Welders in Kansas carry out various metal fabrication activities in various industries. These professionals are so versatile that they can work in an automotive company and secure positions in the manufacturing industry, renewable energy, and much more.
Candidates must meet certain steps and requirements to launch a successful welding career in Kansas. There are options along the way to consider, not only regarding education but also things like certification.
To ensure that candidates stay calm by these possibilities, we have broken down the specific criteria and conditions they will need to meet to start their careers on a proper footing below.
We explore the licensing categories, certification options, top programs, and much more.
How to Become a Welder in Kansas
The steps below are required to become a welder in Kansas:
Foundational Skills
Aspiring welders must be detail-oriented. This, along with manual dexterity and spatial awareness, are foundational skills that candidates must develop.
Most training programs and potential employers will also prefer candidates with a high school education or a GED equivalent.
Classroom Education
Welding training often begins with classroom education. This avenue prepares candidates for their real-world tasks by teaching them underlying principles.
Community colleges and vocational institutions offer excellent options that candidates in Kansas may consider. Later in the guide, we explore some top options.
Candidates may earn a certificate for faster training or an associate degree program for a more prestigious degree and robust education.
Work Experience
Lastly, after their education, aspiring welders in Kansas are expected to develop expertise in an actual work environment. Participating in an apprenticeship program can help candidates build upon their classroom education and understand what will be required when they eventually start working.
Some apprenticeship programs also offer payment as a salary for trainees.
Explore trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
The state of Kansas does not require welders to be licensed. Well-educated candidates can pursue job placement and start working professionally.
However, welders in the state will have to receive a general contractor’s license, which is not specific to welding, to take on their contracts. Candidates are not mandated to pursue certification and professional credentials, either.
However, it is common among welders to become certified by the American Welding Society. Certification from such an organization helps professionals maintain a high level of appeal to potential employers while networking with fellow certified professionals.
Naturally, becoming certified involves passing a certification examination. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is another top-class organization offering highly-rated credentials for welders in Kansas.
Top Welding Schools in Kansas
The following schools offer high-quality welding technology programs for candidates in Kansas to consider.
Salina Area Technical College
Salina, KS Campus Only
Salina Area Technical College has an associate degree program for welders that can be completed in around two years.
Tuition
$9,050 - $12,905 per ProgramContact
(785) 309-3153
tyler.johnson@salinatech.edu
WSU Tech
Wichita, KS Campus Only
WSU Tech offers high-quality technical training in various fields and sub-disciplines. For welders, the school offers several options ranging from a 60-hour Associate of Applied Science program to several certificates.
Tuition
$5,263 - $17,162 per ProgramContact
(316) 677-9680
kfowler1@wsutech.edu
Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS Campus Only
Lastly, Butler Community College in El Dorado is another top destination for high-quality welding training in Kansas.
Tuition
$72 - $163 per ProgramContact
(316) 323-6824
msgalbraith@butlercc.edu
Explore welding schools in Kansas by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Welders in Kansas, among the median earners, take home an average annual salary of $56,648. This data is obtained from a survey of professionals in the state carried out by the employment platform Indeed.
The same dataset showed that it is common for candidates to fall above or below these figures due to factors such as experience, location, and specialty.
Those who benefit from these factors can earn an annual average salary as high as $103,629 (putting them in the top earners category). Those who suffer from these factors can still take home around $30,966 per year (putting them in the bottom 10% of earners).
The best places to work for a relatively high annual average salary as a welder in Kansas include Overland Park, with an annual average salary of $100,409; Manhattan, KS, with an annual average salary of $80,262; and Lenexa, with an annual average salary of $71,953.