If you want to learn a hands-on skill that can be applied in many technical and creative projects, welding is an option worth exploring.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan welders reportedly earned $48,560 on average, as of May 2023.
Salaries range depending on experience level and skills, among other factors, and entry-level welders may earn less than $36,000 while experienced workers earn more than $63,000 annually.
Before being ready to start your welding career, you have to become equipped with a combination of theoretical and hands-on skills.
These can be learned at a trade school or community college, typically in less than two years.
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/Stick
- GTAW/TIG
- GMAW/MIG
- FCAW/Dual Shield
Certificate programs are typically only a few months long, while diploma or associate degree programs take up to two years to complete
To help you choose the format that best meets your learning style, we have compiled a selection of the best welding schools in Michigan and the programs they offer.
#1Industrial Arts Institute
About the School
The Industrial Arts Institute helps students become industrial welders in just 19 weeks.
The employer-based educational model gives students the opportunity to earn welding certifications and qualifications.
IAI takes a hands-on, project-based approach to its welding program.
The fast-track, intensive, structural, and pipe welding program builds useful skills and produces workforce-ready employees.
Courses Offered
The following course offerings are available:
- Basic Welding
- Ornamental Welding
- Comprehensive Industrial Welding
- NCMC- CAD, CAM, & CNC Machining Fast-Track Training
The following high school skilled trades courses are also available:
- Welding & Fabrication: Level I
- Welding & Fabrication: Level II
- CNC Machining
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 241, 20902 Washington Avenue, Onaway MI 49765
- Phone: 989.733.4369
- Website: https://iaiworks.com
#2Southwestern Michigan College
About the School
Southwestern Michigan College offers a 240-acre campus.
The welding program available at the college prepares students for a fulfilling, high-wage welding career in welding technology.
Southern Michigan College offers an associate of applied science as well as a certificate in welding technology.
Students learn basic to advanced welding under the supervision of Certified Welding Inspectors.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the Welding Technology Certificate program:
- Trade Mathematics- Welding
- Basic Welding
- AWS Welder Certification Preparation
- GMAW/MIG Welding
- GTAW/TIG Welding
- SMAW/Stick Welding
- Thermal Cutting Processes
- Welding, Fabrication, and Maintenance Repair
- Metallurgy, Testing, and Inspection
Contact Information
- Address: 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047
- Phone: 800.456.8675
- Website: https://swmich.edu
#3Welding Concepts Training, Inc.
About the School
Welding Concepts Training, Inc. offers full-time day and part-time evening courses.
GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW classes are available at the school.
Courses Offered
The Welding curriculum available at Welding Concepts Training, Inc is designed to meet the industrial demands for welders and is continuously updated to meet specific needs as the trade and its professionals continue to evolve.
The training methods include:
- Lecture/discussion with audio-visual aids
- Demonstration that models appropriate techniques and safety practices
- Supervised individual practice
- Systematic, practical, and written testing
- Video-based training programs, workbooks, and tests on the major welding processes
- Practice material that is all new material
The following courses are available at the school:
- MIG welding
- TIG welding
- Stick welding
Contact Information
- Address: 1825 21st Street, Detroit, MI 48216
- Phone: (313) 550-4735
- Website: https://www.wct-detroit.com
#4Lake Michigan College
About the School
Lake Michigan College offers a Welding program that provides a gateway toward an exciting and hands-on career.
Students enrolled in this program learn how to weld different types of metals using various techniques, from MIG and TIG welding to stick welding.
They gain practical skills in metal fabrication, repair, and construction, and become prepared for a range of industries from automotive to aerospace.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Welding Production Technology Associate in Applied Science
- Welding Production Technology Certificate of Achievement
The Associate in Applied Science degree requires 60 credits for graduation.
The major requirements include:
- Machine Tool Technology
- Manufacturing Technology
- Trade Related Instruction, Industrial Safety
- Welding Production Technology, Fabrication
- Welding Production Technology, SMAW
- Welding Production Technology, GMAW
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
- Phone: 800-252-1562
- Website: https://www.lakemichigancollege.edu
#5Detroit Training Center
About the School
Detroit Training Center offers a training program for Welding Production Workers.
This is a 180-hour training program that helps students acquire the skills needed to enter the Welding Workforce Industry.
Students have access to both lecture-style teachings and hands-on training.
The program provides students with the proper training and certifications to operate equipment related to welding.
Students learn welding from AWS and safety from OSHA.
The MIG Welding Production worker program costs $7,000 if paid in full.
During the program, students earn the following credentials:
- AWS Welding Qualifications
- OSHA 10
- First Aid/CPR License
- Forklift Operator Safety Certification
- MIG Welding Production Worker Certification
Contact Information
- Address: 5151 Loraine Street, Detroit, MI, 48208
- Phone: (313) 221-5876
- Website: https://detroittraining.com
#6Mid Michigan College
Mid Michigan College offers a tuition-free path for in-district students, significant financial assistance for out-of-district students, and an additional $1,000 for students who qualify to cover textbook and transportation costs.
Courses Offered
The Welding program available at Mid Michigan College can be completed in just one year and provides students with the opportunity to also earn Sense Level I certification.
The program has a 100% job placement rate for program graduates.
Welding industry-recognized certifications are available.
The certification content includes:
- Occupational orientation
- Safety and health of welders
- Drawing and welding symbol interpretation
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Thermal cutting processes
- And more
The following pathways are available:
- Welding Training Credential Pathway
- Welding (Pre-Apprentice) Pathway
- Welding Pre-Apprentice (CTE- Designed for High School Students)
Contact Information
- Address: 1375 S. Clare Ave. Harrison, MI 48625
- Phone: (989) 386-6622
- Website: https://midmich.edu
#7Macomb Community College
About the School
Macomb Community College offers programs that put students on a career path filled with endless opportunities.
The college provides the support and resources that help students earn an associate degree, transfer to a four-year school, land an apprenticeship, or fast-track their career with a skills certificate.
Courses Offered
Macomb Community College offers a Welding program that teaches students to safely operate, maintain, and repair a variety of welding equipment.
Students get certifications in one or more techniques:
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Pipe welding
- And/or special testing
The courses include:
- Welding Metallurgy
- Fundamentals of Gas & Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Tungsten Arc Welding
- Pipe Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139
- Phone: 866.Macomb1 – Toll Free
- Website: https://www.macomb.edu
#8Litchfield Regional Training Center
About the School
Litchfield Regional Training Center offers a variety of industrial skills courses, including:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- RX Logix Fundamentals
- Robotics Programming and Operations Advanced
- Robotics Programming & Operations
- Robotics Mechanical
- Robotics Electrical
- Blueprint Reading and GD&T
- And more
The Gas Metal Arc Welding course is an eight-week course that includes 64 hours of training.
The course provides GMAW processes and techniques.
Students learn about safety, use of equipment, power sources, shielded gases, filler metals, welding techniques, troubleshooting, weld defects, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 181 Simpson Drive, Litchfield, Michigan 49252
- Phone: (517) 877-2490 or (517) 437-3200
- Website: https://www.thelrtc.com
#9North Central Michigan College
About the School
North Central Michigan College offers an Associate of Applied Science in welding.
The program is available through the college’s partnership with the Industrial Arts Institute in Onaway.
The program provides comprehensive training in various welding techniques, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
The curriculum is designed to align with industry standards and covers the latest advancements and technologies in the field.
Students gain hands-on experience and get to hone their skills through practical applications, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-world challenges.
Courses Offered
The following program requirements are included:
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Basic Drawing and Composition
- Machine Shop Technology Foundation Level
- Machine Shop Technology
- CAD I
- CAD III
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1515 Howard St., Petoskey, MI 49770
- Phone: 888-298-6605
- Website: https://www.ncmich.edu
#10Ferris State University
About the School
If you want to earn a degree in Welding Engineering, Ferris State University offers a program that is the largest of its kind in the United States.
The Welding Engineering Technology Program is designed to produce plant-level welding engineering technology graduates who are prepared to be involved in the concept, design, and engineering of weldments and the implementation of welding processes.
A Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science is also available at the university with courses such as:
- Welding Processes
- Welding Graphics
- Intermediate Algebra
- Intro to Material Science
- Quality Testing
- Electrical Fundamentals
- And more
To qualify for admission into the AAS program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- 2.75 high school GPA
- Minimum composite score of ACT 19/SAT990, Math Score of ACT 9/ SAT 500, English ACT 14/SAT 450, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- Placement into MATH 115
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 S State Street, Big Rapids, Michigan, USA 49307
- Phone: (231) 591-2000
- Website: https://www.ferris.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Michigan
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$37K
|
|
|
$52K
|
|
|
$72K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Michigan
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 270 | $55,480 | $26.68 | $72,030 | $38,970 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 140 | $51,270 | $24.65 | $62,630 | $38,310 |
| Bay City, MI | 120 | $60,690 | $29.18 | $115,600 | $35,360 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 5,240 | $54,460 | $26.18 | $76,370 | $38,500 |
| Flint, MI | 170 | $50,500 | $24.28 | $68,460 | $36,140 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 2,450 | $50,270 | $24.17 | $62,400 | $37,810 |
| Jackson, MI | 170 | $54,880 | $26.39 | $86,110 | $36,560 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 210 | $53,910 | $25.92 | $67,980 | $40,090 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 360 | $55,650 | $26.75 | $75,520 | $38,290 |
| Midland, MI | 80 | $58,800 | $28.27 | $87,070 | $36,560 |
| Monroe, MI | 200 | $49,140 | $23.62 | $62,320 | $37,110 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 270 | $47,780 | $22.97 | $56,840 | $38,200 |
| Niles, MI | 260 | $51,990 | $24.99 | $62,250 | $38,940 |
| Saginaw, MI | 200 | $52,210 | $25.10 | $74,260 | $36,910 |
| Traverse City, MI | 140 | $52,930 | $25.45 | $70,800 | $36,850 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
As a welder, you will spend most of your workday joining pieces of metal together using a variety of welding techniques.
The schools included in our list are designed to equip students with the real-world skills needed for this profession.
Once you have read our selection, we encourage you to apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
