Welcome to our selection of the best welding schools in the state of Nebraska!
Here you will discover information about the skills needed for this profession and the schools that can prepare you for your first job in the field.
As a welder, you will spend your workday joining metals using a variety of techniques and processes.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Nebraska earn $50,840 on average, as of May 2023.
Before being ready to start your welding career, you have to complete a technical and hands-on training program 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
Most programs teach the following processes:
- SMAW/Stick
- GTAW/TIG
- GMAW/MIG
- FCAW/Dual Shield
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the format you choose.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Western Nebraska Community College
About the School
Western Nebraska Community College offers more than 70 degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
The college has several locations: a main campus and the Powerline Construction & Maintenance Lab in Alliance, a campus in Scottsbluff, a main campus and an Aviation Maintenance building in Sidney.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program available at Western Nebraska Community College is offered at the Scottsbluff campus.
It covers the following welding processes:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Oxyacetylene Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
The following award types are offered:
- Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
- Certificate of Applied Science in Welding Technology:
- Basic Welding Certificate
- Advanced Welding Certificate
- Diploma in Welding Technology
Contact Information
- Address: 1750 Sweetwater Ave. Alliance, NE 69301
- Phone: 308.763.2000
- Website: https://www.wncc.edu
#2Southeast Community College
About the School
Southeast Community College offers a wide variety of career paths as well as a robust transfer program that helps students save money as they pursue a four-year degree.
More than 80 programs of study are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program available at Southeast Community College covers the art and science of welding and helps students master welding technologies used in many industries.
The program is available in the college’s state-of-the-art Welding Technology Center.
The new facility is the largest educational training center in the U.S. and will include more than 23,000 square feet of modern training and learning spaces, including 196 welding bays.
Tuition for an A.A.S. degree is approximately $8,250.
Additional fees bring the total cost to approximately $9,860.
Flexible scheduling is available, with both day and evening classes as well as full-time and part-time options.
The following options are available:
- A.A.S.- students need 66 credits
- Diploma- a 34-credit program
- Certificate- a 13-credit program
Contact Information
- Address: 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice, NE 68310-7042
- Phone: 402-228-3468
- Website: https://www.southeast.edu
#3Central Community College
Central Community College offers programs in 25 counties, three campuses, four centers, and online options.
The community college offers 37 career and technical education programs with a focus on degree, diploma, and certificate options that require two years or less to complete.
Courses Offered
A variety of welding workshops are available, ranging from basic to advanced skill levels.
The workshops include lecture and hands-on lab training under the close supervision of a qualified welder.
The programs can be customized to meet an organization’s unique needs and culture.
Welding training is offered on campus, or it can be brought to the organization’s location with a mobile welding lab.
The following courses are available:
- Advanced Robotics and Maintenance
- Basic ERC Robotic Welding
- Basic Kuka Robotic Welding
- Blueprint Reading
- Brazing and Braze Welding
- Cutting
- Gas Metal Arc Basics
- Layout and Assembly
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 1027, 4500 63rd Street, Columbus, NE 68602-1027
- Phone: 402-564-7132
- Website: https://www.cccneb.edu
#4Northeast Community College
About the School
Northeast Community College offers a Welding program that provides hands-on, comprehensive training in modern welding techniques.
The techniques taught include:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
Flexible options are available to match students’ career goals.
Students can choose between a certificate and a diploma.
The 16-week certificate focuses on essential welding skills and is perfect for those who want to enter the workforce quickly.
The two-semester diploma builds on the foundation with advanced training in areas like fabrication, metallurgy, and print reading.
The program includes a diverse range of courses designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills, including:
- Welding Processes
- Metallurgy
- Blueprint Reading
- Destructive & Non-destructive testing
- Welding Procedures and Qualifications
- Fabrication
- Pipe Applications
Contact Information
- Address: 801 East Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, Nebraska 68701
- Phone: (402) 371-2020
- Website: https://northeast.edu
#5Mid-Plains Community College
About the School
Mid-Plains Community College offers more than 50 academic programs at seven convenient campuses.
The college is offering free tuition for all dual credit and early entry courses during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Tuition is $108 per credit hour for Nebraska residents.
Fees bring the total cost for Nebraska residents to $124 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
Mid-Plains Community College offers a Welding Technology program that leads to a diploma or Associate of Applied Science degree for employment opportunities in the welding/machine shop field.
Students may enter at different stages of readiness and progress according to their abilities and efforts.
They will be assessed and evaluated as they complete each measurable performance objective.
After completing the prescribed technical competencies, students are able to perform tasks necessary to be successfully employed at the entry-level or above.
Contact Information
- Address: 1205 East Third St., McCook, NE 69001
- Phone: 308-345-8100
- Website: https://www.mpcc.edu
#6Metropolitan Community College
Metropolitan Community College is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at Metropolitan Community College offers the following degrees and certificates:
- Welding Technology- Associate in Applied Science
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Career Certificate
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Career Certificate
- Pipe Welding Career Certificate
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Career Certificate
The following Certificates of Achievement are also available:
- Welding Technology- Manufacturing
- Welding Technology- Pipe
- Welding Technology- Structural
- Introductory Welding Pathway
The Welding Technology AAS includes 61 credits and courses such as:
- Print Reading for Welders
- Industrial Cutting Processes
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Oxy Acetylene Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Industrial Fabrication Project
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5300 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE 68111
- Phone: 531-622-2272
- Website: https://www.mccneb.edu
#7Omaha Welding Institute
Omaha Welding Institute offers high-quality education and training to aspiring welders, empowering them to build successful careers in the welding industry.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program is designed to prepare students for positions in a variety of trades and the service industry.
The program prepares students for the opportunity to become certified welders under the standards set by the American Welding Society.
Students can receive their certification from the American Welding Society in a variety of processes as part of the instructional program.
The following courses are available:
- Introduction to Welding
- Flux Core and Dual Shield MIG Welding
- Advance TIG Welding
- Advance Pipe Welding
Contact Information
- Address: 3352 N 88th Plaza Omaha, Ne 68134
- Phone: 531-541-0623
- Website: https://www.omahaweldinginstitute.com
#8Steamfitters & Plumbers 464
Steamfitters and Plumbers Local Union 464 is dedicated to the Fundamental Labor principles of providing gainful employment, safe work conditions, fair compensation, and reasonable benefits.
Courses Offered
Steamfitters & Plumbers 464 offers a Lincoln Welding class designed for all members who want basic skills and for members who want to sharpen their skills.
The 24-hour class meets three hours a night for eight weeks.
Students must attend all 24 hours to receive their Continuing Education hours.
There are two classes available, one that starts in September and one in January.
Contact Information
- Address: 3375 Oak View Drive, Omaha, NE 68144
- Phone: 402-333-5859
- Website: https://lu464.org
#9Missouri Welding Institute
Missouri Welding Institute offers an unmatched welding education and a solid foundation for the future.
Courses Offered
The institute provides 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
#10Nebraska City Public Schools
About the School
Nebraska City Public Schools offers a Welding program in partnership with Southeast Community College.
The course is available at Nebraska City High School.
Completing an Introduction to Tech or Welding I program is highly recommended prior to enrolling in the class.
Courses Offered
The course is structured as follows:
- Year One- Semester One- Welding II and completing the OSHA certification
- Year One- Semester Two- Welding II
- Year Two- Semester One- Welding III
- Year Two- Semester Two- Welding III
OSHA certification is required.
Students may earn credit through Southeast Community College.
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 14th Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410
- Phone: 402-873-6033
- Website: https://www.nebcityps.org
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Nebraska
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$39K
|
|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$64K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Nebraska
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 200 | $50,220 | $24.15 | $58,820 | $40,300 |
| Lincoln, NE | 620 | $54,390 | $26.15 | $64,880 | $41,800 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,110 | $53,410 | $25.68 | $64,690 | $41,030 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to safely join pieces of metal together can lead to a fulfilling career, but before being ready to apply for your first job as a welder, you have to become equipped with the technical skills required for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Nebraska, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
