As a welder, you will spend your workday joining metals using a variety of techniques and processes.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Arizona earn $52,440 on average, as of May 2023, but salaries range from less than $40,000 to more than $70,000, depending on experience, education, employer, and a variety of other factors.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to complete your high school education or equivalent, and then technical and on-the-job training that teaches you the skills needed for this profession.
Programs are also available for high school students who want to earn dual credit.
During their training, students typically learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding Symbols
- Types of welding joints performed in pipe welding
- Welding Processes
- Welding Safety
- And more
Most programs teach the following processes:
- SMAW/Stick
- GTAW/TIG
- GMAW/MIG
- FCAW/Dual Shield
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the format you choose.
We invite you to read our list of the best welding schools in Arizona and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Dixie Technical College
About the School
Dixie Technical College offers over 25 hands-on programs that focus on hands-on learning and can be completed in one year or less.
The welding technology program available at the college gives students the opportunity to spend more than 83% of the total program in the lab.
Students learn MIG welding, TIG welding, flux-cored arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, oxyfuel, and plasma arc cutting.
Total tuition and course fees sum up to approximately $6,800.
The program includes 30 credit hours.
Courses Offered
Students in this program learn about:
- MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-cored arc welding
- Understanding welding metallurgy, joints, and positions
- Practice blueprint reading and welding symbols interpretation
- Master oxyfuel and plasma cutting safety and techniques
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 610 S Tech Ridge Dr, St. George, UT 84770
- Phone: (435) 674-8400
- Website: https://dixietech.edu
#2Vocational Training Institute
About the School
The Vocational Training Institute offers HVAC/R and welding programs that provide students with an engaging, practical learning experience.
The certification programs can prepare students for careers by teaching them how to work with metal fabrication, pipe welding, electrical systems, refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning.
The institute was established in 2010 by a U.S. Army Veteran and focuses on short-term, fast-paced education and practical experience aimed at helping to solve the labor procurement needs of the HVAC/R industry.
Courses Offered
The Welding program available at the Vocational Training Institute covers topics such as:
- OSHA 10-Hour Safety
- Construction Drawings
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Basic Metal Preparations
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Welding Symbols and Print Reading
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 W. Alice Ave. Phoenix AZ 85021
- Phone: (602) 243-9926 ext. 1001
- Website: https://myvocationaltrainingaz.com
#3The Refrigeration School
About the School
The Refrigeration School offers HVAC/Refrigeration, electrical, and welding programs.
The welding program prepares students for careers in welding and metal fabrication.
The program is available at the Phoenix campus and can be completed in seven months.
Students receive hands-on training in core welding processes with widespread industry applications:
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
- Gas Tungsten arc welding
Classes teach students welding processes such as:
- How to prepare arc welding equipment
- How to cut metal using thermal torch techniques
- How to prevent weld distortion
Students also learn about welding safety best practices and basic metallurgy.
Contact Information
- Address: 4210 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Phone: (480) 660-2490
- Website: https://www.rsi.edu
#4Eastern Arizona College
About the School
Eastern Arizona College offers a Welding program that provides students with well-equipped welding shops and instructors who work closely with students while they engage in hands-on, real-world training.
The program covers multi-process digital welders for SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW welding.
Students acquire diversified skills that allow them the flexibility to shift from one industry to another.
Courses Offered
The following welding programs are available at the college:
- Welding Technology Associate of Applied Science- four full-time semesters
- Welding Technology Certificate- two full-time semesters
- Welding Manufacturing Fundamentals Certificate- four full-time semesters
Contact Information
- Address: 615 N Stadium Ave, Thatcher, AZ 85552
- Phone: (928) 428-8472
- Website: https://eac.edu
#5Arizona Western College
About the School
Arizona Western College offers a Welding program that covers a selection of technology courses and programs that prepare graduates for a career in welding.
The content and instruction focus on traditional welding processes and practices of oxyacetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, as well as non-traditional processes of plasma arc, resistance welding, fluxed core arc, submerged arc, and electron beam.
Graduates prepare for careers in metal fabrication, maintenance, education, supervision, sales and services, and many other opportunities associated with welding technology.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Welding- A.A.S. Occupational Degree
- Welding- CERT Occupational Certificate
- Welding Certificate of Proficiency GMAW FCAW Plate
- Welding Certificate of Proficiency SMAW
- Welding entry-level
Contact Information
- Address: 2020 S Ave 8 E, Yuma, AZ 85365
- Phone: (928) 317-6000
- Website: https://www.azwestern.edu
#6Pima Community College
About the School
Pima Community College offers a welding program that uses both lecture and hands-on training to teach basic and advanced welding techniques and processes.
Pima teaches a variety of processes, from oxygen fuel welding and cutting to automated robotic welding.
Students prepare for successful employment in construction fabrication and industrial manufacturing settings as welders, cutters, cutter, and welding machine operator.
The program covers courses in:
- Blueprint reading
- Metallurgy
- Computer-aided drafting
- Core electric arc welding processes
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Welding & Fabrication- AAS Degree
- Welding Basic, Certificate
- Welding, Fabrication- Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 4905 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85709-1010
- Phone: (520) 206-4500
- Website: https://www.pima.edu
#7Gateway Community College
About the School
Gateway Community College offers several welding programs that prepare students for industry certifications and employment in the field.
The following programs are available:
- Welding: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe (day)
- Welding Funamentals (Day)
- Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Ferrous and Non-Ferrous
Programs are 720-hour long each.
Students enrolled in the Welding Fundamentals program receive an introduction to the knowledge and skills required to work with modern industrial welding equipment using advanced welding techniques, including:
- Gas metal arc welding
- Flux core arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
Students learn:
- How to adhere to industry safety regulations applicable to welding environments
- Demonstrate proper use of machines, tools, and equipment
- Describe quality control standards
- Interpret technical drawings
- Use mathematical skills to solve basic welding problems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 108 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Phone: (602) 286-8000
- Website: https://www.gatewaycc.edu
#8West-MEC
About the School
West-MEC’s mission is to prepare students for tomorrow’s careers.
Their Welding Technology program focuses on incremental levels of competency-based training to prepare students to enter the welding industry.
The course introduces the common welding processes used throughout many parts of the industry, such as SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and Oxy-fuel cutting.
After completing the program, students may test to receive welding qualifications.
The program includes 900 clock hours.
Program costs vary depending on the chosen course:
- Program of study: $16,950
- Program of study-Plate: $11,350
- Program of study- Pipe: $5,800.
Contact Information
- Address: 5487 N. 99th Ave. Glendale AZ 85305
- Phone: 480-680-0584
- Website: https://www.west-mec.edu
#9Yavapai College
About the School
Yavapai College offers a Welding program that includes the following options:
- Welding- Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate
- Welding- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Certificate
- Welding- Pipe Welding Certificate
- Welding- Structural Welding Certificate
The programs lead to short-term certificates and are 2-3 semesters long.
Students who want to achieve a Structural Welding Certificate take the following courses:
- Oxyacetylene
- Arc I
- Arc II
- Blueprint Reading
In total, the program requires 15 credits.
Students learn how to:
- Use welding safety procedures
- Interpret welding blueprints
- Operate oxyacetylene equipment
- Operate shielded metal arc welding equipment
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott, AZ 86301
- Phone: 928-717-7777
- Website: https://www.yc.edu
#10East Valley Institute of Technology
About the School
East Valley Institute of Technology provides a variety of programs at its Main Campus and Power Campus.
Adult and high school programs are available.
Courses Offered
East Valley Institute of Technology offers a Welding Technologies program that trains students in the skills needed to build a career in metal fabrication and welding.
The program focuses on hands-on instruction and covers skills such as:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
The program also covers blueprint reading, weldment testing, and safety procedures.
The facility is an AWS-accredited testing facility.
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 W Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Phone: 480-461-4000
- Website: https://www.evit.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Arizona
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$39K
|
|
|
$58K
|
|
|
$82K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Arizona
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 60 | $56,950 | $27.38 | $80,870 | $38,750 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 130 | $51,390 | $24.71 | $70,080 | $36,340 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 5,670 | $59,110 | $28.42 | $83,110 | $42,750 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | 210 | $55,070 | $26.47 | $75,890 | $41,910 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 60 | $64,660 | $31.09 | $116,890 | $38,750 |
| Tucson, AZ | 780 | $55,400 | $26.63 | $75,340 | $40,020 |
| Yuma, AZ | 140 | $50,090 | $24.08 | $67,780 | $37,580 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to safely join pieces of metal together can lead to a fulfilling career.
Before being ready to apply for your first job as a welder, you have to become equipped with the technical skills required for this profession.
These skills can be learned through a combination of classroom and hands-on training.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Arizona, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
