South Dakota is home to many trade schools that can prepare you for a new career in less than two years, through a combination of hands-on and classroom training.
Welding is one of the most sought-after skills that you can learn without spending four years in higher education.
The mean wage reported by South Dakota welders was $42,560 on average, as of May 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This profession is projected to grow 2 percent over the next decade, with 45,600 new jobs projected across the US.
Despite the limited job growth, good welders will continue to be needed in order to repair or replace aging infrastructure throughout the nation.
Their skills will also be in demand in manufacturing plants, although automation may limit employment prospects in this industry.
Before being ready to apply for your first welding job, you have to learn how to:
- Read blueprints
- Interpret welding symbols
- Perform different types of welding joints
- Perform different welding techniques
- Follow safety procedures
- And more
Most programs teach, hands-on, the following processes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, and plasma cutting.
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 South Dakota and the programs they offer.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Southeast Technical College
About the School
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 career-focused pathways that give students the opportunity to learn by doing from day one.
Students train in real-world environments with real tools, gaining hands-on experience that leads to jobs right after graduation.
Courses Offered
The Welding program at Southeast Technical College is a one-year diploma program that includes 33 credits.
The program teaches students how to use a fusion process to join metal parts.
Students gain experience in tasks such as:
- Reading blueprints, weld symbols, and welding procedures
- Setting up and maintaining welding equipment
- Identifying and preventing weld defects
- Selecting the right welding processes for each application
Students develop expertise in:
- Cutting safety and procedures
- Base and filler material selection
- Blueprint interpretation
- Flux core arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Plasma arc cutting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 605-367-7624
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
#2Western Dakota Technical College
About the School
Western Dakota Technical College offers a variety of degree programs that prepare students for in-demand industries, including:
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel Technology
- Electrical Trades
- Plumbing Technology
- Technical Studies
- Welding and Fabrication
- And more
Courses Offered
The Welding and Fabrication program available at Western Dakota Technical College prepares students for a career in the welding and fabrication fields.
The program includes 66 credits and can be completed in 18 months.
Students receive training in processes most commonly used by industry in the region.
They can choose a nine-month Diploma option that includes training in basic welding and fabrication skills or a 20-month Associate of Applied Science Degree option that includes basic and advanced training.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Mickelson Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone: (605) 718-2565
- Website: https://www.wdt.edu
#3Lake Area Technical College
About the School
Lake Area Technical College offers 31 academic programs in high-demand fields.
The college also offers 14 e-degrees that blend online and on-campus learning.
Courses Offered
The college features a welding technology program that offers an apprenticeship that allows students to earn an A.A.S. and a paycheck at the same time.
You must successfully complete Lake Area Tech’s Welding nine-month diploma option before being eligible for this program.
To qualify for admission to this program, you must complete the following requirements:
- Be a minimum of 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be a US citizen, have permanent residency status, or possess a work visa
- Meet admission requirements and satisfy the sponsor’s minimum requirements
- Have a valid driver’s license for programs that require it
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 Arrow Ave. Watertown, SD 57201
- Phone: 605-882-5284
- Website: https://www.lakeareatech.edu
#4Great Plains Welding Academy
About the School
Great Plains Welding Academy is a customized training facility located in the heart of the Black Hills.
The academy offers a three-hour camp that includes:
- Introduction to Welding
- Learn basics and processes
- Put what you learn to work in the booth.
Courses Offered
The Great Plains Welding Academy also offers an Accelerated Welding program that can be completed in 12 weeks or less.
This program includes no general education courses, and it offers 90% shop time and in-field experience.
The student-to-teacher ratio is kept small to give students the opportunity to enjoy personalized attention and hands-on learning.
Students gain insights into safety, blueprints, work ethic, and industry tours.
Contact Information
- Address: 420 Creek Drive, Unit B. Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone: 605-510-8000
- Website: https://greatplainsweldingacademy.com
#5Career and Technical Education Academy
About the School
Career and Technical Education Academy offers a Welding and Manufacturing program.
The academy offers two welding programs: Welding 1 and Welding 2.
Welding 2 students improve work and safety skills taught in Welding I.
They learn how to make and use workable plans for school and personal projects and improve out-of-position skills with SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW.
Students also become proficient in the use of the plasma cutter and wire feed welding processes.
The program prepares trainees for Advanced Welding by giving them the opportunity to accomplish pre-hiring paperwork.
The Advanced Welding technology program exposes students to gas tungsten arc welding, gouging, blueprint reading, and heavy-duty welding applications for large-scale welding projects.
Students shadow a professional in the field to understand the physical attributes of the career, and are eligible to participate in a field experience.
Contact Information
- Address: 4700 W. Career Circle, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: (605) 367-5504
- Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us
#6Williston State College
About the School
Located in neighboring North Dakota, Williston State College offers a Welding Technology program.
The program offers three different degree types:
- Associate in Applied Science
- Program Certificate
- Certificate of Completion
The programs are designed to equip students with the technical skills and knowledge required for successful careers in the welding industry.
Courses Offered
The curriculum and the number of credits needed for completing this program vary depending on the credential you want to pursue, but the program requirements include:
- Blueprint Reading for Welder
- Introduction to Welding Lab
- Welding Theory & Safety for Semi-Automatic Processes
- Wire Feed & Welding Certification Lab
- Layout & Pattern Making Basics
- Welding Theory, Technology, & Safety
- SMAW Welding Lab
- Metal Fabrication Lab
Contact Information
- Address: 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND 58801, USA
- Phone: 701.774.4200
- Website: https://willistonstate.edu
#7Bismarck State College
About the School
Bismarck State College offers a one-year Welding program that provides students with basic skills for an entry-level job or apprenticeship program.
Students spend time in BSC’s modern, well-equipped lab where they practice different techniques:
- Oxyacetylene
- Gas tungsten arc
- Flux-cored arc
- Shielded metal arc
- Gas metal arc
During shield metal arc welding training, students develop skills to pass the Certified Welder test of the American Welding Society.
The following degree plans are available at the college:
- Welding Associate of Applied Science
- Welding Diploma
- Welding Program Certificate
The Diploma program includes courses such as:
- OFC Operations
- PAC and CAC Operations
- Blueprint Reading for Welders
- SMAW Operations
- Welding Principles
- Methods in GTAW
- Advanced methods in GTAW
- Blueprint Symbols in Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Pipe Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506, USA
- Phone: 701.224.5400
- Website: https://catalog.bismarckstate.edu
#8United Tribes Technical Colleg
United Tribes Technical College offers a range of programs and degrees, and small class sizes.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at United Tribes Technical College gives students the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art welding shop.
Students use the school’s Virtual Reality Simulators.
The simulator gives them the opportunity to learn and practice proper body positions, gun and rod angles and positions, travel speeds, and overall welding techniques in an eco-friendly manner.
Graduates have skills in gas metal arc, short circuit transfer, spray transfer, metalcore arc welding, oxy-acetylene, braze welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, and shielded metal arc welding.
After completing the Welding Technology certificate program, students may be eligible to become AWS Certified.
Graduates will:
- Practice industry-standard safety procedures
- Perform welds to industry standards
- Communicate using effective welding terminology
Contact Information
- Address: 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504
- Phone: 701.255.3285
- Website: https://uttc.edu
#9Lynnes Welding Training
About the School
Lynnes Welding Training offers short-term programs, full and part-time classes that provide students with hands-on welding experience from day one.
Students enrolled in this program can earn up to 12 welder qualifications.
A majority of the training day is spent in a booth, gaining actual welding experience.
Skill courses are 3 to 5 weeks long.
Students may also learn multiple processes to become combination welders in 12 to 16 weeks.
Lynnes Welding Training is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses are available in Fargo, Bismarck, and New Hope.
The student-to-instructor ratio is 15 to 1.
Contact Information
- Address: 2717 3rd Ave North, Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: 701-373-0658
- Website: https://learntoweld.com
#10University of North Dakota
About the School
The University of North Dakota offers a Welder Technician program that provides an intensive overview of skills relating to welding techniques.
Tuition for this program is $2,245.
Students have access to the program for 12 months.
The program covers a variety of topics, from the basic principles of metal cutting and rigging to safety guidelines and manufacturing management.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Welding Safety, Processes and Applications
- Troubleshooting
- Inspection Methods
- Metallurgy
- Rigging
- Fabrication Processes
Students have access to five video-based simulation labs for virtual hands-on experience.
Enrolled students are invited to attend the exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions.
Contact Information
- Address: O’Kelly Hall Room 300, 221 Centennial Dr Stop 9021, Grand Forks, ND 58202 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.und.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in South Dakota
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$49K
|
|
|
$61K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in South Dakota
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 170 | $50,780 | $24.41 | $67,400 | $37,070 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 880 | $51,530 | $24.77 | $65,070 | $39,160 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Skilled welders will continue to be needed in a variety of industries, so gaining a certificate, diploma, or degree in this field can be the first step towards a rewarding career.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in South Dakota, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
Take your time and make an informed decision.
