Which Utah Schools Offer Welding Classes and Training Programs?

Employment Info for a Welding Career in Utah

A high school diploma or equivalent can be enough to obtain entry-level employment as a welder, since some employers offer on-the-job training. Some welding jobs require certification, and this can be obtained through the American Welding Society. To earn this organization's certified welder designation, you'll need to perform a sound weld in the presence of an approved welding inspector. Other certifications are also available, including those for welding inspectors, welding supervisors and welding engineers.

Salary and Job Outlook for a Welding Career in Utah

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2011 the mean annual wage for a welder in Utah was around $40,000, and 3,680 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers were employed in that state during that time. The BLS projected the number of jobs for welders would increase by 15% nationwide between 2010 and 2020, which is an average rate of growth when compared to other employment.

Schools in Utah with Welding Certificates

Salt Lake Community College

• Program Name: Welding Certificate of Proficiency
• Program Length: 1,209 hours
• Tuition: $2,177.40 (cost as of summer 2012)
• Admission Requirements: Minimum Test of Adult Basic Education score of 8 in reading and 7 in math, good finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination and ability to lift and bend
• School Type: 2-year, public; 33,420 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 4600 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123
• Phone: (801) 957-7522

This program trains you to perform entry-level welding tasks using both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. You will learn safety practices in addition to various welding techniques, including shielded metal arc, oxyacetylene and flux cored arc welding. You'll also learn the type of math used in welding and how to read blueprints.

Utah State University - College of Eastern Utah

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Welding Technology
• Program Length: 1 year
• Tuition: $109.18 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students (cost for 2012-2013)
• Admissions Requirements: Visual acuity of at least 20/40 and Jaeger J-2 at 12 inches
• School Type: 2-year, public; 2,323 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 451 East 400 North, Price, Utah 84501
• Phone: (435) 613-5000

This program prepares you for entry-level employment as a welder. You must earn 32 credits to receive this degree, and 23 of those credits must be in welding courses. Only courses in which you receive a minimum grade of 'C' will count toward this certificate.

Schools in Utah with Welding Associate's Degrees

Salt Lake Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Welding Fabrication and Inspection
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition: $167.00 per credit for state residents; $ 453.00 per credit for non-residents (costs for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Good reading and math skills
• Admissions Requirements: Good eyesight, physical condition and hand-eye coordination
• School Type: 2-year, public; 33,420 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 4600 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123
• Phone: (801) 957-7522

You must earn at least 67 credits to receive this degree. Required courses include fundamentals of welding, manual machining, gas shield weld inspection, flux core/pipe fabrication and blueprints for welding. You may also earn credit for cooperative education experience.

Snow College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition: $1,348.00 per semester for full-time state residents; $4,920.00 per semester for full-time non-residents (costs for 2012-2013)
• School Type: 2-year, public; 4,465 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 150 East College Avenue, Ephraim, Utah 84627
• Phone: (435) 283-7000

You must earn a minimum of 63 credits to receive this degree. You'll learn about machine shop practices, industrial joining processes, welding inspection and various welding methods. You'll also be required to satisfy general education requirements in communications, human relations and computation.

Utah State University - College of Eastern Utah

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition: $109.18 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students (cost for 2012-2013)
• Admissions Requirements: Visual acuity of at least 20/40 and Jaeger J-2 at 12 inches
• School Type: 2-year, public; 2,323 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 451 East 400 North, Price, Utah 84501
• Phone: (435) 613-5000

You must earn at least 64 credits to receive this degree. You'll be trained in various welding techniques, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding. Required courses include print reading for welders, welding inspection, metallurgy and related welding processes.

Schools in Utah with Welding Bachelor's Degrees

Weber State University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
• Specialization Area: Welding Engineering Technology
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $1,980.70 per semester for full-time state residents; $6,029.18 per semester for full-time non-residents (costs for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Completion of all courses required for associate's degree in manufacturing engineering technology
• School Type: 4-year, public; 25,301 students (24,617 undergraduate)
• Address: 1801 University Circle, Ogden, Utah 84408
• Phone: (801) 626-6303

This program is offered through Weber State University's College of Applied Science & Technology. You must earn 126 credits for this degree when you choose the welding technology specialization. Required courses include fusion joining and brazing processes, welding metallurgy, corrosion and corrosion control, welding power sources and codes, weld inspection and quality assurance.