Here in this article, we have prepared a list of the best welding schools in Arizona, how to become a welder in Arizona, and all the details needed to succeed as a welder in Arizona.
Welding, while lucrative and in demand, is quite simply a job. While many of us interested in welding want to work in the field, there are also many opportunities to learn the craft as a hobby.
MIG welding, also referred to as wire feeding, maybe a widespread technique in steel artwork taught in various art studios across the country.
The state of Arizona is not any different. Do not be concerned if you’re considering a career in the field. There are numerous welding schools and institutions in Arizona.
Arizona is prepared for a boom in the industry with dual enrollment courses and American Welding Society certifications. Visiting one of Arizona’s welding schools means spending a lot of time on primarily practical programs that will teach you the technical skills you’ll need to excel in your craft.
Your welding program will teach technical writing, effective communication, workplace psychology, and other soft skills associated with welding. Welding school may be a combination of theory and practice. The precise mix depends on the agenda, but we’ve checked out a few things that will give you an idea of what’s ahead.
The following article will provide an entire directory of Arizona welding schools and contact information. You’ll also study the various welding careers available, also as basic welding information.
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Table of Contents
Is Welding a Good Career Path in Arizona?
As a welder, you’ll work for a company that pays less per hour but provides consistent hours, job security, and benefits. You’ll also work as an independent contractor, which means different companies can hire you for specific projects.
By 2023, the state is predicted to have 155,000 open jobs. Welding is one of the most in-demand professions among these open positions. Still, many children lack the necessary information to enter this career path.
Welders are highly skilled professionals who concentrate on using heat and pressure to join metal objects together. Their services are critical for new construction and, therefore, the maintenance of some of our state’s most important structures.
Are there Welding Schools in Arizona
- Arizona Western College – IWT
- Ash Fork High School
- GateWay Community College
- Eastern Arizona College
- Yavapai College
- Mesa Community College
- Central Arizona College
- Pima Community College
- Mohave Community College
- Northland Pioneer College
- Arizona Automotive Institute
- The Refrigeration School
- Vocational Training Institute
- East Valley Institute of Technology
- Mountain Institute
- American Contractors Academy
- West-MEC
- Camp Verde High School – Agriculture Welding
- Maricopa Skill Center
- Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
How to Become a Certified Welder in Arizona?
First, you must obtain the American Welding Society certification to become a welder (AWS). It means that you should get your training from an AWS-accredited school. You’ll attend various theoretical classes and many practical courses during your workout.
Following completion of your education, you must pass a certification exam. Usually, you can pass your test at your school, but the location may differ.
You will be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in various standard skills during the examination. When you obtain a welding certification, you can perform a specific set of welds, such as horizontal pipe welding.
How to Renew Your Welding Certification in Arizona
There is a 60-day administrative extension period available. Your certification will be considered expired during this period. If the maintenance form is received within this timeframe and the renewal requirements are met, your certificate will be renewed beginning with the expiration date.
If the maintenance is submitted after the expiration date, an additional late fee of $50 will be assessed.
How Much Do Welders Make in Arizona?
In Arizona, the average annual salary for a welder is $35,960. That equates to about $17.29 per hour. This range, however, falls between $20,441 and $45,993.
Several factors determine the salary of a welder in Arizona. The first consideration, as with any job, is your experience level. You have a better chance of earning more if you have more years of experience and tasks on your CV. This is also true if you work for large corporations that pay higher wages.
But what if you’re a recent graduate with no prior experience? The next thing that would be useful is your location. Your location will determine your salary as a welder.
How Long is Welding School in Arizona?
Most vocational welding training programs last 6–12 months and can be completed at night. You can expect to start working as a welder within 1-2 years of beginning the training.
Acquiring a general contractor license in Arizona with a welding classification, on the other hand, can take at least five years due to the state’s requirements for experience and licensure.
Best Welding Schools in Arizona
#1. Arizona Western College – IWT
The Welding program and certificates provide graduates with various technology courses and programs that prepare them for a career in welding.
Welding content and instruction focus on traditional welding processes and practices such as oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc (stick), gas tungsten arc (Tig-Heliarc), gas metal arc (MIG), and plasma arc, resistance welding, fluxed core arc, submerged arc, and electron beam.
Completing the various sequences of instruction within the welding department prepares graduates for rewarding careers in metal fabrication, maintenance, education, supervision, sales and service, and a variety of other opportunities related to welding technology.
Welding program or certificate graduates will learn various skills and gain industry-specific experience.
#2. Northland Pioneer College
The NPC Welding training program covers a wide range of welding topics, including safety standards, metal preparation, and primary and advanced courses in GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, weld quality, and plastic, and aluminum welding, among others. Instruction is given in incremental steps; you master one skill before moving on to the next.
NPC’s welding program teaches leadership and employability strategies such as career planning, job search skills, and interviewing techniques. You’ll learn techniques to improve your presentation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The best part is that you will learn from some of the state’s most highly regarded welding instructors.
Read Also: 15 Best Welding Schools In Houston
#3. GateWay Community College
The GateWay Welding program corresponds to industry credentials outlined by the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 and D17.1 standards, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler Pressure Vessel Code IX, and the American Petroleum Institute (API) 1104 standards.
Under the supervision of experienced instructors, you will learn the fundamentals of Oxyfuel welding (OFW) and cutting (OFC), as well as Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) processes. You’ll learn how to use advanced welding techniques and modern industrial welding equipment. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) are all covered techniques (GTAW).
If you complete the program successfully, you can apply for graduation and receive your certificate of competency.
#4. Vocational Training Institute
The VTI Welding Training Program prepares graduates for a career in welding. Students develop a strong foundation in welding fundamentals with over 287 training hours and a front-row seat to real-world applications.
This prepares new graduates for entry-level apprenticeships while also instilling confidence in them.
VTI’s program includes nearly 300 hours of proper training. Students graduate with exposure to various welding positions and techniques, having received safety education and training in 1G, 2G, 3 G, and 4G welding.
Read Also: 15 Best Welding Schools In San Diego
#5. Arizona Automotive Institute
The comprehensive Combination Welding program at Arizona Automotive Institute prepares you for careers in the welding industry. We combine classroom learning with hands-on experience to prepare you for a career in combination welding after you graduate.
Your dream career is within reach, with enrollment beginning on a rolling basis and programs that can be completed in 10 months! By the end of our program, you should be prepared to take the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) welding certification exams.
#6. Central Arizona College
Pipefitter/Pipe Welding Technology, AAS & Certificates prepares students for entry-level employment as pipe welders/fitters with various career options in the industry. Shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, pipe fabrication, and trade math are some topics covered. A typical graduate looks for work in power generation, cross-country pipeline, pressure vessel fabrication, process piping, and related maintenance and construction fields.
Structural Welding Technology, AAS & Certificates prepare students for entry-level employment as a welder/fabricators with various career options in the industry. The topics covered are:
- Quality control.
- Thermal cutting processes.
- Flux-cored arc welding with and without gas.
- Using engine-driven welding machines with portable semi-automatic wire feeders.
Through various projects, students will learn structural fabrication and steel erection. A typical graduate looks for mining, steel fabrication, or steel erection work.
Read Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Utah
#7. Mesa Community College
For this program, MCC offers Certificates of Completion and Associate Degrees. Your interests and goals will guide you in choosing the best path. A combination of certificates or degrees may be the quickest way to realize your dreams.
The experienced instructors will teach you the fundamentals of Oxyfuel welding (OFW) and cutting (OFC), as well as Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) processes. You’ll learn to use modern industrial welding equipment and advanced techniques. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) are among the methods covered (GTAW).
Completing the Welding program’s degree or certificate program may lead to employment in various occupations and industries.
#8. Mohave Community College
The new welding program will align with the training and certifications offered by the American Welding Society (AWS). The welding program adheres to the SENSE (Schools Excelling through National Skill Standards Education) and NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research) programs, which align industrial education with secondary and post-secondary institutions.
The welding program is intended to supplement high school Tech Prep and dual-enrollment credits for transfer into community college Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. The program prepares students for welding code certification tests such as AWS, API, and ASME Section IX.
Read More: 15 Best Welding Schools in Florida
#9. Pima Community College
Pima’s Welding program teaches basic and advanced welding techniques and processes through lectures and hands-on training. At Pima, you’ll learn everything from oxygen fuel welding and cutting to automated robotic welding.
You will be prepared to work as a welder, cutter, fabricator, and welding machine operator in construction fabrication and industrial manufacturing settings. PCC Welding offers courses in blueprint reading, metallurgy, computer-aided drafting, and the fundamental electric arc welding processes.
#10. Yavapai College
The Structural Welding certificate prepares students for positions requiring welding proficiency. Coursework can help current welders improve their skills and advance their careers.
After completing the Welding-Structural Certificate program successfully, the learner can: Use welding safety procedures, Read welding blueprints, and Operate oxy-acetylene equipment to weld, cut, braze, and braze weld in accordance with industry standards.
#11. Eastern Arizona College
Eastern Arizona College’s welding program prepares students for careers as welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, application engineers, sales engineers, project engineers, and project managers. The program uses technical knowledge and skills to combine and cut metal surfaces.
Arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and nonferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, welding process and heat treating, structural design, safety, and codes and standards are among the topics covered in the program.
Read Also: Best Welding Schools In North Carolina
#12. The Refrigeration School
The Refrigeration School, or RSI, offers a Welding Specialist program that provides students with hands-on training that can be applied to various industry applications.
This program prepares students for entry-level thin alloy, structural, pipe, and pipeline welding positions. Along with the typical welding courses, the program includes best safety practices and basic metallurgy.
One exciting aspect of RSI is that they recently launched OcuWeld, virtual reality gamification that can improve students’ training! The OcuWeld is a simulator included in their welding program as part of the gear package, so every student receives an Oculus.
#13. Mountain Institute
Mountain Institute provides expert instruction and hands-on training in arc and oxyfuel welding and cutting, as well as fundamental principles of joining ferrous and nonferrous metals, processes, and more.
The Mountain Institute provides Dual Enrollment classes for high school students that prepare them for post-secondary education or employment.
Students who complete the course will receive American Welding Society certifications at the 2G, 3G, and 4G levels.
Read Also: Welding Schools In Iowa | A Detailed Guide
#14. East Valley Institute of Technology
East Valley Institute of Technology is Arizona’s newest International Accredited Test Facility, offering certifications through the American Welding Society.
Students will receive hands-on instruction in basic welding principles and metal fabrication at this institute. Also, students can learn various types of welding, such as plasma and oxyfuel cutting.
Students can obtain American Welding Society certifications for a fee.
#15. American Contractors Academy
The philosophy of the American Contractors Academy is hands-on education combined with classroom-style instruction, providing an intimate and highly specialized learning environment.
The Academy is looking for students who want to work as entry-level millwrights, certified welders, and fabricators. The school is an excellent college alternative that focuses on teaching students a wide range of skills, safety, and job site etiquette.
They provide welding courses in SMAW and GMAW; both cover the fundamentals of welding and help students become acquainted with the principles and concepts used in the field.
Read Also: Best Mechanic Schools In Las Vegas | A Detailed Guide
How Much Do Welding Schools Cost in Arizona?
The cost of community colleges in Arizona varies, but tuition for a welding program should be between $5,000 and $15,000. Prices can rise if you live outside of the district, and they can skyrocket if you enroll from out of state. Welding programs can last from a few months to two years if you attend a full-time community college.
The above cost estimates do not include the cost of books, course fees, or living expenses.
Welding Schools in Arizona FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Welder’s License?
Most vocational welding training programs last 6–12 months and can be completed at night. You can expect to start working as a welder within 1-2 years of beginning the training.
What does a certified welder earn in Arizona?
In Arizona, the average annual salary for a welder is $35,960. That equates to about $17.29 per hour. This range, however, falls between $20,441 and $45,993.
In Arizona, how long does it take to become a welder?
The majority of training can be completed in 6–12 months. Students who require financial assistance to attend training programs can apply for industry scholarships.
Conclusion
Working as a welder, also known as a welding technician, entails using blueprints, design skills, and knowledge of metal properties to construct and repair factory equipment, buildings, automobiles, and other items. It’s a fast-paced, ever-changing profession that allows people to use their hands while completing projects that give them a genuine sense of accomplishment.
As you can see, Arizona has a large number of welding schools. Don’t pass up your chance to start a successful career and obtain your welding certification.
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