Welding Schools in Montana (Top Programs Listed)

Welding Schools in Montana

Do you like working with your own hands on open air?

Consider becoming a welder as it’s exactly the type of job you may like.

Moreover, it’s incredibly interesting and exciting as you are going to work with fire and metal.

You can learn more about this career in the article below.

Welder’s Duties and Roles in Montana

In simple words, welding is a process of joining metal elements together.

Sounds rather simple?

The truth is that it’s absolutely opposite as you need a whole bunch of skills.

It’s absolutely important as you should be able to use various tools.

Most Significant Welder’s Responsibilities

There are 4 the most significant responsibilities any welder should perform daily:

  1.  Studying and understanding specific sketches, blueprints, and instructions. Also, a welder should be able to follow all these instructions properly.
  2. Raw structure/material analysis in order to determine appropriate methods required for an excellent result. There are about 100 welding methods such as gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, or gas metal arc welding.
  3. Usage of appropriate tools depending on the chosen method.
  4. Maintaining equipment and tools so it meets all the requirements. There is a variety of different types of tools including electric and manual equipment. Sometimes, welders should be able to use numerous combination of tools to perform their job properly.

Reasons for Becoming a Welder in Montana

Welders, for sure, have something they can be proud of as they create impressive constructions.

Working as a welder, you’ll be creating various buildings, bridges, and other projects.

Keep in mind, that welders work with their own hands on open air.

Also, you’ll be impressed by the outlook.

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

If you want to work as a welder, you need to be:

  • Detail oriented;
  • Technical skills;
  • Physical strength;
  • Physical stamina;
  • Manual dexterity;
  • Spatial-orientation skills.

Average Welder’s Salary in Montana

Working as a welder in Montana, an individual can earn a median salary of $41 230 per year ($19.82 per hour).

A median salary throughout the country is slightly lower and this is about $39 390 per year ($18.94 per hour).

Speaking of the top 10% of welders, in Montana, they earn about $59 900.

Throughout the country, they have a salary of $62 100 per year.

Where Can Certified Welders Work in Montana?

In Montana, there is a bunch of job options for welders including such spheres as:

  • Construction of buildings and bridges;
  • Manufacturing;
  • Aerospace applications;
  • Gas & oil field power plants and refineries;
  • Shipbuilding;
  • Auto & motorcycle fabrication and repair.

Top 12 Welding Certification Schools in Montana

Below there is a list of the best welding certification schools in Montana.

There are 12 schools that were approved by the American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program.

Each school provides a variety of important and essential courses such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG).

It means that you’ll be able to perform your duties properly.

Keep in mind that you need a high-school diploma or GED to start your training.

Nevertheless, some schools are ready to accept high-school juniors.

In any case, to become a certified welder, a high-school diploma is required as well as a bunch of significant skills.

SchoolLocationContact InformationPhone Number
Anaconda Civilian Conservation Center1407 Foster Creek Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711 United States
Anaconda Job1407 Foster Creek Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711 United States(406) 563-3476
Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center1384 Foster Creek Rd. Anaconda, MT 59711 United StatesRon Morgan(406) 563-8758
Bozeman High School205 North 11th St, Bozeman, MT 59715 United StatesDoulas Batson(406) 522-6267
Dawson Community College300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330 United StatesBrent Nelson(800) 821-8320
Fort Peck Community CollegeHighway 2 East, Poplar, MT 59255 United StatesSteve Harada(406) 653-3900
Gallatin College Montana State University101 Hamilton Hall, P.O. Box 170515, Bozeman, MT 59717 United StatesDavid Cohenour(406) 994-5536
General Distributing Co1327 South 29th St West, Billing, MT 59102 United StatesKevin Gaskin(406) 259-5023
Great Falls College MSU2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405 United StatesErica Rominger(406) 771-5132
Montana State UniversityBusiness Office, MSU-Northern, Havre, MT 59501 United StatesVirgil Hawkinson(406) 265-4161
Montana Tech, The University of Montana-College of Tech25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, MT 59701 United StatesSteve Luft(406) 496-3707
Trapper Creek Job Corps USDA5139 W Fork Rd, Darby, MT 59829 United StatesTed Hayes(406) 821-3286

Keep in mind that the information in the table may change so we recommend you to doublecheck it. 

Popular Degree Programs

Similar Career Options in Montana

These options may as well interest you:

  • Boilermaker;
  • Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter;
  • Sheet Metal Worker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are welders happy?

According to a survey by CareerExplorer, welders have about an average level of career happiness (3.1 out of 5 stars, which places them in the bottom 44% when it comes to happiness with their careers).

Trade careers with similar happiness ratings include riggers, grain elevator workers, locksmiths, and radio mechanics.

How to weld thin metal with arc welder?

Two types of arc welders, MIG and TIG, are ideal for thin metals.

In fact, they work extremely well on almost all types of metals and materials.

However, if your stainless steel or aluminum sheets are too thin, you may want to stick to TIG.

What are the requirements to be a welder?

The first requirement is to have a high school diploma or GED.

Next, you need to complete a welding training program, which includes hands-on instruction.

The amount of time you spend in training varies, but having an associate’s degree will most likely fast-track you in your welding training.

After you have completed training and obtained the necessary certifications, you can start applying for welding jobs.

You can also be a self-employed welding contractor.

USA Welding Schools by City


USA Welding Schools by State


One Comment
  1. Avatar for Boyer Coursey Boyer Coursey

    Interested in welding and mechanics program.

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