If you live in Kansas and you want to become a welder, this page is designed to provide you with an introduction to the best welding schools in your state.
As a welder, you will be responsible for joining metal parts using hand-held or remotely controlled equipment.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by welders in Kansas was $42,680 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
The schools included in our list cover a variety of welding skills, including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and SMAW welding.
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school, the type of degree or diploma you want to obtain, and the format you choose.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Heartland Welding Academy
About the School
Heartland Welding Academy offers a program that teaches the welding skills needed to start a career in less than six months.
The program is designed by experienced professionals in the power, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries.
Classes are five days a week.
Day and night classes are available.
90 percent of the program consists of hands-on learning.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Pipe & Structural Code Welding- a 24-week program that includes 720 hours of training
- Structural Code Welding- a 12-week program that includes 360 hours of training
The following core welding skills are taught:
- MIG welding
- TIG welding
- FCAW welding
- SMAW welding
Contact Information
- Address: 656 N Andover Rd, Andover, KS 67002
- Phone: 316-776-5246
- Website: https://www.heartlandweldingacademy.com
#2Washburn Tech University
About the School
Washburn Tech University offers one of the most affordable ways to get the quality training students need for a career they want.
Federal aid is available for post-secondary students.
The university works with business and industry partners to prepare the next generation of workers.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at Washburn Tech prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills when bonding and cutting metal parts.
The instruction is formal and self-paced and includes:
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Cutting processes
The course also emphasizes quality assurance and control, print reading, safety, and workplace skills.
Students begin by pursuing a Cert A of 25-credit-hours, or may continue to earn a Cert C that is 49 credits.
Students who attend a half-day schedule can complete a Cert A in two semesters.
After completing Cert C, students are eligible to complete an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, Kansas 66604
- Phone: 785.670.2200
- Website: https://www.washburntech.edu
#3Crider's Institute
About the School
Crider’s Institute offers welding training in Kansas City and the surrounding areas.
The school trains students to be top-notch certified welders and equips them with the marketing skills needed for a rewarding career.
Students can receive their certification in as little as four months by enrolling in the 16-week course or a pipe welding certification in 24 weeks.
Flexible schedule options and tuition assistance are available.
The programs consist of 20 percent of classroom and 80 percent of hands-on learning.
Students become certified in pipe, stainless steel, and aluminum welding.
Courses Offered
The Master Pipe Welding Class includes the following topics:
- Oxy-fuel and Arc Cutting
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Basic
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Advanced
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Basic
- Pipe Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Advanced
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Fabrication Layout and Blueprint Reading
Contact Information
- Address: 300 NW Jefferson, Grain Valley, MO 64029
- Phone: (816) 992-4046
- Website: https://www.cridersinstitute.com
#4WSU Tech
About the School
WSU Tech offers a Welding program that prepares students for a rewarding career by helping them gain skills in cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding.
Students are also exposed to oxy-acetylene cutting and welding.
The program includes classroom and lab instruction in safety, blueprint reading, and sketching, tools and materials, machine adjustments and rod selection, weld testing and qualifications, and fabrication and layout of various welding projects.
Students can obtain a Certificate of Completion in as little as 12 weeks, a Technical Certificate in as little as one year, or an Associate in Applied Science in two years.
Courses Offered
Students in the Welding Technology program earn OSHA 10 certification and AWS qualifications in GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW.
Students need 61 credit hours for an Associate of Applied Science, 17 credits for a Technical Certificate Level I, and 39 credits for a Technical Certificate Level II.
WSU Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Contact Information
- Address: WSU Tech South, 3821 E. Harry
- Phone: 316-677-9680
- Website: https://wsutech.edu
#5Manhattan Tech
About the School
Manhattan Tech offers the hands-on training needed for a new career.
The college offers a diverse array of programs and pathways to guide students toward their goals.
Courses Offered
The Welding Tech program at Manhattan Tech includes instruction in arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and nonferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, safety, applicable codes and standards, and more.
The following degrees are available:
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificate B- a credential that focuses on hands-on learning with various types of welding equipment and techniques
- Certificate A- a credential that provides targeted training for experienced welders aiming to enhance their skills
Total costs sum up to approximately $9,500 for a Certificate A, to approximately $21,000 for a Certificate B, and to approximately $26,000 for an AAS.
Contact Information
- Address: 3136 Dickens Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503
- Phone: (785) 587-2800
- Website: https://manhattantech.edu
#6Metropolitan Community College
About the School
Metropolitan Community College offers more than 120 degrees and certificates grouped into eight Academic and Career Pathways.
The college’s in-district tuition is about 1/3 the cost of a typical four-year school.
Nearly half of MCC students qualify for scholarships and grants.
Courses Offered
The Welding program available at Metropolitan Community College teaches students how to set up and operate welding equipment and how to use manual welding and thermal-cutting equipment to weld or cut metal components.
The programs prepare students for AWS level 1 and level 2 certifications.
Day and evening classes are small.
The college has dedicated industry-experienced instructors who provide students with personal instruction.
The following degrees/certificates are available:
- Degree: Welding Technology & Management
- Certificate: GMAW
- Certificate: GMAW/GTAW
- Certificate: Welding Construction
Contact Information
- Address: 3200 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
- Phone: 816.604.1000
- Website: https://mcckc.edu
#7Kansas City Kansas Community College
About the School
Kansas City, Kansas Community College offers Welding Technology Certificates that take between five and 12 months to complete.
The program is designed to teach specific skills such as:
- Blueprint reading
- Metallurgy
- Oxy-acetylene and semi-automatic cutting
- Brazing
- Industry standard welding processes in a standard set of positions
Students learn welding processes that prepare them to work with cast iron, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and alloy metals.
The following courses are required for a Certificate A:
- Welding Safety and OSHA 10
- Welding Blueprints
- Cutting Processes
- GMAW
- Advanced GMAW
- Welding Codes and Advanced Inspection
- Obtaining Employment
Those seeking a Certificate B take classes on:
- GTAW
- SMAW
- Advanced GTAW
- Advanced SMAW
Contact Information
- Address: 7250 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66112
- Phone: 913-334-1100
- Website: https://www.kckcc.edu
#8T & L Welding Academy
T & L Welding Academy offers affordable, hands-on training with over 25 years of expert experience and great learning opportunities.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the academy:
- Fast Track
- Combination Welding
- Welding Fundamentals
- High School Welding Trade Program
The Combination Welding program teaches students skills such as:
- The processes and safety issues involved in the usage of various welding gases
- The skills needed to weld
- Four processes of welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Four processes of setup and configuration of various welding equipment
Contact Information
- Address: 5893 Raytown Rd. Ste 101 Raytown, Missouri 64133
- Phone: 866-439-3412
- Website: https://www.tandlweldingacademy.com
#9Salina Tech
About the School
Salina Tech’s Welding Technology programs prepare students for careers as welding professionals in a wide range of fields.
The program uses a blend of class time and hands-on project work.
Students learn both theory and practice, so they are prepared for employment after graduation.
The following program options are available:
- Technical Certificate- a nine-month program that costs $9,050
- Associate Degree- a two-year program that costs $12,905.
Students learn about:
- Methods and problems of production and exchange
- Identify quality welding design and workmanship
- The ability to select, care for, and use industrial products wisely
- Competency in basic welding fundamentals
- Materials and processes commonly used in welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2562 Centennial Road, Salina, KS 67401
- Phone: 785-309-3100
- Website: https://salinatech.edu
#10Highland Community College
About the School
Highland Community College offers a Welding Technology program that teaches arc welding processes while giving students the opportunity to work with carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Students in the Welding Technology program spend over 80 percent of their time in the welding shop.
They also have the opportunity to train on a Virtual Reality welding simulator.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Welding Safety/ OSHA 10
- Cutting Processes
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding I and II
- Gas Metal Arc Welding I and II
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I and II
- Blueprint Reading I and II
Contact Information
- Address: 606 W Main, Highland, KS 66035
- Phone: 785.442.6000
- Website: https://highlandcc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Kansas
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$37K
|
|
|
$52K
|
|
|
$67K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Kansas
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 100 | $51,100 | $24.57 | $60,320 | $38,050 |
| Manhattan, KS | 190 | $48,170 | $23.16 | $60,930 | $38,190 |
| Topeka, KS | 350 | $51,540 | $24.78 | $63,420 | $38,350 |
| Wichita, KS | 1,660 | $55,100 | $26.49 | $76,670 | $37,920 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career that combines technical hands-on skills and creativity, the welding profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Kansas, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
Take your time and choose wisely!
