If you want to start a rewarding career in trades that combine technical skills and creativity, the welding profession is worth exploring.
The mean wage reported by Iowa welders was $49,420, 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 $57,000 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 program that best meets your learning style, we have compiled a selection of the best welding schools in Iowa, the programs they offer, the curriculum, and costs.
#1Iowa Central
About the School
Iowa Central offers a Welding Technology program that is designed to teach fundamental techniques and principles.
The program also provides an overview of related topics such as metallurgy and fabrication, layout, estimating, and repair.
During the first semester, students learn about practicing basic welding techniques.
The second semester provides students with an opportunity to develop additional welding skills and learn advanced welding techniques.
After completing the program, students receive a diploma in Welding Technology.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Welding Technology Fundamentals
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Intro to Welding Blueprint Reading
- Welding Blueprint Reading
- Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Pipe Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
- Phone: 800-362-2793
- Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu
#2Iowa Lakes Community College
About the School
Iowa Lakes Community College offers a Welding Technology Diploma program that provides the technical training and real-world experience needed to become a skilled welder, fabricator, or metalworker in just two terms.
Students train in state-of-the-art welding labs, working with industry-standard equipment and learn from experienced professionals.
The curriculum covers:
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
They also develop expertise in blueprint reading, metal cutting, and fabrication techniques.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
- Introduction to Welding, Safety, and Health of Welders
- Print Reading and Welding Symbol Interpretation
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Applied Math
- Pipe Welding- SMAW/Gas Pipe
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2111 HWY 169 North, Algona, Iowa 50511
- Phone: 800-242-5106
- Website: https://iowalakes.edu
#3Hawkeye Community College
About the School
Hawkeye Community College offers the following welding pathways:
- Production Welder Workforce Certificate- a two-month program
- Welding Certificate- a program that can be completed in four months
- Intermediate Manufacturing Welding Diploma- a seven-month program
- Intermediate Manufacturing Welding Diploma- a nine-month program
- Advanced Manufacturing Welding Diploma- a one-year program
The Production Welder Workforce Certificate includes the following skills:
- Gas metal arc welding
- Fillet welds in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions
- Blueprint reading
Tuition is $227 per credit hour for resident students.
The Intermediate Manufacturing Welding Diploma includes skills such as:
- Gas metal arc welding
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Thermal cutting processes
- Fluxed cored arc welding
- Robotic welding
- Blueprint reading
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, IA 50704-8015
- Phone: 319-296-2320
- Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu
#4Southeastern Community College
About the School
Southeastern Community College offers a Welding program that helps students master welding techniques.
They perfect their skills in MIG, TIG, and stick welding, and become a master of the trade.
The training prioritizes safety, teaching students the importance of protective gear and safe working practices.
Courses Offered
Students take the following courses:
- MIG/TIG/Stick Welding
- Robotic Welding
- Aluminum MIG Welding
- Flux core welding
- Spray Transfer
The following programs are available:
- Two-year programs:
- Advanced Manufacturing Welding Processes Certificate
- Welding AAS Degree
- Programs that can be completed in less than one year:
- Basic Welding Process Certificate
- Advanced Welding Process Certificate
- Welding Diploma
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 West Agency Rd, West Burlington, Iowa 52655
- Phone: (319) 208-5000
- Website: https://www.scciowa.edu
#5Iowa Western Community College
About the School
Iowa Western Community College offers a Welding Certificate program that equips students with fundamental techniques, principles, skills, and expertise to help them thrive in today’s industrial landscape.
The program is designed for aspiring welders who are seeking hands-on training and practical knowledge.
The program prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce as beginning production, maintenance, and job shop welders.
Students are trained in the latest techniques in the fabrication of materials by welding processes.
Those who complete this certificate will earn credit toward completion of the Welding Technology diploma.
Courses Offered
During the first semester, students take the following classes:
- Fundamentals of Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Print Reading and Welding Symbol Interpretation
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Oxy-Acetylene Welding & Brazing
- Introduction to Fabrication
- Technical Math
Contact Information
- Address: 2700 College Rd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Phone: 712-325-3200
- Website: https://www.iwcc.edu
#6Marshalltown Community College
About the School
Marshalltown Community College offers a Welding program that teaches the fundamental skills students need in order to be successful in the workforce.
Students in these programs can expect to learn in a state-of-the-art facility with all the tools needed to become skilled in the welding trades.
Two short-term certificate training courses are also offered:
- Manufacturing Welding Certificate
- Manufacturing Welding Construction Certificate
Courses Offered
The Manufacturing Welding Certificate program includes the following classes:
- Introduction to Welding, Safety & Health of Welders
- Print Reading and Welding Symbol Interpretation
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Short Circuit Transfer
- Thermal Cutting Processes
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
- Phone: 641-752-7106
- Website: https://mcc.iavalley.edu
#7Kirkwood Community College
About the School
Kirkwood Community College offers an Advanced Welding Technologies program that prepares students to become career-ready welders.
Students enrolled in this program can choose to complete a diploma or an Associate of Applied Science degree.
The degree program includes the following skills:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Students are prepared for a SENSE 1 and SENSE 2 level credential from the American Welding Society.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Introduction to Computers
- Welding Blueprint Reading/Pipe
- Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Pipe Welding/SMAW
- Pipe Fitters Math
- AWS Bend Test
- Introduction to Flux Core
- Welding Quality Assurance
- Pipe Welding/SWAW Fixed Horizontal
- Pipe Welding/SMAW Qualification
- Pipe Welding/GMAW
- Pipe Welding/GTAW
- Pipe Welding/Heavy Wall GTAW
Contact Information
- Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
- Phone: 319-398-5411
- Website: https://www.kirkwood.edu
#8Northeast Iowa Community College
About the School
Northeast Iowa Community College offers a Welding program that leads to a Diploma and awards 36 credits.
The program is available at the Peosta campus and can be completed in nine months.
Tuition and fees for this program sum up to approximately $8,600.
This is a Competency-Based Education program.
This flex-paced option allows students to set the pace of their learning.
There are many options available for tuition savings through financial aid and tuition assistance.
Applicants need an official high school diploma, high school equivalency, and/or college transcript.
They also have to complete reading and writing assessments and a math assessment for course placement.
Contact Information
- Address: 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, IA 52132
- Phone: 563.562.3263
- Website: https://www.nicc.edu
#9Northwest Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College offers programs for high school students, undergraduate students, and continuing education students.
The college offers a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
It is located in Sheldon and serves a four-and-a-half-county area: Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Sioux, and half of Cherokee.
Courses Offered
Northwest Iowa Community College offers a Production Welding program designed for students who enjoy using high-tech equipment and want a job in manufacturing or other industries.
The diploma program emphasizes all major welding and cutting processes.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- OSHA/Shop Safety
- Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
- Shielded Metal-Arc Welding
- GMAW
- Pipe Welding
- Advanced GMAW
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201
- Phone: (712) 324-5061
- Website: https://nwicc.edu
#10Indian Hills Community College
About the School
Indian Hills Community College offers programs for students who want to earn an associate’s degree, transfer to a four-year university, or get certified for a skilled trade.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Indian Hills Community College offers a Welding Technology program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Students may earn the following credentials:
- Structural, pipe, and fabrication processes
- Quality assurance
- Industrial safety
- Learn manufacturing principles
- GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and FCAW certifications
Scholarships are available for students who qualify.
They may earn while they learn with a paid internship at a prestigious company.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Phone: (641) 683-5111 or (800) 726-2585
- Website: https://www.indianhills.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Iowa
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$41K
|
|
|
$52K
|
|
|
$61K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Iowa
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 260 | $51,300 | $24.66 | $62,050 | $38,750 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 490 | $51,610 | $24.81 | $61,950 | $39,800 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 1,510 | $49,610 | $23.85 | $61,040 | $39,420 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 890 | $54,600 | $26.25 | $64,740 | $45,460 |
| Dubuque, IA | 310 | $53,540 | $25.74 | $62,920 | $46,820 |
| Iowa City, IA | 100 | $50,700 | $24.38 | $60,820 | $40,860 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 430 | $52,720 | $25.35 | $64,590 | $38,570 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 600 | $50,500 | $24.28 | $59,370 | $45,360 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Iowa and you want to start a career in welding, the schools included in our list can get you employment-ready in less than a year.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Iowa, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your budget, learning style, and career aspirations.
