Welding Schools in Arizona

Welders in Arizona are masters of metal fabrication, but no welder ever started their career with an innate knowledge of the field. Everyone must start by acquiring training and meeting a few requirements.

The guide below provides a concise yet highly detailed exploration of these key requirements. To ensure that candidates get proper training, we also outline the list of Arizona’s most prominent destinations for welding training.

After exploring the licensure and certification requirements, we round up the guide by looking at the salary projections for welders in the state based on a few important criteria, such as experience and location.

How to Become a Welder in Arizona

The following are the steps needed to become a welder in Arizona.

Have a High School Diploma or GED

A high school diploma or GED is crucial to becoming a welder in Arizona. This is not necessarily based on state law but on requirements set by employers, apprenticeships, and other training programs.

Acquire Relevant Skills

Future welders in Arizona are expected to be strong and in good physical condition. They are also expected to obtain relevant skills from a training arrangement.

The following are some worthy options.

Formal Academic Training

Formal welding training can be acquired through academic institutions such as vocational schools and community colleges. These programs teach introductory and advanced welding topics like safety practices and metal fabrication.

Ultimately, they also offer valuable certificates and associate degrees that make graduates more appealing to potential employers.

On-the-Job Training

In addition to their academic training, candidates may also receive training on the job from an apprenticeship or a willing employer.

The advantage here is the opportunity for mentorship and immersive, hands-on training right from the start. It is also possible for those who acquire training on the job to be paid for their contributions.

Certification

Lastly, fresh welders in Arizona may choose to become certified for better career opportunities. The following section dives deeper into the possible certification options for candidates to consider.

Explore Trades with Similar Paths:

• Become a masonry worker in Arizona

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Arizona, welders are not expected to obtain a license from the state or local bodies before starting their careers. The same applies to certification, but candidates often go for one anyway, thanks to the career benefits.

Among other things, certification opens the door for career growth through networking. It also appeals to most employers because it forces candidates to keep improving through continuing education and access to quality materials and resources.

The American Welding Society offers the most popular credentials across the country. This includes the Certified Welder credential and others in areas such as SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW.

Candidates who work with mechanical components may also consider the credentials the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) offers.

Top Welding Schools in Arizona

The following are some of the prominent welding schools in Arizona.

Other Notable Options

Other notable options include Maricopa Skill Center in Phoenix, North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology in Snowflake, Mesa High School in Mesa, and Central Arizona College in Coolidge.

Explore Welding Schools in Arizona by City:

• Welding Schools in Phoenix

Salary & Career Outlook

While plumbers in Arizona can earn as high as $69,710 in average salary at the end of every year, this figure mostly applies to those already at the top of the field, usually among the top 10%. The figure may be closer to $37,063 for those just starting**,** which is relevant to those in the bottom 10%.

Those who are in the middle point still manage an average salary of at least $50,830 at the end of every year.

Experience and location are two factors that play critical roles in determining the annual average salary of a welder in Arizona.

For instance, while Mesa is the highest paying city for welders in the state with an annual average salary of $55,118, welders in Phoenix and Glendale earn annual average salaries of $52,871 and $51,513, respectively. Casa Grande and Chandler follow These in the top five, with annual average salaries of $51,090 and $50,423, respectively.