Welders in Georgia are in charge of fabricating functional structures with metal. Among other things, they can properly position and restrain metal components while using flame sources to yield beautiful welds.
A great deal of training goes into such a profession, and aspiring welders in Georgia must be prepared to go through one themselves. Below, we provide a broad overview of the training requirements for future welders in Georgia.
We also provide details about other requirements while giving candidates a list of possible top programs in the state to consider.
How to Become a Welder in Georgia
Aspiring welders in Georgia must follow the steps below to kick-start their careers.
Getting Ready for Training
The first step to becoming a welder in Georgia is to prepare for admission into a training program. Candidates can qualify by having their high school diploma or GED sent to the training destination of choice. Additionally, they may brush up on specific foundational courses such as algebra, mathematics, and geometry.
Choosing a Training Destination
All aspiring welders in Georgia must choose not just the institution they wish to attend but also the kind of structure. For instance, candidates may choose to learn in an academic environment like a community college or vocational school, and they may also choose to learn from an apprenticeship program.
It is also possible to combine both training paradigms and gain the best of both worlds.
Academic Programs vs Apprenticeships
Academic programs and apprenticeships offer acceptable destinations to start a welding career in Georgia. However, the significant difference is that while educational programs focus on a classroom structure, apprenticeships prioritize hands-on training in a workshop environment.
Additionally, apprenticeship programs tend to last longer.
Candidates who receive training from academic programs may graduate with a certificate or an associate degree.
Certification
Lastly, to begin their career and set themselves apart from the competition, aspiring welders in Georgia may also consider obtaining certification from the American Welding Society. We look at some of the most popular credentials to apply for.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Welders in Georgia do not have to acquire a license on a statewide level. Certification, on the other hand, while not mandatory, can be beneficial. Employers, for instance, tend to gravitate more toward hiring certified welders.
As mentioned earlier, the American Welding Society is the most popular certifying body for welders in Georgia. The organization offers a certified welder credential to interested individuals. Candidates who apply for this location must pass an exam and renew their license every year.
Experience welders may also go for the Senior Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Educator, or Certified Welding Supervisor credentials, among others.
Top Welding Schools in Georgia
Below are some of the most prominent training destinations for aspiring welders in Georgia.
Georgia Trade School
Georgia Trade School has a reputation for producing successful graduates in trade and technology programs, including welding. Applicants of this program will be glad to know that they can enroll in full-time or part-time arrangements, depending on their schedule and availability.
By the time they graduate, they will have all the skills they need to secure employment, along with the knowledge of practical applications of essential topics.
Southern Crescent Technical College
Southern Crescent Technical College offers training for high school students and adults looking to start a career in welding. As with all such programs, the school provides a high level of flexibility, including day and evening classes.
The program can be completed between 6 to 12 months, depending on the schedule. Graduates will earn a certificate in welding and joining technology.
Augusta Technical College
Augusta Technical College offers a certificate in piperidine and another certificate in shielded metal arc welding. These programs can be completed within one to two years of training.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions include Polk County College and Career Academy, Chattahoochee Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, Albany Technical College, Athens Technical College, and Lanier Technical College.
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Salary & Career Outlook
In Georgia, welders make an annual average salary of $42,309. This is based on data provided by 1000 welders surveyed in the state. Those who fall into the top 10% make $55,346 on average every year, while those who fall into the bottom 10% earn an annual average salary of $32,343.
Some factors that decide where a welder in Georgia will fall in the earning bracket include experience, location, and the company of employment, among others.
Sorting by location, Jefferson is the highest-paying city for welders in Georgia. The city has an annual average salary of $48,816. This is followed by Gainesville and Rome, with average yearly wages of $43,520 and $42,314.
Welders in Newnan and Augusta earn annual average salaries of $41,969 and $41,372.
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