If you live in Missouri and you want to learn the skills needed for a welding career, 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 reading blueprints and safely joining metal parts using hand-held or remotely controlled equipment.
Learning the skills needed in order to be able to do this can lead to a rewarding career.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by welders in Missouri was $49,820 as of May 2023.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to complete a training program and earn the certifications employers are looking for.
You will learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- Preparing 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 of the best welding schools in Missouri and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Ranken Technical College
About the School
Ranken Technical College is a top-tier manufacturing school designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the manufacturing fields.
The program focuses on hands-on training, and the college has strong relationships with major employers.
Courses Offered
The Fabrication and Welding program at Ranken Technical College provides a variety of work options across different industries.
The program is available at Ranken St. Louis, Ranken Central, MO, and Ranken Southeast.
The day school program leads to a Certificate of Technology
Evening school programs lead to a Certificate in Fabrication Welding Technology
The one-year certificate teaches students the essential welding processes they need to get the job they want.
Students learn:
- Blueprint Reading and Quality Inspection
- Welding Fabrication
- Equipment Technology
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Structural Fabrication
Contact Information
- Address: 4431 Finney Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113
- Phone: (314) 371-0236
- Website: https://ranken.edu
#2Missouri Welding Institute
About the School
Founded in 1994, Missouri Welding Institute offers training for the nation’s finest welding craftsmen using a hands-on approach.
Students learn in a family-style environment and receive one-on-one attention.
Courses Offered
The institute offers four hands-on courses and in-depth training to prepare students with all the skills needed to become successful tradesmen:
- Master Pipe Welding & Fitting- a 720-hour course that can be completed in 18 weeks
- Master Structural Welding & Fitting- a 440-hour course that can be completed in 11 weeks
- Advanced Pipe Fitting- a 400-hour course designed to be completed in 10 weeks
- Custom Welding Course- a course that can take between one and 10 weeks to complete
Costs range from $14,900 for the Advanced Pipe Fitting and $25,900 for the Master Pipe Welding & Fitting program.
The Master Pipe Welding & Fitting program contains a core curriculum of the Master Structural Welding and Fitting Course.
After completing the core curriculum, a student has to choose between:
- Field Pipe Welding
- Welding using the GMAW
- FCAW (Flux Core) welding processes
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 North Industrial Parkway, Nevada, MO 64772
- Phone: (417) 566-1446
- Website: https://missouriweldinginstitute.com
#3Crider’s Institute
About the School
Crider’s Institute offers welding training for students in Kansas City and the surrounding areas.
The institute offers a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Students receive certification in four to six months.
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
#4American Welding Academy
About the School
The American Welding Academy is a premier welding school in the United States.
The academy combines world-class welding instructors, business professionals, and dedicated staff to deliver a unique and rigorous training program.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the academy:
- Pipe Welding & Fitting- a 24-week program that costs $25,500
- Fabrication Welding & Fitting- a 12-week program that costs $13,500
The Pipe Welding & Fitting program covers:
- Pipe Welding and Fitting Techniques
- Blueprint Reading and Safety Training
- Job Preparation & Industry Certification Readiness
The Fabrication Welding & Fitting program includes the following skills:
- Structural and Fabrication Welding
- Blueprint Reading and Shop Math
- Job Preparation and Resume Building
Contact Information
- Address: 3 Progress Parkway, Union, Missouri 63084
- Phone: (636) 800-9353
- Website: https://awaweld.com
#5Grand River Welding Institute
About the School
Grand River Welding Institute offers professional welding education.
The Welding Technology program consists of four major welding procedures that prepare students to become certified pipe welders.
Students learn from field-experienced personnel qualified by GRWI’s weld testing and field knowledge experience.
The student/instructor ratio is no more than 12 to 1 in the work training area.
Students have one hour of classroom training and seven hours of hands-on training per day.
They learn critical field safety, basic pipefitting knowledge, and four critical welding procedures used in the field today.
The program includes 800 hours in total.
Classroom and lab time are included in this time frame.
Retesting is also included within the 800 hours; retesting weld coupons have a five-hour time limit.
Students learn the four major welding procedures:
- Structural welding
- GTAW/SMAW Tig root 70s and 7018 stick rod on carbon pipe in three positions
- GTAW TIG welding ER309 stainless steel welding on carbon pipe in three positions
- GTAW TIG welding ER308 welding on 304 stainless pipes in three positions
Contact Information
- Address: 103 North Livingston Street, P.O Box 124, Brookfield, MO 64628
- Phone: (660) 258-9353
- Website: https://www.grandriverweldinginstitute.com
#6T&L
About the School
T&L offers affordable, hands-on training with over 25 years of expert experience, great learning opportunities, and preparation for welding job placements.
The following programs are available at the school:
- Fast-track program
- Combination Welding
- Welding Fundamentals
The Combination Welding program can be completed in just 10 weeks.
Students learn about the four main welding processes: MIG, stick, oxy-fuel, and plasma torch.
They also learn butt joints, lap joints, t joints, and weld grooves.
Students receive an online curriculum, take tests, learn lab safety, and receive proper PPE training.
Tuition is $3,000 for the fast-track program, while the Combination Welding program costs $6,000.
Contact Information
- Address: 5893 Raytown Rd. Ste 101 Raytown, Missouri 64133
- Phone: 866-439-3412
- Website: https://www.tandlweldingacademy.com
#7Iron Eagle Welding Academy
About the School
Iron Eagle Welding Academy is a family-owned school operated by welders, for welders.
Located in rural Stockton, the academy offers a pristine facility built, managed and maintained with the ideology of making a learning environment conducive to the trade and skill of welding.
The property includes a shop complete with individual welding booths.
These include machines for SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW welding, community cutting and plasma torches, as well as materials provided to each student.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the academy:
- Master Pipe Welding- a program that costs $17,900
- Master Manufacturing and Structural Welding- a program that costs $11,500
- Downhill Pipeline- a $6,500 program
- Custom Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 16165 S Hwy 39, Stockton, MO 65785
- Phone: (417) 955-4949
- Website: https://ironeagleweldingacademy.com
#8State Technical College of Missouri
About the School
State Technical College of Missouri is home to more than 50 labs, an automotive bay, an aviation hangar, and more than 40 acres of land dedicated to the school’s heavy equipment operations program.
The college also offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students for rewarding careers.
The Associate in Applied Science program provides a comprehensive education that blends technical skills with communication and problem-solving skills.
The program includes courses in CNC plasma cutting and robotic welding, the latest tools and technologies that shape the future of the industry.
Graduates prepare for careers in manufacturing, fabrication, construction, and maintenance.
In just two years, students will be prepared for certification as American Welding Society SENSE Level I Entry Welders and/or AWS SENSE Level II Advanced Welders.
The school’s state-of-the-art lab features 50 Lincoln welding booths, an industrial-size CNC plasma table, and a robotic welder to ensure students are job-ready.
Contact Information
- Address: One Technology Drive, Linn, MO 65051
- Phone: (573) 897-5000
- Website: https://statetechmo.edu
#9Mineral Area College
About the School
Mineral Area College provides a variety of degree and certificate programs.
Among many other career paths, Mineral Area College offers an Advanced Multi-Process Welding Program that covers:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux-Core Arc Welding
- Gas Shield Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Aluminum Welding
- Cutting & Fabrication
- Welding Foundations
The training follows American Welding Society standards.
Classes are held in the 4,800 square feet William Dickerson Welding Technology Center, located off College Road on Mineral Area College’s Park Hills campus.
The accredited certificate program is a 12-month course that offers welding training in addition to employment skill development.
Students earn college credit in the program and have the opportunity to apply for federal financial aid.
Contact Information
- Address: 5270 Flat River Road, P.O. Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601
- Phone: (573) 431-4593
- Website: https://mineralarea.edu
#10State Fair Community College
About the School
State Fair Community College offers a degree or certificate in welding.
The program includes instruction and hands-on experience in welding labs.
The college’s instructors are certified by the American Welding Society and train students in oxy/acetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and plasma arc cutting.
The following programs are available:
- Skills Certificate in Structural Welding (24 credit hours)i
- Professional Certificate in Pipe Welding (37 credit hours)
- Professional Certificate in Welding Technology (47 credit hours)
- Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology with Emphasis in Welding Technology (68 credit hours)
Contact Information
- Address: 3201 W. 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2188
- Phone: (660) 530-5833
- Website: https://www.sfccmo.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Missouri
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$73K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Missouri
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 140 | $50,490 | $24.27 | $66,070 | $36,310 |
| Columbia, MO | 190 | $50,530 | $24.30 | $58,360 | $38,830 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 360 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $60,210 | $38,310 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 520 | $48,350 | $23.25 | $60,330 | $35,300 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 2,420 | $58,000 | $27.89 | $74,580 | $41,530 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 560 | $57,300 | $27.55 | $63,990 | $45,030 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 3,000 | $53,380 | $25.66 | $69,020 | $37,500 |
| Springfield, MO | 990 | $51,000 | $24.52 | $61,180 | $38,790 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career that combines attention to detail, technical skills, and creativity, the welding profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Missouri, 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!
