Welding Schools in Alabama

Anyone looking to start a career in a field requiring critical thinking, a high level of dexterity, and problem-solving while offering consistent demand and a competitive salary would do well considering the field of welding. The field offers a straightforward entry path in Alabama thanks to minimum government requirements and several top-class training destinations.

In the upcoming sections, we provide a detailed outlook of the requirements needed to become a welder in Alabama. Candidates looking for the best possible training will also find a list of notable programs to consider.

The guide also encompasses licensure requirements, certification options, and salary projections.

How to Become a Welder in Alabama

Below are the requirements for becoming a welder in Alabama.

Step 1: Have a High School Diploma or GED

Candidates looking to become a welder in Alabama must have a high school diploma or GED to prepare for their training enrollments. Some employers and apprenticeships will also ask to see a candidate’s high school transcripts before they can be offered employment/admission.

Step 2: Secure a Training Spot

To acquire the actual skills needed to become a welder, candidates may consult two sources: academic institutions and apprenticeships.

Academic training for welders in Alabama is unique because it is offered by accredited postsecondary institutions capable of issuing valuable certificates and degrees.

Possessing such credentials alone may be enough to set candidates apart from the field during the employment search. Additionally, academic training programs offer a wonderful experience for comprehensive classroom training with a few hands-on sessions.

Step 3: Gain Experience on the Job

While academic training programs offer a wonderful experience for comprehensive classroom training with a few hands-on sessions, it is still important for candidates in Alabama to receive strong training on the job to become familiar with their real-world duties as early as possible.

For this reason, internships and apprenticeship programs are also popular alternatives. While they are enough in themselves, it is common to see students combining academic training with apprenticeship training on the job.

Step 4: Secure Placement

Lastly, candidates who have fulfilled all of the listed requirements may then go on to secure employment. Welders in Alabama may work in several specialty areas and industries, including construction and shipbuilding.

Explore Trades with Similar Paths:

• Become an electrician in Alabama

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Like most states in the country, the government of Alabama has no licensing requirements for anyone looking to become a welder. The government has no certification requirements, but most employers only hire certified ones.

One of the reasons for this is that certification shows that candidates possess the level of expertise required to carry out their duties to the highest point.

Welders in Alabama who wish to become certified may consider obtaining credentials from the American Welding Society, which offers credentials such as the Certified Welder and Certified Welding Educator, among others.

Another noteworthy organization is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which offers welders in mechanical specialties credentials.

Top Welding Schools in Alabama

Below are some of Alabama’s most prominent training programs for future welders.

Explore Welding Schools in Wisconsin by City:

• Welding Schools in Huntsville

Salary & Career Outlook

Welders in Alabama take home an average salary of at least $46,506 every year – if they are among the average earners in the state. If they are among the highest paid, they will most likely take home a general average salary of at least $66,754, while they will mostly make an annual average salary of $32,400 if they are among the lowest paid.

Factors that separate the highest from the lowest-paid in the state include experience level, location, specialty area, and type of employer.

Candidates who would like to know the best places to work as welders in Alabama based on salary alone should consider Birmingham, with an annual average salary of $54,800; Theodore, with an annual average salary of $54,433; and Mobile, with an annual average salary of $54,044.

They may also consider Madison, with an annual average salary of $46,438; and Fort Payne, with an annual average salary of $45,646.