This page compiles information about the best welding schools in New Mexico.
The institutions included in our list can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field through a combination of classroom and hands-on training.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Mexico welders reportedly earned $43,230 on average, as of May 2023.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to learn the skills needed for entry into this profession and earn a certificate, diploma, or degree in welding.
Although the curriculum varies depending on the school and the credential you want to obtain, most schools focus on teaching the following skills:
- Shop math
- Materials used in welding
- Welding symbols
- Pipe welding
- Welding processes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW
- Welding safety
- Quality testing
- And more
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school and the credential you want to obtain.
If this profession sounds like a good fit for you, we invite you to read our list and choose the training format that best meets your needs.
#1Dona Ana Community College
About the School
The fourth-largest higher education institution in New Mexico, Dona Ana Community College, offers 42 associate degrees and more than 50 certificates in Career and Technical Education and General Education as part of the NMSU system.
The college also provides a Workforce and Community Engagement department that provides community and career education.
Courses Offered
A Welding Technology program is available through the college’s Advanced Technologies department.
The program leads to a certificate and is nationally accredited by the American Welding Society.
Classes are taught by nationally qualified instructors.
The instructors have extensive welding experience, numerous welding certifications, including SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, and SAW, and extensive experience teaching welding technology skills.
The program is also one of a handful of programs nationwide that has an orbital TIG unit that allows students to join tubing as small as one-quarter inch in diameter.
Contact Information
- Address: 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Phone: (575) 527-7500
- Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu
#2Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College has a centrally located campus.
The campus is a short distance away from the historic crossroads at Broadway and Central.
The community college offers about 80 programs that lead to a degree/certificate.
Courses Offered
The Welding program at Central New Mexico Community College leads to a degree or certificate and helps students pursue work as welders, cutters, solderers, or brazers.
The program provides students with the hands-on training and technical knowledge needed to succeed in this in-demand field.
Students enrolled in the Welding program gain valuable skills in blueprint reading, mathematics, metallurgy, and more.
The program blends independent and collaborative learning that ensures students are well prepared for entry-level positions in a variety of industrial careers.
Students have the chance to participate in SkillsUSA, a respected state-level competition.
CNM has a 61,000-square-foot Trades Facility that provides expanded classroom and lab spaces for the Welding program and other Career Technical Education programs.
The Welding program prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, providing a pathway to further study in related fields.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Buena Vista Dr. SE (Billing), Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
- Website: https://www.cnm.edu
#3The University of New Mexico- Gallup
About the School
The University of New Mexico- Gallup offers a Welding Technology program that prepares students for employment in this field.
The program can be completed in three terms at UNM-Gallup.
Students receive the help needed to become job-ready.
They are equipped with hands-on experience in metallurgy, blueprint reading, and math.
Graduates are ready for the American Welding Society certification.
Courses Offered
The following program options are available:
- Certificate in Welding Technology- 30 credits consisting of courses such as:
- Blueprint Reading
- NCCER Basic Safety
- Arc Welding I
- Advanced Arc Welding
- Oxyacetylene Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- General Welding Applications
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Welding Tech AAS- a program that also includes 15 credits of general education requirements
Contact Information
- Address: 705 Gurley Ave. Gallup, NM 87301, USA
- Phone: (505) 863-7500
- Website: https://www.gallup.unm.edu
#4Eastern New Mexico University- Roswell
About the School
Eastern New Mexico University- Roswell offers a Welding Technology program that teaches students how to weld different thicknesses of steel as well as aluminum, sanitary stainless steel tubing, and copper.
The university offers a Basic Certificate of Employability in Welding Technology.
After earning a Basic Certificate, students can continue from the Basic to the Advanced Certificate of Employability in Welding Technology.
The Basic Certificate covers the basic fundamentals of welding and cutting processes, in addition to print reading skills for the welding field, in seven courses.
The Advanced Certificate required seven more courses to complete.
The final certification in the program is the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
A full-time student can expect to complete this degree in about two and a half years.
Students who graduate with the Advanced Certificate and the Associate Degree are considered to be Entry Level I Welders.
The A.A.S. program has the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Shielded Metal Arc, Gas Metal Arc, and the Gas Tungsten Arc processes by practicing hands-on skills.
- Display hands-on skills with Oxy-Acetylene, Plasma, and Carbon Arc gouging and cutting methods.
- Demonstrate and understand basic print reading, layout, shop math, and calculations.
- Apply critical thinking skills toward welding, fabrication, and pipe fitting.
Contact Information
- Address: 52 University Blvd. Roswell, NM 88203
- Phone: 800-243-6687
- Website: https://www.roswell.enmu.edu
#5Clovis Community College
About the School
Clovis Community College offers high-quality education, training, and lifelong learning opportunities.
The college offers degrees, certificates, and extended learning opportunities.
Clovis Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Welding program at Clovis Community College emphasizes layout and design in accordance with the American Welding Society.
Welding topics include:
- Welding Safety and Health
- SMAW, GMAW, GTAW welding
- Weld inspection and testing
- Oxy-Fuel Gas cutting principles and practices
- Plasma Arc cutting principles and practices
- Welding metallurgy
- Pipe welding, layout, and fabrication
- Structural welding fabrication
Contact Information
- Address: 417 Schepps Blvd. Clovis, New Mexico 88101
- Phone: 575.769.2811
- Website: https://www.clovis.edu
#6Santa Fe Community College
About the School
Santa Fe Community College offers a Welding program that prepares students for work as welders on pipelines, engine parts, heavy equipment, manufacturing, and small and large-scale construction.
The welding classes available at the college cover the basics, from safety and quality to testing methods.
Students focus on:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Tungsten Gas Arc Welding
- Oxy Acetylene Welding and Cutting
- Allied processes
They are taught how to weld in SFCC’s state-of-the-art Trades and Advanced Technology Center.
The coursework covers the welding basics of the American Welding Society standards in both classroom and laboratory work.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Welding Technology, A.A.S.
- Welding, Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
- Phone: 505-428-1000
- Website: https://www.sfcc.edu
#7San Juan College
About the School
San Juan College offers a Welding Degree A.A.S. program that helps students prepare for a successful career in welding.
The two-year program prepares them to work in industries from oil and gas to shipbuilding and manufacturing.
The classes teach students the theory and practical applications of welding on plate and pipe in all positions using SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW processes.
During the courses, students:
- Develop speaking, writing, math, and science skills
- Train to meet national codes for safety and quality
- Read blueprints
- Practice using tools and testing
- Complete projects using print and welding codes
The curriculum includes:
- Print Reading for Welders
- SMAW
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Layout and Fabrication
- Pipe Welding
- Metallurgy
- Pipe Welding Code
- Pipe Fabrication and Layout
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402
- Phone: (505) 326-3311
- Website: https://www.sanjuancollege.edu
#8Northern New Mexico College
About the School
Northern New Mexico College offers a Welding Technology pathway that includes hands-on training in welding and metal fabrication techniques.
The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the welding industry through practical instruction in a variety of welding processes, thermal cutting, fabrication, and print reading.
Students gain real-world experience working with industry-standard tools, equipment, and safety practices.
They can earn a Certificate in Welding Technology that provides them with the foundational skills needed to begin a career in welding or pursue further training.
Courses Offered
The Certificate in Welding Technology covers instruction and hands-on practice in key welding areas, such as:
- Welding Fundamentals and Shop Safety
- Welding, Print Reading, and Layout Techniques
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Thermal Cutting Processes
- Pipe Welding Fundamentals
- Fabrication Projects and Techniques
Contact Information
- Address: 921 N. Paseo de Oñate, Española, NM 87532
- Phone: (505) 747-2100
- Website: https://nnmc.edu
#9Luna Community College
About the School
Luna Community College offers small classes and a friendly faculty to help students reach their goals while also having fun.
Tuition is $51 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology- CERT program prepares students with entry-level job skills in many phases of the welding industry.
The program is also designed to provide upgrading for those out in the field who need to acquire additional skills.
Micro-credentialing is also available through the American Welders Society Certifications.
The program learning outcomes include:
- Perform welds using various processes on different joint types and in all positions
- Be able to interpret blueprints
- Be able to assess the quality of welds based on visual inspection and other criteria
- Gain foundational knowledge and skills in metal fabrication techniques
- Be proficient in oxy-fuel cutting and plasma arc cutting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 366 Luna Drive, Las Vegas, NM 87701
- Phone: 888-379-2258
- Website: https://luna.edu
#10Western New Mexico University
About the School
Western New Mexico University offers a Welding Technology program that uses the National Center for Construction Education & Research curricula, standardized to meet industry standards.
Students who take a course in the Welding Technology program will automatically be entered into the National Registry after completion of an approved form from NCCER.
Courses Offered
The core requirements include:
- Oxyacetylene Welding
- General Welding Applications
- Basic Safety, Hand & Power Tools
- Metal Cutting Processes
- Rigging and Metal Properties
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Tig Welding
- Carbon & Stainless Steel Pipe Welding
- FCAW Plate & Pipe
- And more
In total, students need 77 credit hours for an Associate in Applied Science degree.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 680 Silver City, NM 88062
- Phone: 800-872-9668
- Website: https://wnmu.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in New Mexico
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$35K
|
|
|
$60K
|
|
|
$91K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in New Mexico
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 540 | $52,100 | $25.05 | $86,810 | $35,880 |
| Farmington, NM | 460 | $58,920 | $28.33 | $91,820 | $36,550 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 90 | $50,320 | $24.19 | $77,430 | $31,220 |
* 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 in construction or manufacturing fields.
Before being ready to apply for your first job as a welder, you have to become equipped with the technical skills and knowledge required for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding schools in New Mexico, it’s time to decide if this is the path you want to pursue and which program best fits your needs.
