Welcome to our selection of the best welding schools in the state of Indiana.
Although job descriptions vary depending on the industry and the employer, as a welder, you will typically spend your workday joining metals using a variety of techniques and processes.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Indiana earn $49,330 on average, as of May 2023.
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 this profession.
During their training, students typically learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding Symbols
- Bevel two pieces of metal properly for a welding application
- 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 and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Salt Lake Community College
About the School
Salt Lake Community College offers a Welding, Fabrication and Inspection program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science.
The program prepares students to be competent in layout, fabrication inspection, fitting, cutting, and forming metals, and determining electrodes/wire and filler metals required by industry.
The welding program also provides training in a variety of welding processes and joint designs, including:
- OAW- all position oxyacetylene welding, cutting
- PAC- Plasma Arc Cutting
- CAC- Carbon Arc Cutting
- GMAW- all position short circuiting, transfer, and spray transfer techniques
- GTAW- all position welding of ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- FCAW- flux cored arc welding
- SAW- submerged arc welding
- Blueprint reading, fabrication, and layout
- Operation of shears, rolls, drills, and brakes
Courses Offered
The following required courses are included in the program:
- Math for Welders
- Elementary Physics
- Manual Machining
- Fundamentals of Welding
- Welding Processes and Quality
- Blueprint for Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4600 South Redwood Road Salt Lake City, UT 84123
- Phone: 801-957-7522
- Website: https://catalog.slcc.edu
#2Calumet Welding Center
About the School
Calumet Welding Center offers training and certifications for the welding industry.
The center serves the training and testing needs of the public and various local companies in the welding industry.
Fast result programs are only three to seven months long.
Training programs work at the pace of each individual.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the center:
- Pipe and Plate Welding- Four Processes- a 1050-clock-hour program
- Four Processes- Plate Welding- a 525 clock hour program
- SMAW & GMAW Welding- a 350-clock-hour program
- Continued Education- SMAW Pipe Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 1947 N Griffith Blvd. Griffith, IN 46319
- Phone: (219) 923-9353
- Website: https://calumetweldingcenter.com
#3Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech offers a variety of real-world training programs that prepare students for hands-on careers.
The Welding program available at the college has five courses for welding fundamentals, basic and shielded arc welding, and MIG and TIG welding processes, followed by three courses for pipe welding and fabrication processes.
Students prepare to complete pre-qualification tests for construction, structural, or pipe-related projects.
They also qualify to test for Level One certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
Courses Offered
The Welding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe program is available at Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis.
This program includes 960 instructional hours and can be completed in approximately 42 weeks.
Core courses include:
- Welding and Cutting Fundamentals
- SMAW Welding Procedures
- GMAW Welding Procedures
- FCAW Welding Procedures
- GTAW Welding Procedures
- SMAW Pipe Welding
- GMAW Pipe Welding
- GMAW/GTAW Fabrication Process
Contact Information
- Address: 7225 Winton Drive, Building 128, Indianapolis, IN 46268
- Phone: (317) 632-5553
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
#4Ivy Tech Community College
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College offers an AWS Gas Metal Arc Welding Certification Preparation program.
This hands-on training course prepares students for certification in Gas Metal Arc Welding, equipping them with the technical skills and safety knowledge needed for successful careers in welding.
Participants learn how to operate constant voltage and wire feed welding equipment, perform welds using both short circuit and spray transfer methods, and work with flux-core tubular wires.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- How to apply proper safety procedures and protocols specific to Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Describe the principles of constant voltage and wire feed welding processes
- Operate GMAW equipment
- Perform welds using flux-core tubular wires
- Conducting routine maintenance on GMAW equipment to ensure safe and effective operation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 815 E 60th Street, Anderson, IN 46013
- Phone: (888) IVY-LINE (489-5463)
- Website: https://www.ivytech.edu
#5Vincennes University
About the School
Vincennes University offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students for employment in the welding field.
Classes meet in person five days a week for four hours per day.
Students learn how to use and operate common welding equipment and tools in a safe and efficient manner.
They develop the skills needed to perform welds that comply with A.W.S. standards.
The facility has new welding stations with new Lincoln Electric multi-process welding equipment.
The topics covered by the prg include:
- TMCAD software and features
- Torchmate table operations
- Cut quality and settings
- Users of Torchmate products
- And more
Graduates have the opportunity to transfer to a bacclaureate program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1002 North First Street, Vincennes, Indiana 47591
- Phone: 800-742-9198
- Website: https://www.vinu.edu
#6Fortis Colleges and Institutes
About the School
Fortis Colleges and Institutes offer Welding Technology programs designed to train men and women and prepare them with the skills they need to enter the field of welding as industrial welders, welding apprentices, or check welders.
The curriculum balances traditional classroom instruction and hands-on training.
In the classroom, students learn the math they need for welding calculations, understand welding symbols, and learn how to read and interpret print designs.
The classes are kept small, and students get to practice a lot, so they gain the knowledge and skills they need before pursuing an entry-level position in the field.
The program is available at several locations, including Cincinnati, Ohio, Smyrna, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, Houston South, Texas, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Students learn a variety of methods of destructive and non-destructive testing used in welding, and how to identify a quality weld.
The classes are taught by experienced faculty.
Contact Information
- Address: 9001 N. Wesleyan Rd. Suite 101 Indianapolis, IN 46268
- Phone: (317) 808-4800
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
#7Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center
About the School
Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center is an innovative center that delivers advanced career and technical education, workforce development, and training for the southwest Indiana region.
High school students can receive classroom and hands-on training in 20 diverse areas of study using the latest emerging technologies and equipment.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program available at the center offers a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on lab experiences that prepare students with a wide range of skills aligned with the American Welding Society entry-level guidelines and certifications.
Students also get to refine their mathematical skills in geometry, precision measurement, and estimation.
The following dual credits are available:
- Ivy Tech Community College:
- Welding Fundamentals
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
The following certifications are available:
- AWS- American Welding Society
- OSHA 10 Safety Certification
Contact Information
- Address: 1901 Lynch Rd., Evansville, IN 47711
- Phone: 812-435-8438
- Website: https://sictc.evscschools.com
#8Greater Lafayette Career Academy
About the School
Greater Lafayette Career Academy offers a Welding Technology program that includes classroom and laboratory experiences designed to develop a variety of skills in oxy-fuel cutting and basic welding.
OSHA standards and guidelines endorsed by the American Welding Society are used.
Process theory includes basic electricity, power sources, electrode selection, and all aspects of equipment operation and maintenance.
Laboratory welds are performed in basic weld joints with a variety of electrodes in the flat, horizontal, and vertical positions.
The program also covers short-arc and spray-arc transfer methods.
The following Ivy Tech Dual College credits are available:
- Oxy-Acetylene Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 S. 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47909
- Phone: (765) 807-8530
- Website: https://www.glcareeracademy.com
#9Plumber and Steamfitters Local 157 Training Center
About the School
Plumber and Steamfitters Local 157 Training Center provides hands-on training that prepares students for a lifelong career.
The Weld Training part available at the center aims to prepare top-tier professionals with the skills required by today’s piping industries.
The program covers all major welding techniques, including:
- Shield Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Automatic Welding Processes
UA certifications are available in various welding disciplines, enhancing employability and value to the school’s signatory contractors.
Beyond welding, the program also covers training in layout, design, construction, and installation of piping systems.
Apprentices develop the ability to produce detailed drawings and fabricate piping to precise specifications.
Contact Information
- Address: 8707 East Milner Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803
- Phone: 812.877.1736
- Website: https://www.157trainingcenter.org
#10Area 31 Career Center
About the School
Area 31 Career Center offers a Welding program for students in grades 11 and 12.
9 dual credits are available through Ivy Tech Community College:
- Welding Fundamentals- a three-credit course
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding I- a three-credit course
- Gas Metal Arc Welding- a three-credit course
Students become proficient in a variety of welding processes, including SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
They also study industry standards in safety, blueprint reading, fabrication techniques, and welding procedures.
Students earn American Welding Society welding certifications upon successful skills testing.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214
- Phone: (317) 988-7230
- Website: https://www.area31careercenter.com
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Indiana
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$37K
|
|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$70K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Indiana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 40 | $52,240 | $25.12 | $78,120 | $36,090 |
| Columbus, IN | 260 | $48,970 | $23.54 | $65,470 | $35,030 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 1,770 | $56,100 | $26.97 | $78,090 | $37,970 |
| Evansville, IN | 380 | $57,370 | $27.58 | $82,810 | $37,620 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 870 | $52,420 | $25.20 | $64,400 | $38,610 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 2,290 | $53,170 | $25.56 | $69,830 | $38,720 |
| Kokomo, IN | 90 | $56,420 | $27.13 | $80,090 | $37,350 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 400 | $51,580 | $24.80 | $61,610 | $36,530 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 190 | $54,240 | $26.08 | $76,370 | $38,930 |
| Muncie, IN | 210 | $50,750 | $24.40 | $65,570 | $37,620 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 420 | $50,600 | $24.33 | $63,820 | $37,070 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 310 | $48,160 | $23.15 | $65,340 | $36,050 |
* 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.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Indiana, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
