The Combination Welder program prepares students for a position in the world of welding. This is a highly intensive program that teaches both basic and advanced welding skills. Courses utilize hands-on training that give you real-world experience. Each section of the program lasts approximately 11 weeks.

The Combination Welder program consists of a combination of Fundamentals of Welding, Maintenance Welding, and Pipe Welding. Fundamentals of Welding must be completed before beginning Maintenance Welding or Pipe Welding.


Tuition and Fees

Program	Cost
Fundamentals of Welding	$2,513
Maintenance Welding	$2,310
Pipe Welding	$2,464

Welding As A Career The median wage for welders is $17.27/hourly or $35,920/annually. The pay is often on a hourly basis and overtime is readily available for those who wish to gain extra earnings. Many industries provide lodging, meal allowances, and other incentives. Mastering more welding processes also allows one to gain more earnings.  Overall, experience, education, and specialization give welders the opportunity to make extra income! Most job opportunities are found within fabricated metal product manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, and construction. With training and experience, there is much room for advancement within welding. Many become welding technicians, supervisors, inspectors, and instructors. Welding engineering is also an opportunity for those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree.

Job Outlook According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national statistics report a 10-19% growth rate for welders, with a projected 337,000 jobs opening over the next ten years. Many opportunities are available as an increase in retired welders creates a shortage of qualified individuals. Many sectors of the economy depend upon an increasingly skill-extensive welding industry. Automobiles, aircrafts, bridges and highways, and oil and natural gas pipelines are only a few examples. A growing emphasis on environmentally conscious enterprises, growth in oil and gas industries, and increasing amount of products relying on efficient welding provides numerous ventures for an individual to pursue.   Automation is not as much of a threat to welders as it is to other occupations within manufacturing. Experienced welders are still needed to operate machines, inspect welds, and make adjustments. Also, only simple welds may be automated. Individuals must still perform custom jobs.