If you want to become a welder in Wisconsin, this page is for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Wisconsin earned $49,850 per year, on average, as of May 2023.
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 this profession during high school or as a post-secondary program.
During their training, welding students typically learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- 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 of the best welding schools in Wisconsin and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Wisconsin Technical College
About the School
Wisconsin Technical College offers a Welding program that takes one year to complete.
The average annual tuition at the college is approximately $4,600.
The program provides concentrated instruction, primarily through practical experience on various welding techniques.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers the following processes:
- Oxyacetylene welding
- Brazing and cutting
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Plasma arc cutting
- Robotic welding and cutting
The program leads to a technical diploma.
Contact Information
- Address: 4822 Madison Yards Way, N Tower, 5th Flr-WTCS, PO Box 7874, Madison, WI 53707-7874
- Phone: (608) 266-1207
- Website: https://www.wtcsystem.edu
#2Gateway Technical College
About the School
Gateway Technical College offers a Welding technical diploma program that provides students with hands-on training using advanced welding concepts.
Students develop the skills employers look for through hands-on projects, blueprint interpretation, layout, and welding practice.
Classes are offered day and night on the Elkhorn and Racine campuses.
Students earn the Welding/Maintenance & Fabrication technical diploma in their first semester of the Welding program, so they’ll be prepared for an entry-level welding position as they continue their education.
The estimated tuition and fees for this program sum up to $10,000
The program offers 43 credits in total.
Courses Offered
Program courses include:
- Mathematics I/ Applied
- Welding/ Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Welding/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Welding/ Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Metal Fabrication
- Weld Printreading and Fabrication Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3520 – 30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144
- Phone: 800-247-7122
- Website: https://www.gtc.edu
#3Madison Area Technical College
About the School
Madison Area Technical College offers a Welding Technical Diploma that includes 29 credits and can be completed in one year.
The program is available fully in person.
The estimated program cost is $6,550.
Courses Offered
Students in this program:
- Develop welding skills using common manual and semiautomatic arc welding processes.
- Gain skills and knowledge in industrial safety, blueprint reading, metallurgy, basic metal fabrication, and career exploration/employability
- Prepare for all welding positions using a variety of plate and sheet metal.
- Complete welding projects following American Welding Society codes and procedures
- And more
The curriculum includes:
- Interpreting Engineering Drawings
- Oxy Fuel Welding and Thermal Cutting
- Arc Welding Theory
- Basic Arc
- Math for Metal Fabrication
- Safety for Industry
- Welding Occupational Development
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Wright Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704
- Phone: 608.246.6800
- Website: https://madisoncollege.edu
#4Western Technical College
About the School
Western Technical College offers a Welding & Fabrication program that leads to a Technical Diploma.
Students receive comprehensive training that covers both theory and practical aspects of all types of welding, including:
- Shielded metal arc
- Oxy-fuel
- Gas metal arc
- Gas tungsten arc
They also learn about proper use of tools and equipment, safety, and blueprint reading as they practice welding joints in different positions and on various types of metals.
The estimated program cost is $5,200.
Courses Offered
The program has the following outcomes:
- Demonstrate industry-recognized safety practices
- Interpret welding drawings
- Produce shielded metal arc welds
- Produce gas metal arc welds
- Produce flux core welds
- Produce gas tungsten arc welds
- Perform thermal cutting
Contact Information
- Address: 400 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Phone: 608-785-9200
- Website: https://www.westerntc.edu
#5Lakeshore College
About the School
Lakeshore College offers affordable career training and personal development programs.
The Advanced Pipe Welding program provides an opportunity for welders to grow in the pipe welding field.
Welders will weld pipe in the 1G, 2G, 5G, and 6G positions while using the SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW welding processes.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Pipe Welding 1- Flat/Horizontal Positions
- Pipe Welding 2- 5F/5G Positions
- Pipe Welding 3- 6F/6G Positions
- Advanced Pipe Welding Processes
In total, these courses sum to 4 total credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI 53015
- Phone: 888-468-6582
- Website: https://lakeshore.edu
#6Northcentral Technical College
About the School
Northcentral Technical College offers a Welding Technical Diploma program that provides learners with the basic knowledge and skills needed to meet the needs of the welding industry.
Students get to develop skills in:
- Shielded metal arc
- Gas metal arc/pulse arc
- Gas tungsten arc
- Flux-cored arc welding
The program also includes manual and mechanized thermal cutting and gouging.
Welding and print reading skills are applied to fabrication projects, and learners assess quality conformance to common codes.
Students are also introduced to CNC cutting and forming, and robotic welding.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Welding Career Exploration
- Introduction to Welding
- College Mathematics
- Weld Inspection & Testing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, WI 54401
- Phone: 715.675.3331
- Website: https://www.ntc.edu
#7Chippewa Valley Technical College
About the School
Chippewa Valley Technical College offers a Technical Diploma in Welding.
This program allows students to solve problems and work with their hands.
The curriculum combines theory, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences to prepare students to take a welding project from welding prints to final inspection.
The areas explored include:
- Oxyacetylene welding
- Oxyacetylene cutting
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Flux-cored arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
- Robotic welding
- CNC plasma cutting
The following degrees and diplomas are available:
- Manufacturing Quality, Technical Diploma
- Mechanical Design, Associate Degree
- Welding Fabrication, Technical Diploma
- Welder- Fabricator Apprenticeship
Contact Information
- Address: 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701
- Phone: 715-833-6300
- Website: https://www.cvtc.edu
#8Nicolet College
About the School
Nicolet College offers a welding program that gives students the opportunity to become a welder in a year or less.
Students learn through observation and solve problems by doing.
Those who enjoy working with machines and tools and prefer technical and physical tasks may be a right fit for this program.
Courses Offered
The following welding programs are available:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Technical Certificate
- Metal Fabrication Technical Diploma
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Technical Certificate
- Welding Technical Diploma
- Welding/Maintenance & Fabrication Technical Diploma
Contact Information
- Address: 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501
- Phone: 715.365.4410 or 800.544.3039
- Website: https://www.nicoletcollege.edu
#9Mid-State Technical College
About the School
Mid-State Technical College offers a Welding Technical Diploma program designed for students who like designing and building with metal.
The program is available in person during daytime schedules.
Full and part-time options are available.
The program can be completed in one year and includes 27-29 credits.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Industry-recognized safety practices
- Interpret welding drawings
- Produce shielded metal arc welds
- Produce flux core welds
- Produce gas tungsten arc welds
- Perform cutting operations
- And more
Tuition and fees sum up to approximately $6,300.
Contact Information
- Address: 401 N Main StreetAdams, Wisconsin 53910
- Phone: 608.339.3379
- Website: https://www.mstc.edu
#10Waukesha County Technical College
About the School
Waukesha County Technical College offers a 12-credit Apprenticeship that can be completed in two years.
Students receive high-quality, hands-on classroom instruction that complements the on-the-job apprenticeship training.
Those interested in seeking the apprenticeship are responsible for obtaining employment for apprenticeship training.
Courses Offered
The college catalog includes a Welding Apprenticeship available at the campus during the day.
Students learn on state-of-the-art welders and gain valuable hands-on experience in addition to a strong theoretical background.
Program courses include:
- OSHA for Welding Apprentices
- Shop Safety Welding Apprentice
- Welding Apprentice Blueprint Reading
- Apprentice Welding Processes
- Welding Apprentice Metallurgy
- Apprentice Welding Processes
- And more
In total, the courses sum up to 12 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072
- Phone: 262.691.5566
- Website: https://www.wctc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Wisconsin
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$46K
|
|
|
$55K
|
|
|
$64K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Wisconsin
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 980 | $57,190 | $27.50 | $74,960 | $47,570 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 300 | $54,010 | $25.97 | $61,990 | $43,220 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 280 | $56,980 | $27.39 | $65,150 | $47,090 |
| Green Bay, WI | 840 | $55,320 | $26.60 | $64,230 | $46,180 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 480 | $57,580 | $27.68 | $65,070 | $47,100 |
| Kenosha, WI | 290 | $54,690 | $26.29 | $63,460 | $46,970 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 340 | $57,650 | $27.71 | $62,440 | $48,120 |
| Madison, WI | 1,190 | $56,700 | $27.26 | $65,020 | $43,720 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 4,020 | $56,520 | $27.17 | $65,440 | $47,690 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 520 | $56,990 | $27.40 | $63,830 | $46,790 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 440 | $53,990 | $25.96 | $61,150 | $41,530 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 1,040 | $56,070 | $26.96 | $59,210 | $49,690 |
| Wausau, WI | 910 | $54,580 | $26.24 | $61,220 | $47,430 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in Wisconsin, it’s time to continue the research and choose the curriculum that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and choose wisely!
