This page compiles information about the best welding schools in Georgia.
The institutions included in our list can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field through a combination of classroom and hands-on training.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia welders reportedly earned $47,430 on average, as of May 2023, but the top 10 percent of welders earn more than $63,000 annually.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to get your high school diploma or equivalent and then 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:
- Shop math
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- Pipe welding
- Welding Processes
- Welding Safety
- And more
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following welding processes:
- SMAW
- GTAW
- GMAW
- FCAW
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the credential you want to obtain.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech offers a welding program in Georgia that helps students become the candidates employers want to hire.
The welding school training highlights include:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Metal fabrication techniques
- Welding plate metal, carbon steel plates, aluminum, and stainless steel
- Welding in horizontal, vertical, and overhead settings
- And more
The school is located in East Point.
The following programs are available:
- Welding and Fabrication Technology
- Welding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 Centre Parkway, East Point, GA 30344
- Phone: (470) 867-0600
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
#2Gwinnett Technical College
About the School
Gwinnett Technical College offers a Welding and Joining Technology program that teaches students how to join metals through coalescence, fill steams and holes of metal components, follow sketches, blueprints, and specifications, how to lay out, fit, and fabricate metal components to assemble structural forms, and more.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Welding and Joining Technology Diploma
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Flux Cored Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Metal Arc Welded Certificate
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder Certificate
- Robotic Welding Operator Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
- Phone: 770-962-7580
- Website: https://gwinnetttech.edu
#3Lanier Technical College
About the School
Lanier Technical College offers a variety of learning paths to fit different student lifestyles.
The college provides a Welding and Joining Technology program designed to prepare students for careers in the welding industry.
The program emphasizes welding theory and practical application necessary for successful employment.
Graduates receive a Welding and Joining Technology credential and have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician.
They are prepared to take qualification tests.
The program is available at the following campuses: Barrow, Dawson, and Hall.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Welding and Joining Technology Diploma
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville, GA 30507
- Phone: 770-533-7000
- Website: https://www.laniertech.edu
#4Georgia Northwestern Technical College
About the School
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offers a Welding and Joining Technology program that combines instruction, hands-on skills development, and related technical college to ensure graduates are successful in a competitive workforce.
The program combines comprehensive instruction in the SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW welding processes.
Students also learn blueprint reading, fabrication processes, pipe welding techniques, and various metal-cutting procedures, among other essential skills.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Welding and Joining Technology Diploma
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Flux Cored Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One Maurice Culberson Drive, Rome, GA 30161
- Phone: 866-983-GNTC (4682)
- Website: https://www.gntc.edu
#5Goodwill of North Georgia
About the School
Goodwill of North Georgia offers a Welding program that helps students get the welding training they need to kick-start their career.
This six to 12-week program prepares students for a career in the welding industry.
The program is designed to give students job-specific, skills-based training and an opportunity to earn industry credentials.
Courses Offered
The following topics are covered in the welding program:
- Welding Safety
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Virtual and Hands-on experience
- Metal Fabrication Procedures
- On-the-job training
- OSHA 30
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 Lawrenceville Hwy, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30033
- Phone: 404-420-9900
- Website: https://goodwillng.org
#6Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute offers a Welding Technology program available at the Welding Trade School in Atlanta.
The program is designed to train individuals for entry into the field of welding as industrial welders, welding apprentices, or check welders.
Courses Offered
The programs have been developed to instruct students in mathematics, welding, and print reading in order to enhance their understanding of the basic requirements for the job.
Students master various welding procedures, their training being tested along the way.
The program is available at the Smyrna location.
Contact Information
- Address: 2140 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna (Atlanta), GA 30080
- Phone: (770) 980-0002
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
#7Oconee Fall Line Technical College
About the School
Oconee Fall Line Technical College offers a Welding and Joining Technology program that prepares students for high-demand careers across diverse industries.
The programs in the welding and joining technology department can be completed in one to five semesters, depending on the credential they lead to.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder Technical Certificates of Credit
- Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder Technical Certificate of Credit
- Flux Cored Arc Welder Technical Certificate of Credit
- Gas Metal Arc Welder Technical Certificate of Credit
- Pipe Welder Technical Certificate of Credit
- Welding and Joining Technology Diploma
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 560 Pinehill Road, Dublin, GA 31021
- Phone: 478-275-6589
- Website: https://oftc.edu
#8Chattahoochee Valley Community College
About the School
Chattahoochee Valley Community College offers a Welding program that prepares students for a high-paying career in the field.
This program is competency-based and includes both theory and hands-on application-based instruction.
It includes instruction in various processes and techniques of welding and cutting different types of materials.
The program includes a paid internship that allows students to receive on-the-job training to prepare them to enter the workforce.
The welding program offers an Associate of Applied Science, a certificate, a short certificate in GMAW, a short certificate in welding technology, and a short certificate in SMAW.
The following certifications are also offered in the welding program:
- MSSC Certified Production Technician
- Lift Truck Certification
- 10-Hour OSHA
- AWS Certification
Contact Information
- Address: 2602 College Drive, Phoenix City, AL 36869
- Phone: (334) 291-4900
- Website: https://www.cv.edu
#9Ogeechee Technical College
About the School
Ogeechee Technical College offers a variety of technical training programs that prepare students for employment.
The programs are designed around the needs of today’s workforce.
Courses Offered
Ogeechee Technical College offers a Welding & Joining Technology program that includes the following credentials:
- Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Metal Arc Welder Certificate
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder Certificate
In-person day and night classes are available.
The Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder certificate program includes the following occupational courses:
- Intro to Welding Technology
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Flat Shielded Metal Arc Weld
Contact Information
- Address: One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd. Statesboro, GA 30458
- Phone: (800) 646-1316
- Website: https://www.ogeecheetech.edu
#10Houston College and Career Academy
About the School
Houston College and Career Academy offers a Welding program that provides students with the opportunity to earn Technical Certificates of Credit in:
- Gas Metal Arc Welder
- Shielded Metal Arc Welder
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
Students in the Welding pathway are dually enrolled with Central Georgia Technical College:
- 12 college credits in year 1
- 11 college credits in year 2
The welding pathway courses include:
- Industry Fundamentals and Occupational Safety
- Introduction to Welding
- Welding I
- Welding II
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 Main Street, Perry, GA 31069
- Phone: (478) 988-6200
- Website: https://hcca.hcbe.net
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Georgia
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$37K
|
|
|
$49K
|
|
|
$64K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Georgia
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 160 | $48,690 | $23.41 | $70,950 | $34,690 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 470 | $48,080 | $23.12 | $57,940 | $37,640 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5,720 | $52,670 | $25.32 | $68,110 | $39,090 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 920 | $50,300 | $24.18 | $69,430 | $36,540 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | 100 | $51,010 | $24.53 | $65,880 | $37,110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 390 | $40,650 | $19.54 | $53,340 | $30,630 |
| Dalton, GA | 210 | $47,200 | $22.69 | $56,800 | $35,910 |
| Gainesville, GA | 970 | $47,290 | $22.74 | $56,690 | $40,430 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | 190 | $49,390 | $23.75 | $62,700 | $36,540 |
| Rome, GA | 230 | $41,170 | $19.79 | $59,610 | $24,180 |
| Savannah, GA | 400 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $71,240 | $38,810 |
| Valdosta, GA | 120 | $43,620 | $20.97 | $55,340 | $33,070 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 160 | $52,200 | $25.10 | $64,670 | $39,150 |
* 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 in construction or manufacturing.
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 schools in Georgia, it’s time to decide if this is the path you want to pursue and which program best fits your needs.
