Welding Schools in California (Top Programs Listed)

Becoming a welder in California will be a perfect choice for those who like doing something with their own hands.

In fact, California has numerous job opportunities for qualified welders.

Moreover, this job is among the jobs with a high salary.

If you want to start your career as a welder in California but don’t know where to get your training, you can learn about the best welding schools in the state.

AWS Welding Certification: How to Become a Welder in California?

Those who want to become a welder in California, first of all, need to get the American Welding Society (AWS) certification.

To get the certification, it’s necessary to complete your training at a welding school that was approved by AWS.

During their training, students attend theoretical classes as well as practical training courses.

As soon as you complete your training you can sit for the certification test.

Normally, students can take their test at the school they’ve attended.

To pass the test you should be able to prove your proficiency in different welding skills.

To get more info about welding test and standards, you can visit the AWS official page.

How Long Does a Training Last?

Of course, before starting training, it’s important to learn how much time it’s necessary to get the certification.

In fact, training duration varies in different schools.

Nevertheless, you can be sure that your training won’t take more than 2 years.

Top 52 Welding Certification Schools in California

Below you can find the list of the best welding schools in California.

Consider the fact that each school was approved by the American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program.

Some Common Welding Classes

There are some classes that are common for any welding school and, of course, the schools on the list aren’t an exception.

There are such classes as:

• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG);
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding;
• Gas Metal Arc Welding.

Main Requirements for Welding School Enrollees

The main requirement any enrollee should meet is a high-school diploma or GED.

Nevertheless, some schools require the tenth grade.

In such a case you can enter vocational classes and complete your high-school education at the same time.

Best Welding Certification Schools in Northern California

Considering the fact that some users may be interested specifically in the Northern California welding schools, we’ve made a shortlist of the best schools.

There are Top 5 pipe welding schools in Northern California:

1. Cal-Trade Welding School in Modesto, California.
2. Allied Welding School in Richmond.
3. GK Welding School, in Richmond.
4. Cal Weld in Freemont.
5. Sierra College.

Some more welding schools can be found in the list below.

Best Welding Certification Schools in Southern California

Of course, there is a bunch of students that look for welding training courses in Southern California, that’s why we prepared a shortlist for you.

There are Top 4 welding schools in Southern California:

1. John Lopez Welding School in Bakersfield.
2. Welding Skills Test and Training Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
3. Elite Welding Academy in Southern California.
4. Precision Welding & Fabrication, Inc.

Look for some other welding schools in California in the list below. 

Top 52 Welding Schools in California

Popular Degree Programs

Underwater Welding Programs in California

There are only a few underwater welding schools in the United States and some of them are located in California.

In fact, there are two schools that offer underwater welding training in the state:

1. Santa Barbara City College. Here you can get your Associate in Science Degree and/or a Certificate in Marine Technology. Both options are a perfect choice for those who are interested in diving and want to work as an underwater welder.
2. National University Polytechnic Institute. It offers Diving Medical Technician or Non-Destructive Testing programs.

Employment Outlook for Welders in California

California offers numerous job opportunities for welders.

Moreover, there aren’t only numerous job offers but a high salary as well.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that the number of job offers for welders will grow by 6% by 2026.

It means that by 2026 there will be about 22 500 new job offers for welders.

Average Welder’s Salary in California

Welders in California earn a rather high salary.

An average welder’s salary in California is $43,840 per year or $21.08 per hour which is higher than the national median salary ($39,390 per year or $18.94 per hour).

Top 10% of welders throughout the country earn $62 100 per year, while the top 10% of welders in California earn $65 490 annually.

Safety Tips for Welders

Welding is a hard job and it can be really dangerous that’s why it’s important to pay attention to safety.

Of course, there are lots of safety tips that will make your job not only safe but easier as well.

We offer you some main tips that will help you in your career:

1. Read recommendations and instructions carefully. Each tool and piece of equipment has its specifics and it’s important to learn them before starting to work.
2. Buy high-quality equipment. It’s really important to invest in excellent protective equipment such as helmet, gloves, shoes, glasses and so on. You need to protect your skin and eyes properly.
3. Take care of the environment. You should keep your working space and environment clean and tidy.

Conclusion

As you see, there are lots of offers for those who want to get their welding training in California.

Now, you just need to make a choice and start your training to become a professional welder.

Welding Schools by City

Welding Schools by State