Best Welding Schools in Hot Springs, Arkansas (2026)

Quick answer: Welders in Arkansas earn a median of $47,970 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited welder schools near Hot Springs, Arkansas with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

This guide rounds up welder schools serving Hot Springs, Arkansas and the local job-market figures worth checking first. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $47,970 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Hot Springs Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$47,970BLS OEWS, May 2025
Arkansas pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$37,380 to $62,830BLS OEWS, May 2025
Hot Springs, AR metro median wage$46,400BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+2.2% growth, about 45,600 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment6,150 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Garland County unemployment rate3.6%BLS LAUS, 2024
Arkansas location quotient1.76BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Welder Career

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online Welding Programs Now Accepting Students in Hot Springs, Arkansas:


Welding Training Near Hot Springs

#1

National Park College

Hot Springs, AR 0.9 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 736
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $45,799 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR 55.6 miles away
Tuition $8,508 - $21,536
Contact
  • Administration Bldg 200, 1509 N Boulder Ave Russellville, AR 72801-2222
  • (479) 968-0389
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 96.3%
  • Graduation rate: 48.8%
  • Programs offered: 61
  • Annual completions: 2447
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $49,759 (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

Enrollment & Certification Pathway in Arkansas

Most students in Arkansas follow this process:

  1. Apply to an accredited welding school or trade program in Hot Springs.
  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/.