If you want to start a rewarding career in trades without spending four years in higher education, the welding profession is worth exploring.
Arkansas workers in this profession reportedly earned $46,370 on average, as of May 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to complete technical and on-the-job training that teaches you the skills needed for entry into this profession.
During your training, you will 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
Programs are available for adults and high school students who want to earn dual credit.
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes:
- SMAW/Stick
- GTAW/TIG
- GMAW/MIG
- FCAW/Dual Shield
- Plasma cutting
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the format you choose.
To help you choose the format that best meets your learning style, we have compiled a selection of the best welding schools in Arkansas and the programs they offer.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Arkansas Welding Academy
About the School
Arkansas Welding Academy offers welding education in Arkansas and the surrounding states.
The academy offers comprehensive hands-on courses ranging from stick welding courses, TIG welding courses, and MIG welding courses to advanced instruction in pipe welding training, structural welding training, and carbon steel welding techniques.
Students also gain critical knowledge in blueprint reading for welders, welding safety training, and welding equipment maintenance.
The program focuses on teaching participants to weld and launch their careers in as little as seven months.
The school offers open enrollment and flexible start dates.
The Master Pipe and Structural Welding program combines lecture, discussion, and hands-on lab work to teach students the fundamentals of welding, metallurgy, and rod angles across all welding positions.
Tuition and fees sum up to approximately $18,700.
Contact Information
- Address: 1920 N Redmond Rd, Jacksonville, AR 72076
- Phone: 501-982-9353
- Website: https://www.arkansasweldingacademy.edu
#2United Welding Institute
About the School
The United Welding Institute is the place where the next generation of welders is being trained.
The school owner is an AWS-certified welding inspector.
Every spring, the institute hosts a welding competition for high school seniors.
Those who finish in first to fifth place could be awarded anywhere between $1 to $10,000 in scholarships.
Every single participant is eligible for a $1,000 tuition waiver.
The school offers:
- Morning classes: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Mid-day classes 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- All-day option: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Night classes 6:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Contact Information
- Address: 480 Mountain Base Rd, Pottsville, AR 72858
- Phone: 479-968-3390
- Website: https://www.unitedweldinginstitute.com
#3The Welding Academy of South Arkansas
About the School
The Welding Academy of South Arkansas at SAU Tech offers intensive, hands-on training that prepares students for immediate employment in welding, fabrication, and industrial construction.
Classes are taught by American Welding Society-certified instructors and are designed for students who want to master key welding processes.
The program can be completed in nine months and prepares students for jobs in construction, shipbuilding, pipelines, oil & gas, manufacturing, and more.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Welding Processes
- Structural Welding
- Pipe Welding
- High Frequency & Pipe Welding (Aluminum)
- Capstone
Students also learn essential welding safety and techniques, with hands-on instruction in MIG and Flux-Core Wire Welding.
Contact Information
- Address: 6415 Spellman Road, Camden, AR 71701
- Website: https://www.sautech.edu
#4Arkansas State University Three Rivers
About the School
Arkansas State University Three Rivers offers a welding program that introduces students to basic welding techniques as well as the tools, materials, and equipment used in SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, pipe welding, and metal fabrication.
The program emphasizes the knowledge and skills gained from hands-on activities using different types of metal.
Students prepare for employment in various industries such as construction, fabrication, plant maintenance, the automotive industry, and more.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
- Technical Certificate in Welding Technology
- Certificate of Proficiency in Aluminum Welding
- Certificate of Proficiency in Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Certificate of Proficiency in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Certificate of Proficiency in Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Contact Information
- Address: One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104
- Phone: (501) 337-5000
- Website: https://www.asutr.edu
#5University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech
About the School
University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech offers a welding technical certificate program that is two semesters long.
Students in the first semester take Welding I, which focuses on theory, SMAW welding, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, and an emphasis on completing an AWS vertical certification in SMAW welding.
In the second semester, students take three classes from a choice of:
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Flux core arc welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Two welding classes or
- An approved elective
The following programs of study are available:
- Technical certificate in Welding Technology
- Certificate of Proficiency in Welding Technology
The coursework includes:
- Welding core classes
- Tech Math
- Tech Communications
- Print Reading
- Quality Control
- Manufacturing Processes
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Phone: (501) 812-2200
- Website: https://uaptc.edu
#6South Arkansas College
About the School
South Arkansas College offers a Welding Technology program that covers the skills needed for entry-level placement in the welding industry.
The program leads to a technical certificate.
The curriculum follows American Welding Society education standards for entry-level welders.
Students receive instruction in the practical application of welding techniques as well as the operation and maintenance of related tools in the industry.
They may receive certifications through AWS and NCCER.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- TC- Welding Technology
- CP- SMAW Welding Technology
- CP- GMAW Welding Technology
- CP- GTAW Welding Technology
- CP- Welding Layout & Pipefitting
- CP- Advanced Pipe Welding
- CP- Pipe Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730
- Phone: 870-862-8131
- Website: https://www.southark.edu
#7Northwest Technical Institute
About the School
Northwest Technical Institute offers a Welding Technology program that includes basic skills and knowledge needed in the operation of welding equipment through basic and advanced welding techniques.
Students gain knowledge and performance potential to work in the industrial, commercial, or private sector as entry-level employees.
They learn safety procedures in the operation, care, and maintenance of machinery and instruments related to their vocation.
The program covers topics such as:
- Plasma cutting
- Welding
- Brazing
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
The estimated cost, including in-state tuition, fees, books, and supplies, sums up to $7,800.
The program is two semesters long plus one summer term.
The course curriculum includes:
- Intro to Welding
- Welding Concepts
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Welding Techniques
- Welding Application Lab
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 709 S Old Missouri Road, Springdale, AR 72764
- Phone: (479) 751-8824
- Website: https://www.nwti.edu
#8University of Arkansas Fort Smith
About the School
The University of Arkansas Fort Smith offers a Welding Technology program that equips students with the skills and knowledge required for successful careers in the welding industry.
The curriculum includes both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the field.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in General Welding
- Technical Certificate in Welding
Certificates of Proficiency: short-term, 12-credit-hour certificates designed to target skill development:
- Arc Welding
- MIG Welding
- TIG Welding
- Welding Fabrication and Layout
The Associate of Applied Science in general technology– welding program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.
Contact Information
- Address:5210 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913-3649
- Phone: 479-788-7000
- Website: https://uafs.edu
#9East Arkansas Community College
About the School
East Arkansas Community College offers a Technical Certificate in Welding that is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in welding manufacturing by producing students with welding skills applicable in a number of industrial settings.
The Technical certificate prepares students for a variety of positions, including:
- Aluminum welder
- Fabricator
- Fitter/welder
- Maintenance welder
- Mig welder
- Sub arc operator
The following credentials are available:
- Technical Certificate in Welding Technology- a 31-credit program that costs $3,422
- Certificate in Proficiency in Welding Technology- a nine-credit program
The Technical Certificate program includes:
- Communication Skills
- Welding Principles
- Welding Operations
- Purging, Piping, and Safety
- Reading Blueprints
- Technical Mathematics- or- Higher
- Advanced Welding Principles
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335
- Phone: 870-633-4480
- Website: https://www.eacc.edu
#10Texarkana College
About the School
Texarkana College is a top Texas welding school that offers:
- A two-year associate degree- 60 semester credit hours
- A one-year certificate- 42 semester credit hours
- One-semester award- 11 semester credit hours
The following delivery options are available:
- A blend of face-to-face and online
- A face-to-face format
Students have the following scheduling options: full-time, part-time, day, and night classes.
Courses Offered
The Welding program has the following featured courses:
- Welding Fundamentals
- Introduction to Pipe Welding
- Introduction to Blueprint Reading for Welders
The total cost for full-time Bowie County residents is $7,185.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 North Robison Road, Texarkana, Texas 75599
- Phone: (903) 823-3456
- Website: https://www.texarkanacollege.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Arkansas
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$48K
|
|
|
$63K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Arkansas
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 660 | $48,790 | $23.46 | $63,300 | $35,800 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 470 | $47,480 | $22.83 | $62,950 | $35,580 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 110 | $45,130 | $21.70 | $58,870 | $34,050 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 390 | $49,600 | $23.85 | $59,520 | $38,350 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,310 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $63,640 | $37,120 |
* 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, but 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.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Arkansas, it’s time to decide if this is the path you want to pursue and which program best fits your needs.
