If you want to start a rewarding career in trades without spending four years in higher education, the welding profession is worth exploring.
The mean wage reported by Florida welders was $49,250 on average, as of May 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Welders who have many years of experience in the field can earn more than $64,000 per year, while entry-level welders start by making less than $40,000 annually.
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.
Although the curriculum can vary depending on the program duration and the credential it leads to, welding students typically learn about:
- Shop Math
- Materials used in welding
- 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.
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes:
- SMAW
- GTAW
- GMAW
- FCAW
- 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 Florida and the programs they offer.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Fusion Welding Institute
About the School
Fusion Welding Institute offers the only industrial-focused ASME weld test preparation courses in the southeast.
The school provides real-world, industry-aligned practice and evaluation designed to help welders prepare for and pass ASME code qualification tests.
The facility is open 65 hours a week to accommodate students’ schedules.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the institute:
- Combo Pipe Welder, a course that includes:
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Carbon Arc Gouging
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2930 NE 24th ST, Ocala, FL 34470
- Phone: (352) 651-8973
- Website: https://fusion-weld.com
#2Eastern Florida State College
About the School
Eastern Florida State College offers a Welding Technology Certificate program that leads to a Technical Certificate and prepares students to enter the workforce as certified welders.
The program is available on campus at the Cocoa location.
The curriculum includes 1050 total clock hours and establishes a strong foundation of welding skills and knowledge by providing both the theoretical and practical, hands-on experience needed for competency in the field.
After completing the program, students are qualified for entry-level positions within the trade.
Graduates are also eligible to take the industry-standard American Welding Society certification exam.
The full-time program starts in the Fall Term each year and can be completed in under one year as two, 20-week terms.
Classes run Monday to Thursday.
Contact Information
- Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa Campus, FL 32922
- Phone: 321-632-1111
- Website: https://www.easternflorida.edu
#3Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa Welding School offers hands-on training at its Jacksonville campus.
Classes are available for students pursuing careers in welding, HVAC/R, and electrical work.
Courses Offered
The programs include:
- Professional Welder
- Welding Specialist with Pipefitting
- AOS in Welding Technology
The training focuses on developing practical, job-ready skills through a mix of classroom instruction and lab work.
Students have access to interactive workshop courses and welding booths.
They are trained in structural welding, flux-core welding, and pipe welding in as little as seven months.
Students have access to flexible scheduling.
Contact Information
- Address: 2545 East 11th Street, Tulsa, OK
- Phone: 866- 499 6785
- Website: https://www.tws.edu
#4Southeastern Welding School
About the School
Southeastern Welding School offers training programs that teach students the skills and techniques needed to become successful welders who are ready to work after completing the program.
Students learn to weld with quality, pride, and confidence.
The program teaches the skills needed in many welding industries, including the railroad, fabrication, the shipyard, and many more.
The welding program is priced at $12,400.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Safety and OSHA
- Introduction to Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Testing and Qualification
Contact Information
- Address: 6973 Highway Avenue, Unit 107, Jacksonville, Florida, 32254
- Phone: (904) 781-8701
- Website: https://southeasternweldingschool.com
#5Pasco- Hernando State College
About the School
Pasco- Hernando State College offers a Welding Technology program that provides a sequence of courses with a coherent and rigorous content that follows challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers.
The application fee is $25
The estimated in-state tuition is $3,083.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology Career Certificate covers a variety of skills, including:
- The safe use of equipment, tools, and materials
- How to identify metals
- How to perform acetylene welding and torch cutting
- Metal arc welding
- Flux-Core arc welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654
- Phone: 727-847-2727
- Website: https://phsc.edu
#6Southern Technical College
About the School
Southern Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
The program teaches students welding processes that involve fillet, groove, shielded metal arc, and MIG/TIG components, along with advanced techniques used for pipe welding.
The program can be completed in as few as 18 months.
It consists of hands-on instruction from experienced professionals.
The program offers flexible scheduling.
The program is available at the college’s campuses in Auburndale, Orlando, Sanford, and Tampa.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to Business
- Computer concepts
- Introduction to building construction
- Introduction to welding
- Fillet welding
- Structural welding
- Basic pipe welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 450 Havendale Blvd. Auburndale, FL 33823
- Phone: (863) 551-1112
- Website: https://www.southerntech.edu
#7Okaloosa Technical College
Okaloosa Technical College offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students for careers as structural welders, pipe welders, aluminum welders, and fabricators.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology-Advanced program at Okaloosa Technical College includes:
- Technical skills, proficiency, and competency-based applied learning
- Contribute to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning
- Sharpen problem-solving, work attitudes, technical, and occupational skills
- Knowledge of all aspects of the manufacturing career cluster
Florida resident tuition is $3,066.
Contact Information
- Address: 1976 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547
- Phone: 850-833-3500
- Website: https://www.otcollege.net
#8Seminole State College
About the School
Seminole State College offers fast-track programs, including a Welding Technologies program that prepares students for immediate employment.
The program includes a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills.
The 1,050-hour program is offered at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus.
Courses Offered
The following industry certifications are available:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773
- Phone: 407.708.4722
- Website: https://www.seminolestate.edu
#9North Florida College
About the School
North Florida College offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students for entry into the welding industry.
The content emphasizes the beginning skills that are key to success in working in the welding industry.
The program covers workplace safety and organization, manufacturing processes, metals identification, interpretation of welding symbols, shielded metal arc welding, Carbon Arc Gouging, Flux-Core Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, basic understanding of pipe welding, and more.
Students are able to begin their training either in the fall or spring semesters.
NFC is a member of the Florida College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 325 NW Turner Davis Dr., Madison, FL 32340
- Phone: 850-973-2288 or 866-937-6322
- Website: https://www.nfc.edu
#10Lively Technical College
About the School
Lively Technical College offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students in the basic and necessary advanced skills in the welding field.
The program teaches welding techniques used in the workforce, such as SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
Students also learn different types of oxygen and acetylene cutting and welding techniques, and proper safety precautions.
The program is certified through the American Welding Society.
Students must be 16 years of age or older.
The program includes 1,050 hours of training.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Welder Assistant I- 150 hours
- Welder Assistant II- 150 hours
- Welder, SMAW I- 150 hours
- Welder, SMAW II- 150 hours
- Welder- 450 hours
Florida resident tuition is $3,066.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 N Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304
- Phone: (850) 487-7555
- Website: https://www.livelytech.com
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Florida
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$52K
|
|
|
$68K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Florida
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 560 | $51,730 | $24.87 | $63,340 | $37,960 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 110 | $52,450 | $25.22 | $64,300 | $42,000 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 400 | $48,370 | $23.25 | $61,340 | $36,810 |
| Gainesville, FL | 150 | $48,490 | $23.31 | $63,580 | $36,390 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,300 | $51,940 | $24.97 | $69,480 | $37,220 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 720 | $51,050 | $24.54 | $65,940 | $38,480 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,520 | $56,120 | $26.98 | $73,480 | $39,880 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 190 | $53,930 | $25.93 | $74,140 | $37,050 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 900 | $53,820 | $25.88 | $70,450 | $40,270 |
| Ocala, FL | 430 | $47,910 | $23.03 | $58,920 | $37,930 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2,020 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $66,490 | $38,460 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 630 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $64,900 | $38,200 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 250 | $49,370 | $23.74 | $60,910 | $29,120 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 260 | $51,710 | $24.86 | $65,260 | $38,550 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 390 | $52,050 | $25.03 | $65,110 | $38,450 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 90 | $48,900 | $23.51 | $61,590 | $38,580 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | 90 | $46,240 | $22.23 | $57,810 | $38,750 |
| Sebring, FL | 50 | $48,470 | $23.30 | $58,440 | $36,240 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 160 | $48,340 | $23.24 | $62,110 | $36,560 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 2,370 | $51,110 | $24.57 | $65,200 | $37,990 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | 80 | $45,080 | $21.67 | $55,910 | $40,090 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in your state, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and choose wisely!
