Welding Schools in Indiana

The article below discusses everything an interested individual would need to know to begin a successful career as a welder in Indiana. It explores the various steps involved in the journey and makes recommendations concerning optional steps and those with multiple alternatives to achieve the same goal.

Candidates will also discover the licensing and certification conditions they must meet to perform their duties legally and take advantage of career growth opportunities. Later in the upcoming sections, we will also provide a list of the top welding schools in Indiana. Finally, we round up the guide by highlighting the annual average salary that an aspiring welder in the state can look up to based on a handful of factors such as experience and location.

How to Become a Welder in Indiana

Below are the key steps involved in any journey to become a welder in the state of Indiana.

High School Diploma or GED

An aspiring welder in Indiana should ideally possess a high school diploma or GED and a basic understanding of a few topics in mathematics. They will need this to not only secure admission into a training program but also keep up with and understand what they are being taught.

Enroll in a Training Program

The most important step in becoming a welder in Indiana is possessing the necessary skills to do the job. To obtain these skills, candidates must enroll in a training program. The particular program they choose to attend will depend on a handful of factors, including their preferred mode of training.

While vocational schools, technical schools, and community colleges all focus on classroom instruction with hands-on training, candidates may choose to acquire training on the job by working as apprentices to experienced welders.

Both have advantages, as academic programs offer valuable degrees and certificates, while apprenticeship programs offer mentorship and the opportunity to earn during training.

Practical Experience

Students who received their training in a formal academic program may obtain practical experience through internships, assistant positions, and even complementary apprenticeships.

Choosing a Specialty

Fresh welders would likely have a specialty area before obtaining certification. There are quite a few options in this regard, including arc welding (MIG, TIG, Stick), gas welding (oxy-acetylene), and pipe welding.

The American Welding Society offers several certification opportunities in several specialty areas.

Consider trades with similar paths:

• How to become a CNC machinist in Indiana

Top Welding Schools in Indiana

The following are some prominent welding schools in Indiana for candidates to consider.

Explore welding schools in Indiana by city:

• Welding schools in Indianapolis

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Aspiring welders in Indiana will be glad to know that the state has no state-wide licensing requirements for welders looking to practice professionally. Of course, municipalities can have their own requirements for specific projects to ensure that professionals adhere to building codes.

For this reason, it is always important to check with local building departments before embarking on major projects.

Even though certification is not mandatory, it can offer several advantages, including professional opportunities and a greater ease of securing employment.

As mentioned earlier, the American Welding Society is the country’s most significant organization offering certification for welders. To obtain a license from the organization, candidates must pass the certification examination in their preferred specialty area.

Salary & Career Outlook

While the annual average salary of a welder in Indiana can get as high as $62,528 (if they’re among the top 10% earners), it is also possible for it to be as low as $33,403 (if they’re among the bottom 10% earners). Generally, though, an average welder in the state is expected to earn closer to $45,701 in annual average salary.

The conditions that will influence where a welder in Indiana falls on the salary scale include where they work, their areas of specialty, how long they’ve been in their careers, and their location within the state.

Grouping by experience, we find that based on this criterion alone, a welder with a year of experience in the state may earn close to $48,456 on average every year. In contrast, those with 10 years of experience may earn closer to $52,219 within the same time frame.

Middlebury is the highest-paying location to be a welder in Indiana, with an annual average salary of $147,339. It is followed by Gary ($47,261), South Bend ($45,395), and Jeffersonville ($10). Fort Wayne rounds up the top five with an annual average salary of $44,087.