Getting a certification or a license to perform specialized welds could help you qualify for higher-paying welder jobs in NC.
Education and Training
Local Trade Schools
- Charlotte
- Troutman
- Winston-Salem
- Dallas, Lincolnton, Belmont
- Spindale
- Marion
- Cary, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Wilmington
- Troy
- Mooresville
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Rating: 3.6 out 5)
The Combination Welding Diploma Program at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance offers hands-on training in welding and flame cutting, with classroom instruction on welding theory over 8 months (24 credit hours). Graduates are prepared to sit for the American Welding Society (AWS) 3G-4G certification exam. The program provides career opportunities in various welding fields, including welder-fitter, maintenance welder, and fabrication welder.
Career Academy & Technical School (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
The Welding program at Mitchell Community College offers hands-on training with eight fully equipped welding stations, allowing students to develop the skills and muscle memory needed for high-quality, industry-standard welds. Through practical experience, students prepare for careers in various fields, from construction to manufacturing. Enrollment requires an application, with courses conducted on campus.
Forsyth Technical Community College (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
Forsyth Tech's Welding Technology program offers an Associate Degree in Applied Science, a diploma, and a certificate, each providing comprehensive training in welding techniques and skills. The Associate Degree takes two years to complete with day classes, preparing graduates for careers in construction, manufacturing, and self-employment.
The diploma program, completed in one year with day and evening classes, equips students for entry-level positions in various industries.
The certificate program, available part-time over 1-2 semesters with day and evening classes, provides focused training for quick entry into the welding and metalworking industry.
Gaston College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
The Welding Technology program at Gaston College offers hands-on training and stackable credentials, including a diploma and two certificate levels, preparing students for entry-level positions in metalworking industries. With no prior experience or high school diploma required, students gain practical skills in welding science, technology, and safety. Graduates can pursue careers in manufacturing, construction, quality control, or even start their own welding-related business, with earning potential growing through experience and specialization.
Isothermal Community College (Rating: 4.3 out 5)
The Welding Technology program offers a variety of credentials including an associate degree, diploma, advanced welding certificate, advanced welding and inspection processes certificate, and a basic welding certificate. The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of welding science, technology, and applications, covering topics such as electrode welding, cutting processes, metallurgy, welding inspection, and testing. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, fabrication, and quality control, equipped with industry-standard skills developed through both classroom training and practical application. Career opportunities for graduates include roles as fabricators, non-destructive examination technicians, welders, welding inspectors, and welding technicians.
McDowell Technical Community College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
The Welding Technology program at MTCC offers an Associate Degree, Diploma, and Certificates, providing comprehensive training in welding and metalworking industries. Students gain expertise in consumable and non-consumable electrode welding, cutting processes, math, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and welding inspection, preparing them for entry-level positions in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, and more. Graduates are equipped with industry-standard skills sought after in diverse fields like bridge construction, building infrastructure, pressure vessel fabrication, and aerospace engineering.
Miller-Motte College (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
Miller-Motte College offers a 10-month Combination Welding program across its Augusta, Fayetteville, and Raleigh campuses, utilizing a rolling enrollment system to help students start training quickly. The curriculum blends classroom theory with hands-on practice in SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding, specifically preparing students to meet American Welding Society (AWS) standards. Upon completion, graduates gain universally recognized NCCER credentials that are recorded in a national registry, ensuring the portability of their skills for employers in the 2026 construction and manufacturing sectors.
Montgomery Community College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
Montgomery Community College's Continuing Education Welding program provides essential training in the science, technology, and applications of the trade, including consumable and non-consumable electrode welding and cutting processes. The curriculum is focused on developing industry-standard skills through practical application and courses in print reading and welding inspection. Program completers are prepared for employment as entry-level technicians in construction, manufacturing, and metalworking industries, although the specific timeframe or formal certification path is not explicitly detailed in this summary.
Universal Technical Institute (Rating: 4.3 out 5)
UTI’s Welding Technology program offers hands-on training in four major welding processes—GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW—developed in partnership with Lincoln Electric. This 36-week program, available at 12 campuses, prepares students for careers in industries like automotive fabrication and aerospace. With a combination of traditional and virtual welding instruction, graduates complete the program in less than nine months, gaining the skills needed for entry-level combination welder positions.
What Do You Learn in Welding School?
During these courses, aspiring welders in NC typically learn the following skills and information:
- Blueprint Reading
- Welding Equipment Handling and Maintenance
- Construction Mathematics
- Metalworking and Fabrication
- Shop and Site Safety
- Plasma Arc Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)/MIG Welding
- Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG Welding)
- Gas or Oxy-Acetylene Welding
- Flux-Cored Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)/Stick Welding
Specialized Welder Training
If you want to work as a pipefitter or an aviation, automotive, or underwater welder, you’ll need to complete a specialized training course that covers that particular skill set.
For instance, aspiring underwater welders must receive commercial diving training so they can perform welds on off-shore oil rigs, dams, bridges, marine vehicles, and nuclear reactors.
Additional Specializations
Likewise, those who want to be pipefitters will need to learn the fundamentals of plumbing and construction. Meanwhile, automotive and aviation welders need to understand the basic construction principles of motor vehicles and air or space crafts, respectively.
How Long is Welding School in NC?
Some NC welder schools allow students to complete their courses in as little as 12 weeks.
Other certificate and diploma programs, like the welding program at Universal Technical Institute’s Mooresville campus, are about 36 weeks long. If you plan to specialize in a particular welding discipline, you might finish your training in 18 months to two years.
How Much Does Welder School Cost?
Most certificate and diploma programs cost between $1,200 and $2,500.
However, there are some trade schools that charge closer to $3,000 or $4,000 in tuition, fees, study materials, and equipment.
Salary Range
- Talent.com: $40,801
- Indeed.com: $44,328
- Salary.com: $46,703
- Bureau of Labor: $47,200
Below is some local data from the BLS, for different parts of the state:
| Area | Per Hour | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $24.92 | $51,830 |
| Burlington | $24.02 | $49,970 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $25.37 | $52,760 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $25.31 | $52,640 |
| Fayetteville | $23.45 | $48,780 |
| Goldsboro | $22.97 | $47,770 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $24.23 | $50,390 |
| Greenville | $26.22 | $54,530 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $22.31 | $46,410 |
| Jacksonville | $23.65 | $49,200 |
| Mountain North Carolina | $23.17 | $48,180 |
| New Bern | $27.84 | $57,910 |
| Northeast Coastal North Carolina | $24.47 | $50,900 |
| Piedmont North Carolina | $23.21 | $48,270 |
| Raleigh | $25.13 | $52,270 |
| Rocky Mount | $24.43 | $50,800 |
| Southeast Coastal North Carolina | $24.15 | $50,230 |
| Wilmington | $24.23 | $50,390 |
| Winston-Salem | $23.69 | $49,280 |
source: data.bls.gov
Occupation:Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers(SOC Code514121)
Union welders in NC typically earn more than others, starting out at about $45,000 per year. If you have an official certification, you may be able to negotiate a higher wage as well.
Meanwhile, welders licensed in underwater welding, pipefitting, or some other specialty typically make closer to $80,000 per year or more.
North Carolina Welder Requirements
There is currently no state licensing requirement that welders in NC must meet before they can start applying for jobs. As a result, you may be able to find a job with a local contractor even if you lack an official credential. However, most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified welders.
American Welding Society Certification
Most welders in NC earn their professional certifications through the American Welding Society (AWS). To obtain your certified welder (CW) credential, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Find an accredited AWS testing center in your area
- Complete an application to take the AWS Certified Welder Exam
- Submit an application, a photo ID, and payment of the required application and exam fees
- Pass the written and practical portions of the certification exam
License Requirements
NC welders planning to perform underwater welds or work with construction teams building commercial and residential structures may need an official license. Typically, specialized training programs offer licensing exams through whichever organization provides their accreditation.
Job Description
Welder jobs in North Carolina require physical stamina, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of proper welding procedures and safety practices.
Required Tasks
Those who work as welders in NC must perform the following tasks while on the job:
- Read blueprints to determine the requirements for each weld
- Measure, cut, and shape metal components to blueprint and schematic specifications
- Use welding equipment to melt and join together metal components
- Be able to lift at least 50 pounds and sit, stand, and kneel for long periods during a weld
- Perform specific welding techniques based on the location and job requirements
What Employers in North Carolina Are Looking for in a Welder
North Carolina employers are actively seeking skilled welders who can contribute to a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and fabrication. The demand for welders in the state is strong, with companies requiring candidates who possess a combination of technical expertise, safety awareness, and teamwork skills. Several employers, such as Technique Inc. (Concord, NC), Southern Fabricators (Polkton, NC), WorkSteer (New Bern, NC), and Lincoln County Fabricators (Lincolnton, NC), have outlined their expectations for welding professionals.
Technical Skills and Experience
Employers in North Carolina expect welders to be proficient in multiple welding techniques, including MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, Stick welding, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW). Some roles, such as those at Zing! Recruiting (Pineville, NC), specifically require experience with GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) on carbon and stainless steel.
Additionally, welders should be capable of reading and interpreting blueprints and welding symbols, as emphasized by Lincoln County Fabricators. Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is also valued, particularly at companies like Technique Inc.
Safety and Compliance
Safety is paramount in welding positions. Companies such as Southern Fabricators highlight the importance of following verbal and written instructions, wearing appropriate safety gear, and ensuring workplace compliance with OSHA regulations. Grus Construction (Raleigh, NC) requires welders to pass safety-related qualifications, including drug tests and background checks, before beginning work.
Physical Stamina and Work Conditions
Most welding jobs require physical endurance, including standing for long hours, lifting heavy materials, and working in confined spaces or at heights. Employers like WorkSteer seek welders willing to work on new construction projects, which may involve heights and challenging environmental conditions. Similarly, Zing! Recruiting emphasizes the need for manual dexterity and the ability to work in extreme temperatures.
Soft Skills and Teamwork
In addition to technical proficiency, many North Carolina employers seek welders who demonstrate strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to work effectively in a team setting. For example, Southern Fabricators emphasizes the need for welders who can follow directions and collaborate efficiently with their team.
Crossover into Other Disciplines
Welding skills are highly transferable across multiple industries. In North Carolina, crossover opportunities exist in fields such as:
- Manufacturing: Companies like Technique Inc. require welders who can support quality assurance processes and fabricate precision parts.
- Construction: WorkSteer and Grus Construction need welders for structural work, including the installation of high-pressure steam systems, mechanical rooms, and HVAC components.
- Shipbuilding and Marine Fabrication: Coastal regions such as New Bern, NC, often require welders with experience in marine construction and repair.
- Aerospace and Automotive Industries: Advanced welding techniques, including robotic welding and high-precision TIG welding, are in demand for aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
Conclusion
Employers across North Carolina seek welders who possess technical skills, safety awareness, physical endurance, and teamwork abilities. With opportunities spanning manufacturing, construction, and specialty industries, skilled welders can find stable, high-paying employment throughout the state. By obtaining relevant certifications and continuously improving their craft, welders in North Carolina can secure fulfilling and lucrative careers in this essential trade.