
How To Become a Certified Welder in Pennsylvania
A high school diploma or GED and appropriate levels of hands-on training are required to become a welder in Pennsylvania.
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Pennsylvania?
Licensure is not required for welders in Pennsylvania, but certification is encouraged for best employment outcomes.
Pennsylvania Welding FAQs
The following questions are asked frequently by those pursuing welding as a new career.
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
Welding skills are primarily hands-on and utilize elements that can be complex and even dangerous. As a result, welding students must exercise practice, time, and patience as they study with a qualified instructor. It generally takes 7 months to 2 years to acquire the skills necessary for welding certification.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania requires welders to hold general liability insurance to protect against damages, both direct and indirect.
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 American Welding Society has a toll-free line at 800-443-9353 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST on Mondays through Fridays to answer questions you may have about the industry.
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 Pennsylvania, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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