Compare accredited Welder schools across California below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Welder Schools in California
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in California.
Schools closest to the main population center in California are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in California is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Welder Schools in CaliforniaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Welding Schools in California (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Santa Ana College
$63,039
Las Positas College
$52,625
Mt San Antonio College
$51,460
Butte College
$51,432
Pasadena City College
$48,980
Modesto Junior College
$46,619
Welder Pay and Job Outlook
What welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazersTop-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
California Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$58,060
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
26,060 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.53
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
6.1%
BLS LAUS (2025)
Top Cities for Welder Training in California
The cities below have the highest concentration of welder training programs and population centers within California. Click through for school listings near each:
Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
Pass any required state or local exam. In California, the relevant credential is the Welding Contractor (CareerOneStop, 2025).
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
Welding Licensing in California
The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for welding-related work in California:
Welding Contractor
License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.
Apprenticeship Programs in California
In California, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years.
About Welding Careers in California
Welders join metal parts using heat, pressure, and filler material in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and pipeline work.
In California, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $58,060, about 26,060 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.53 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Career outlook varies by region and specialization. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for national projections and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the latest state and metropolitan area data.
Welder Wages and Workforce in California
In California, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $58,060 per year, and most earn between $44,520 and $81,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). California employs roughly 26,060 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.53 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving California include Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, Mt San Antonio College, and Las Positas College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Welder Training and Licensing in California
Licensing for Welder varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate California licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does welder training in California involve?
Welder training in California is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do welders earn in California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,060. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $44,520 to $81,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the California license or certification process for welders?
Licensing for welders in California is administered by Contractors State License Board. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
