Best Welding Schools in Bessemer, Alabama (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Welders in Alabama earn a median of $48,490 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited welder schools near Bessemer, Alabama with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Choosing a welder program near Bessemer, Alabama comes down to accreditation, schedule, and how each school prepares you for the field. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $48,490 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Bessemer Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$48,490BLS OEWS, May 2025
Alabama pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$36,710 to $66,820BLS OEWS, May 2025
Birmingham, AL metro median wage$49,930BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+2.2% growth, about 45,600 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment12,450 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Jefferson County unemployment rate3.1%BLS LAUS, 2024
Alabama location quotient2.20BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Welder Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Bessemer. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Jefferson County and Alabama figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Affordable Online Welding Programs Now Accepting Students in Bessemer, Alabama:

Welding Training Near Bessemer

#1

Lawson State Community College

Birmingham, AL 7.2 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 26.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 40
  • Annual completions: 477
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $44,506 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Birmingham, AL 7.8 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 330
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $39,556 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Bevill State Community College

Jasper, AL 35.3 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 40.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 2137
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $51,972 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Shelton State Community College

Tuscaloosa, AL 38.0 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 25.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 1119
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $50,082 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Welder Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $53,750 $25.84 per hour
Job Outlook 2.2% 9,900 jobs (2024–2034)
45,600 openings/yr
Data Year: 2025 SOC: 51-4121 Source: BLS OEWS

Enrollment & Certification Pathway in Alabama

Most students in Alabama follow this process:

  1. Apply to an accredited welding school or trade program in Bessemer.
  2. Complete hands-on labs, pass bend and visual tests, and earn AWS certifications that match your goals.
  3. Gain experience through shop work, construction, or fabrication roles - then pursue NCCER or advanced AWS credentials.

Welder Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $53,750 $25.84/hr
Average Salary $56,760 $27.29/hr

Salary Range

$39,240 10th pctl
$53,750 Median
$77,530 90th pctl
10th Percentile $39,240 $18.87/hr
25th Percentile $46,790 $22.50/hr
75th Percentile $63,010 $30.29/hr
90th Percentile $77,530 $37.28/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed416,210
Growth (2024-2034)2.2%
Annual Openings45,600
Jobs per 1,0002.7

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes

Next Steps

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.