Welcome to our selection of the best welding schools in the state of Louisiana.
The institutions included in our list can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field through a combination of classroom education and hands-on training.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana welders reportedly earned $59,690 on average, as of May 2023, higher than the national average for this profession.
Salaries vary depending on many factors and increase as workers gain more experience.
Experienced welders can earn more than $80,000 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:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- Types of welding joints performed in pipe welding
- Welding Processes
- Welding Safety
- And more
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW.
Students also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, including those offered by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and the American Welding Society.
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.
#1Central Louisiana Technical Community College
About the School
Central Louisiana Technical Community College has six campus locations: Alexandria Main Campus, Ferriday, Huey P. Long, MacArthur extension campus, Road Brady, Ward H. Nash Avoyelles.
The college provides:
- Academic and Career & Technical Programs
- Workforce Short-Term Training
- Adult education
Courses Offered
The Welding program consists of comprehensive welding classes available in Alexandria, Ferriday, Winnfield, Jena, and Cottonport.
Students engage in hands-on training in state-of-the-art welding labs.
They study four different welding processes, safety practices, and blueprint reading.
The available credentials a student may earn include:
- Technical Diploma
- Certificate of Technical Studies
- Career and Technical Certificate
The following exit points are available:
- Thermal Cutter
- Tack Welder/Fitter Helper
- Welding I
- Arc Welder- GTAW
- Arc Welder- GMAW
- Arc Welder- FCAW
- Arc Welder- SMAW
Contact Information
- Address: 516 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: 318-487-5970
- Website: https://www.cltcc.edu
#2South Louisiana Community College
About the School
South Louisiana Community College is a community-centered institution that provides a wide range of educational programs designed to serve as pathways for professional success.
The college currently offers more than 50 programs, leading to associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, South Louisiana Community College offers a Welding program that helps students master real-world skills in a hands-on environment.
Students learn various processes and techniques, including:
- Oxyfuel cutting
- Carbon arc cutting
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Plasma arc cutting
- Blueprint reading
- And more
The following degrees are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in Welding- a four-semester program
- Technical Diploma in Welding- a three-semester program
Tuition and fees sum up to $249.96 per credit hour.
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
- Phone: 337.521.9000
- Website: https://www.solacc.edu
#3Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
About the School
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College provides a variety of educational programs at its four campuses: Minden, Camp Minden, Shreveport, and Mansfield.
The college is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Courses Offered
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College offers a Welding program that provides instruction in various welding processes and techniques, including:
- Oxyfuel cutting
- Carbon arc cutting
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
- Pipe welding
- Plasma arc cutting
- Oil and gas welding
- Blueprint reading
- And more
The curriculum includes:
- Industrial Workplace Safety
- SMAW Basic Bead
- SMAW Fillet Weld
- GTAW Basic Multi-Joint
- GTAW Aluminum Multi-Joint or Special Project
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 943 Oxford Rd, Mansfield, LA 71052
- Phone: 318-872-2243
- Website: https://www.nltcc.edu
#4Precision Weld Testing & Training
About the School
Precision Weld Testing & Training provides a variety of non-destructive examination testing methods.
The following welder training courses are available at the school:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding- Beginner
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding- Advanced
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- Beginner
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- Advanced
Prices range from $1,610 to $2,645, depending on the program.
Students get hands-on training through interactive workshops.
The welding program is designed as a combination of hands-on welding experience and classroom theory.
Classes are held Tuesday/Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.
A high school diploma or GED is not required to take this course.
Classroom and shop materials are included in the tuition cost.
Contact Information
- Address: 6309 Industrial Dr, Geismar, LA 70734
- Phone: (225) 744-7103
- Website: https://precisionwtt.com
#5Louisiana Delta Community College
About the School
Louisiana Delta Community College offers multiple paths towards higher education, career, and personal fulfillment.
Among many other career paths, the college offers a Structural Welding program that leads to a Technical Diploma.
The program is designed to provide students with the skills needed for different welding processes required in the welding industry.
Courses Offered
The programs include the following outcomes:
- Identify appropriate safety tools, equipment, and procedures for SMAW processes
- Read and interpret welding drawings
- Identify the codes, standards, and agencies regulating the welding industry
- Safety, setup, and operations of Oxyfuel Cutting, proper handling of equipment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 7500 Millhaven Road, Monroe, LA 71203
- Phone: 318.345.9000
- Website: https://www.ladelta.edu
#6River Parishes Community College
About the School
River Parishes Community College offers welding classes in River Parishes.
The comprehensive classes available at the college are designed for individuals who are looking to jumpstart their careers in one of the most in-demand skilled trades.
Students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, including those certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and the American Welding Society.
The curriculum is aligned with National Center for Construction Education and Research modules and the American Welding Society guidelines.
Students learn:
- Welding safety and workplace preparation
- Understanding weld quality and metallurgy
- Proficiency in welding processes such as SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW
- Welding techniques for both plate and pipe welding
- Reading and interpreting technical blueprints
Contact Information
- Address: 925 West Edenborne Parkway, Gonzales, LA 70737
- Phone: (225) 743-8500
- Website: https://www.rpcc.edu
#7Fletcher Technical Community College
About the School
Fletcher Technical Community College offers a Welding program that provides students with an understanding of various welding processes and techniques of welding, including:
- Welding safety
- Oxyfuel cutting
- Carbon arc cutting
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas Tungsten arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
- Pipe welding
- And more
The program reviews the necessary skills designed by the American Welding Society and prepares students for the AWS entry-level test.
The following degree program options are available at the community college:
- 3G 4G SMAW Welder
- SMAW Pipe Welder
- 3G 4G FCAW Welder
- FCAW Pipe Welder
- Tig Pipe Welder
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1407 Highway 311, Schriever, LA 70395
- Phone: 985.448.7900
- Website: https://www.fletcher.edu
#8ABC Pelican Craft Training
About the School
ABC Pelican Craft Training offers a welding program.
The program is available at its Baton Rouge Training Center.
The hands-on training program follows the standards set by AWS.
Students learn from certified welders with real-world industrial experience.
The gain real skills in a state-of-the-art welding shop.
The program is divided into three levels:
- SMAW Plate
- SMAW Pipe
- GTAW Pipe
It is a self-paced program, so students advance as they master each level- not on a set schedule.
On average, students complete the full program in 4-6 semesters.
Contact Information
- Address: 19251 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA
- Phone: 225.752.0088
- Website: https://www.abctraining.org
#9Northshore Technical Community College
About the School
Northshore Technical Community College provides quality workforce training and transfer opportunities by awarding associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college offers open campus- welding dual enrollment.
Course materials and activities are hosted through NCCERconnect.
The course goes through the NCCER Welding Level One book online.
It includes:
- Reading materials for each module in the Level One Book
- A concept check section
- A trade term section for each module
- And review the questions section for each module.
A Welding program is also available at Florida Parishes Campus, Hammond Area Campus, Lacombe Campus, Livingston Campus, Rayburn Correctional Center, and Sullivan Campus.
The Welding program curriculum includes the following courses:
- Occupational Orientation and Safety
- Blueprint, Metal, and Welding Symbols
- Oxyfuel Systems
- SMAW- Basic Beads
- SMAW- Fillet Weld
- FCAW- Basic Fillet Welds
- GTAW- Basic Multi-Joint
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 65556 Centerpoint Blvd. Lacombe, LA 70445
- Phone: 985-545-1500
- Website: https://www.northshorecollege.edu
#10University of Louisiana Lafayette
About the School
The University of Louisiana Lafayette offers a Welder Technician program available fully online.
This program costs $2,795 with tools included and can be completed in 12 months.
The course is an intensive overview of skills relating to welding techniques, from the basic principles of metal cutting and rigging to safety guidelines and manufacturing management.
Courses Offered
The program includes:
- Welding safety, processes, and applications
- Troubleshooting
- Inspection methods
- Metallurgy
- Rigging
- Fabrication processes
The syllabus covers:
- Grinding processes
- Grinding Safety
- Safety for Assembly
- Basic Measurement
- Blueprint Reading
- Process Flow Charting
- Introduction to Physical Properties
- Safety for Metal Cutting
- And more
The program costs $2,995 with tools included.
Contact Information
- Address: 1606 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careerpathways.louisiana.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Louisiana
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$41K
|
|
|
$62K
|
|
|
$83K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Louisiana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 200 | $59,390 | $28.55 | $78,080 | $39,350 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 3,910 | $73,060 | $35.12 | $101,240 | $47,970 |
| Hammond, LA | 90 | $57,660 | $27.72 | $75,110 | $43,520 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 1,440 | $54,190 | $26.05 | $64,870 | $36,400 |
| Lafayette, LA | 1,390 | $55,700 | $26.78 | $75,610 | $41,410 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 900 | $64,710 | $31.11 | $88,120 | $47,850 |
| Monroe, LA | 260 | $53,410 | $25.68 | $72,140 | $42,610 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,470 | $62,840 | $30.21 | $82,330 | $45,620 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 630 | $55,310 | $26.59 | $77,250 | $38,290 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 300 | $55,880 | $26.87 | $73,060 | $29,730 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Skilled welders will continue to be needed in the future to help rebuild the nation’s aging infrastructure.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, although automation may limit their job prospects in the manufacturing field, welding skills will also be needed in this industry.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Louisiana, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
