With the demand for welders continuing to grow in Arizona, a career in welding can be an enriching experience. To pursue a degree in welding, you need to consider some of the best welding schools in Arizona.
At these top-tier institutions, students receive comprehensive instruction on all welding techniques.
From gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) to oxyfuel cutting and flux cored arc welding (FCAW), students learn how to use the latest equipment and technologies safely.
Each program provides hands-on experience with specialized equipment and teaches students how to work with different metals.
Students also benefit from courses that cover fundamentals such as mathematics, metallurgy, blueprints, electrical theory, and safety standards.
Read on to explore the top 15 best welding schools in Arizona. Attending any of these schools can help build a long-lasting welding career.
Is Becoming a Certified Welder in Arizona Worth it?
Welders are in high demand across the United States, and certified welders are even more sought after.
For those looking to become a welder in Arizona, now is the time to make that career move. Getting a certification as a welder can open up many job opportunities and increase earning potential.
Research the best welding schools in Arizona before committing to a program to ensure you receive quality training and get the proper certifications for your desired career path.
Certified welders have the potential to make great money depending on their specialty and experience level.
Arizona’s most common welding specialties include pipefitting, aluminum welding, MIG/TIG welding, brazing, and fabrication.
15 Best Welding Schools in Arizona
Here are the top-rated welding schools in Arizona:
- Gateway Community College
- The Refrigeration School
- Mountain Institute
- Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
- American Contractors Academy
- Arizona Western College – IWT
- Ash Fork High School
- Bagdad High School
- East Valley Institute of Technology
- Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
- Northland Pioneer College–Painted Desert Campus
- Yuma High School
- White Cone High School
- Western Maricopa Edu. Center
- Mohave Community College
#1. GateWay Community College
Address: 108 North 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 286-8000
First on our list of top-rated welding schools in Arizona is Gateway Community College. At this school, students can enroll in an Applied Technology Field of Interest program.
This prestigious school focuses on programs like HVAC, and automotive. They emphasize practical skill development to aid students in designing, creating, or maintaining cutting-edge machinery and procedures.
Also, full-time and part-time students can attend the classes and are scheduled to meet industry standards.
Fundamentals, gas tungsten arc, and shielded metal arc welding certificates are the three welding credentials offered by GateWay.
Remember that students pay tuition and fees under their residency status. The Gateway website has information about your categorization.
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#2. The Refrigeration School
Address: 4210 East Washington St, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
Phone: (480) 660-2490
Next on our list of best Arizona schools for welders is the Refrigeration School. The Welding Specialist curriculum is offered by The Refrigeration School, or RSI, and allows students to get practical experience they may apply to a wide range of industry applications.
This program aims to equip students with the skills necessary for entry-level jobs in structural, thin alloy, and pipe and pipeline welding.
The program also covers fundamental metallurgy and optimal safety measures, along with the usual welding lessons.
The recent development of OcuWeld, a virtual reality gamification that can improve students’ training, is one exciting thing about RSI.
Every student receives an Oculus since it is a part of the equipment package and is included with their welding curriculum.
#3. Mountain Institute
Address: 220 Ruger Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: (928) 771-0791
Mountain Institute is among the schools topping our chart of best Arizona welding schools.
Students can master essential concepts of joining ferrous and non-ferrous metals, processes, arc, and oxyfuel welding, cutting, and more at Mountain Institute through experienced guidance and practical training.
Moreso, high school students can take Dual Enrollment classes at The Mountain Institute to prepare for post-secondary education or work.
After completing the program, students can earn 2G, 3G, and 4G American Welding Society certifications.
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#4. Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
Address: 10695 West Pierce St, Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (623) 245-4600
We can’t talk about best welding schools in Arizona without mentioning Universal Tecnical Institute. A combination welding program created in collaboration with Lincoln Electric is available through the Universal Technical Institute (UTI).
This program covers the four welding methods: GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
From beginning to end, the 36-week curriculum instructs students in the methods and tools necessary for the field.
UTI students are taught how to weld flat, horizontally, vertically, and overhead. They include twelve practical courses in the curriculum to better prepare students for the workplace.
#5. American Contractors Academy
Address: 2626 Stearman Rd Unit A, Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: (928) 301-7671
The American Contractors Academy’s pedagogy emphasizes practical training and classroom instruction to provide a small-group, highly specialized learning environment.
Students interested in becoming entry-level millwrights, certified welders, or fabricators should apply to the academy.
The institution is an excellent substitute for a four-year university and focuses on teaching students a wide range of skills, safety, and worksite etiquette.
They provide SMAW and GMAW welding courses; both programs address the fundamentals of welding and aid students in familiarizing themselves with ideas and concepts applied in practice.
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#6. Arizona Western College – IWT
Address: 2020 South Ave 8E, P.O. Box 929, Yuma, AZ 85366-0929, United States
Phone: (928) 344-7570
Arizona Western College is a public community college in Yuma, Arizona. It was founded in 1967 as the Yuma County Junior College District and was renamed Arizona Western College in 1974.
The school has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and offers around 60-degree programs, including associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas, technical certifications, and military training.
#7. Ash Fork High School
Address: 46999 N. 5th St., Ash Fork, AZ 86320, United States
Phone: (928) 637-2561
Ash Fork High School in Arizona is an excellent choice for students who are interested in welding.
Located in the small community of Ash Fork, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students seeking to pursue a career in welding.
Students have access to top-of-the-line equipment and knowledgeable instructors specializing in the trade.
The curriculum follows the standards set by industry professionals and includes instruction on basic welding techniques and more advanced skills such as metal fabrication, blueprint reading, and safety protocols.
The program aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of welding that can be applied both professionally and recreationally.
Graduates come away with certifications highly sought after by employers across Arizona and beyond.
#8. Bagdad High School
Address: 215 Breezy Circle Bagdad, AZ 86321 United States
Phone: (928) 633-2201
Bagdad High School is in Bagdad, Arizona, and offers a welding program that spans eight months, with classes starting at 9:30 AM every day.
The school’s instructor-led curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of metal fabrication. Students will learn how to weld metals and fabricate metal parts by hand or machine.
This program costs $3100 per semester or $9100 for all four semesters ($22000).
To apply for admission into these programs, applicants must meet specific requirements, including passing two exams at their high school level and having completed two years’ worth of math classes.
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#9. East Valley Institute of Technology
Address: 1601 West Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201, United States
Phone: (480) 461-4000
East Valley Institute of Technology is a public school that offers training in welding. EVIOT students are trained in the following areas:
- Welding
- Wireman’s Mate
- Foundry (for those who work with metal)
- Aiding and Maintenance (for those who help maintain equipment)
The school has a selection of programs you can choose from, including certificates and degrees.
The certificate program lasts three years, while the degree program lasts four years.
#10. Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
Address: 951 West Snowflake Blvd Snowflake, AZ 85937 United States
Phone: (800) 266-7845
Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology is a public, two-year higher education institution in Flagstaff, Arizona.
It was founded in 1929 as the Northern Arizona College of Education and offered two-year teaching certificates only.
In 1968, NAUVIT became coeducational and began offering four-year bachelor’s degrees in business administration; nursing; industrial technology; liberal arts; teacher education (3 years); accounting/finance/business courses leading to an associate degree; general studies with at least one system required for graduation.
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#11. Northland Pioneer College–Painted Desert Campus
Address: 2251 N. Navajo Boulevard, Holbrook, AZ 86025, United States
Phone: (800) 266-7845
Northland Pioneer College Painted Desert Campus is one of the premier welding schools in Arizona. Located in Winslow, Arizona, NPC offers a variety of welding courses designed for both new and experienced welders.
With its innovative teaching techniques and highly trained instructors, NPC Painted Desert Campus provides a comprehensive learning experience for those interested in pursuing this exciting career path.
Designed to meet the needs of aspiring welders living in remote areas or unable to attend regular college programs, Northland Pioneer College provides hands-on classes that allow students to gain real-world knowledge in various welding disciplines.
Courses include Shielding Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
#12. Yuma High School
Yuma High School has a welding program open to students from Yuma High School and other schools in the Yuma Union High School District.
The program offers a certificate in welding, which you can complete within two years.
Students must complete at least 30 hours of classroom instruction per semester and 30 hours of practical training per semester.
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#13. White Cone High School
White Cone High School in Snowflake, Arizona, is one of the best welding schools in the state.
Established in 1972, it has a long-standing tradition of producing skilled welders and metal workers with successful careers.
With a focus on safety and high-quality education, White Cone High School offers students the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors with industry experience.
The school’s curriculum encompasses a variety of welding techniques, including oxyfuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), and gas metal arc welding (GMAW).
Students can gain real-world experience through hands-on classes that provide comprehensive instruction emphasizing quality artistry.
#14. Western Maricopa Edu. Center
Address: 5487 N. 99th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305 United States.
Phone: (623) 872-1682
Next on our top 15 welding schools in Arizona is Western Maricopa Edu. Center. This school is an excellent option for students seeking quality welding education.
WEMEC offers a comprehensive welding program to meet the needs of its students. Students will receive fundamental training in welding technology, safety, health measures, and blueprint reading at this esteemed school.
At WEMEC, students will get the skills needed to begin or advance their careers as a welder.
The instructor-led classes are to provide hands-on experience with up-to-date equipment and technology used in modern-day welding applications.
Upon completing the program, graduates receive a certificate that opens doors to professional opportunities within Welding Technology.
#15. Mohave Community College
Address: 1971 Jagerson Ave, Kingman, Arizona 86409-1238
Phone: (928) 757-4331
Finally, on our list of best welding schools in Arizona is Mohave Community college. Mohave Community College is a public, two-year community college in Bullhead City, Arizona. Mohave Community College offers over 100 programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, human services, health, and technology.
The College’s mission is to provide quality educational opportunities for students who desire to attain their highest level of success by providing helpful knowledge that will enable them eventually become contributing members of our society.
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What is Welding in Arizona Salary and Expected Career Like?
According to the Projections Managing Partnership, welding technicians in Arizona will have no trouble finding work because the state’s industry will grow by 20.7 percent between 2016 and 2026.
Arizona is a great spot to start a career as a welder because this move marks one of the most important increases in the nation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Arizona earn an average yearly salary of $43,480. The wages of those with more outstanding education or experience may be higher.
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How much time does it take in Arizona to become a welder?
The American Welding Society (AWS) certification test is a requirement for the welding training program, which you can complete in as little as seven months.
Additionally, some employers could demand that a welding candidate take and pass a particular welding exam to show the abilities required for the position.
In Arizona, how much does welding school cost?
Depending on the qualification, this education course might take between 6 and 16 months, with a 1-year median completion time. Attending Arizona Welding School will cost you $5,000 on average.
How much money do welders make in Arizona?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that welders in the state of Arizona earned an average salary of $44,070 in 2019. Welders are starting at the entry-level and making about $29,520; some seasoned pros make as much as $61,420.
As of November 2022, the average Welder I salary in Arizona is $43,678, but the range typically falls between $38,787 and $50,206.
FAQs
In Arizona, you will earn around $43,678 on average.
The welding schools in Arizona include:
Gatway Community School
The Refrigeration School
Mountain Institute
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
American Contractors Academy
Arizona Western College – IWT
Ash Fork High School
Bagdad High School
East Valley Institute of Technology
Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
Northland Pioneer College–Painted Desert Campus
Yuma High School
White Cone High School
Western Maricopa Edu. Center
Mohave Community College
Conclusion
One of the best things about a welding school in Arizona is that many options exist. You can find a school right for you by looking at its programs and locations. The best way to start your search is by going through our list of the top 15 schools we have handpicked based on their quality and location. We hope this article has helped you get started!
References
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/welder-i-salary/az
- https://weldingtech.net/az/
- https://workingtheflame.com/welding-schools-arizona/
- https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/welding-schools-arizona/
