If you want to become a welder in North Carolina, we invite you to start by doing research on this profession and deciding if it’s the right path for you.
Before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to 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
- Welding processes
- Welding safety
- And more
Most programs teach, hands-on, 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.
To help you choose the format that best meets your learning style, we have compiled a selection of the best welding schools in North Carolina and the programs they offer.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1PIT Instruction and Training
About the School
PIT Instruction and Training offers Welding and Fabrication classes as well as American Welding Society welder testing via its PIT Weld U program.
The state-licensed courses are designed to fit the individual who wants to start a career within the welding and fabrication industry.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Pit Weld U- 100- a course that focuses on basic metal cutting and fabrication techniques, as well as MIG and TIG welding disciplines in mild steel and aluminum applications on flat bar and tubing.
- Pit Weld U- 150- an industrial MIG class introducing students to safety, proper setup, and operation to be used with the gas metal arc welding process, flux core arc welding, and proper setup of oxy-fuel torch, vertical band saw, and horizontal band saw cutting systems.
- Pit Weld U- 200- designed for individuals who are looking to learn the ins and outs of stick welding, advanced torch cutting methods, and more
- Pit Weld U- 300- a fabrication class focused on educating students on the equipment used in metalworking shops
- Pit Weld U- 400- welding techniques that apply to pipe applications
- Pit Weld U- 500- a course on the basic symbols and specifications used in welding
- Pit Weld- 600- students receive a comprehensive overview of the tasks and responsibilities required for a robotic welding technician using Arc Tool Robotics.
Contact Information
- Address: 133 Byers Creek Rd. Suite C, Mooresville, NC 28117
- Phone: 704-799-3869
- Website: https://www.visitpit.co
#2Coastal Carolina Community College
About the School
Coastal Carolina Community College offers programs in academic fields that lead to degrees, diplomas, certificates, and workforce training.
Degree programs, workforce training, and continuing education programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at Coastal Carolina Community College provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metalworking industry.
The instruction includes:
- Math
- Print reading
- Metallurgy
- Welding inspection
- Destructive and non-destructive testing
Students develop industry-standard skills through classroom training and practical application.
Coastal Carolina Community College offers a Diploma and three Certificates:
- Diploma program- a program that includes 39 semester hours
- Structural Welder Certificate- a 12-semester-hour program
- Combination Welder Certificate- a 12-semester-hour program
- Certified Welder Certificate- an 18-semester-hour program
Contact Information
- Address: 444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
- Phone: (910) 455-1221
- Website: https://coastalcarolina.edu
#3Central Carolina Community College
About the School
Central Carolina Community College offers a Welding Technology program that includes the following career paths:
- Welding Technology Degree- a program that provides students with an advanced understanding of blueprint reading, weld inspection and testing, welding fabrication, automated welding and cutting, and more
- Welding Diploma- a program that provides students with an advanced understanding of blueprint reading, weld inspection and testing, welding fabrication, automated welding and cutting, and more
- Welding Certificate- a program that provides students with a basic understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment
- Robotic Welding Certificate- a program that provides students with an understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for robotic welding and automated cutting operations
The total cost is $215.25 per credit hour and includes tuition, student activity fee, accident insurance fees, technology fee, CAPS fee, and ceremony fee.
Contact Information
- Address: 764 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312-8822
- Phone: (919) 542-6495
- Website: https://www.cccc.edu
#4PITT Community College
About the School
PITT Community College opened in 1978 a Welding Technology Department.
The college offers a Welding Technology A.A.S. degree that focuses on preparing graduates to compete with seasoned professionals in the welding industry.
The program prepares students with the skills in SMAW welding, GMAW welding, GTAW, and robotic welding.
Students who complete the program are prepared to certify through AWS and ASME in all processes in multiple base metals, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, in both pipe and plate.
Full-time students complete the program in as few as four semesters.
Welding classes are offered on campus to allow students to gain hands-on training using cutting-edge welding techniques, SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Cutting Processes
- Industrial Safety
- Math Measurement & Literacy
- SMAW Plate/Pipe
- Blueprint Reading: Mechanical
- Symbols and Specifications
- Inspection and Testing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2064 Warren Drive, Winterville, NC 28590
- Phone: 252-493-7200
- Website: https://pittcc.edu
#5Wake Tech
About the School
Wake Tech offers a Welding Technology program that teaches students the science and technical skills behind welding.
This is a hands-on course that helps students develop practical welding skills that can be used to pursue employment and career opportunities:
- Mig
- Tig
- Stick
- Pipe
- Orbit welding
- Cutting processes
- Testing and inspection
- Fabrication
- Symbols and specifications
- Welding inspection
- Destructive and non-destructive testing
The coursework also includes math, reading blueprints, and metallurgy.
Scholarships are available from the American Welding Society and through the Wake Tech Foundation for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Phone: 919-866-5000
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
#6Johnston Community College
About the School
Johnston Community College offers a Welding Technology program that equips students with a solid grasp of the science, technology, and practical skills needed for a successful career in the welding industry.
Degree and diploma options are available.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux-Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Johnston Community College is an American Welding Society-accredited testing facility offering welder qualification testing for American Welding Society certification.
The following degrees and pathways are available:
- Welding Technology Degree
- Stick Welding Certificate
- Welding Technology Diploma
- Tungsten Inert Gas Welding Certificate
- Basic Welding Certificate
- Fabrication Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 245 College Road, PO Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577
- Phone: (919) 934-3051
- Website: https://www.johnstoncc.edu
#7Forsyth Tech Community College
About the School
Forsyth Tech Community College offers a Welding Technology program.
According to the college’s website, this is one of the five programs in the state that is an ATF-accredited testing facility.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Welding Technology Associate Degree in Applied Science- a two-year program
- Welding Technology Certificate- a program that can be completed in 1-2 semesters
- Welding Technology Diploma- a one-year program
The AAS program includes courses in fabrication, metallurgy, inspection, welding techniques, safety, blueprint reading, welding codes, and quality control.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Cutting Processes
- Symbols and Specifications
- Mathematical Measurement and Literacy
- SMAW Plate/Pipe
- GMAW FCAW/Plate
- GTAW Plate/Pipe
- Welding Metallurgy
- Fabrication
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Phone: 336.723.0371
- Website: https://www.forsythtech.edu
#8Fayetteville Technical Community College
About the School
Fayetteville Technical Community College offers more than 300 academic awards, including associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across nine subject areas.
FTCC also offers economic and workforce development courses through corporate and continuing education programs.
Courses Offered
Fayetteville Technical Community College offers an Engineering & Applied Technology Welding Technology program.
The program covers:
- The science and technology of welding theory
- Practical application for successful employment in the welding and welding fabrication industry
The coursework includes:
- The latest in welding technology
- Robotic MIG welding
- Courses in print reading
- Safety procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Lafayette Hall, Room 148-A, 2201 Hull Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: 910-678-8460
- Website: https://www.faytechcc.edu
#9Gaston College
About the School
Gaston College offers a variety of programs of study, including a wide range of Industrial and Transportation training paths.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at Gaston College trains students for a rewarding job.
The program gives practical, working knowledge of the science, different kinds of technology, and safety procedures students need to find the job they are looking for.
Students may earn a Certificate and Diploma, and prepare with the hands-on experience and qualifications for many entry-level welding positions in a wide range of metalworking industries.
No previous experience or high school diploma is needed to start and take classes at Gaston College.
The following options are available:
- Welding Technology Diploma
- Welding Technology- Fundamentals I Certificate
- Welding Technology- Fundamentals II Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Highway U.S. 321 S, Dallas, NC 28034
- Phone: 704.922.6200
- Website: https://www.gaston.edu
#10Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
About the School
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute offers a variety of fast-track training programs, including a Welding Technology path.
In-state tuition is $76 per credit hour.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program provides training in the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metalworking industry.
The following program types are available: certificate, degree, and diploma.
Several educational options are provided in this area:
- Associate Degree (A.A.S.): Welding Technology
- Diploma: Welding Technology
- Welding Certificate: Welding Technology
The courses may include destructive and non-destructive testing, math, metallurgy, print reading, and welding inspection.
Contact Information
- Address: 2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638
- Phone: 828.726.2200
- Website: https://cccti.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in North Carolina
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$70K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in North Carolina
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 330 | $55,070 | $26.47 | $71,050 | $40,960 |
| Burlington, NC | 150 | $52,350 | $25.17 | $65,580 | $40,440 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,720 | $57,400 | $27.60 | $76,890 | $41,200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 300 | $55,270 | $26.57 | $73,260 | $40,390 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 130 | $58,030 | $27.90 | $77,640 | $36,500 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 120 | $46,230 | $22.23 | $59,550 | $37,720 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,200 | $52,910 | $25.44 | $68,330 | $38,720 |
| Greenville, NC | 270 | $57,400 | $27.60 | $71,070 | $44,020 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 430 | $49,300 | $23.70 | $63,960 | $36,860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 30 | $52,930 | $25.45 | $64,820 | $36,330 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,100 | $55,730 | $26.79 | $70,500 | $40,640 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 290 | $53,160 | $25.56 | $61,180 | $39,100 |
| Wilmington, NC | 280 | $50,720 | $24.39 | $64,590 | $36,310 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 1,310 | $50,380 | $24.22 | $66,400 | $38,870 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Skilled welders have plenty of employment opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and other in-demand industries.
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 you with the real-world skills needed for this profession.
Now that you have read our list, we encourage you to apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
