Best Welding Schools in Florida (2026)

Compare accredited Welder schools across Florida below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

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Best Welder Schools in Florida

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.

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.

#1

Fort Myers Technical College

Fort Myers, FL In-state option BOC Score 79.7
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 81.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 48
  • Annual completions: 1337
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,662 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Naples, FL In-state option BOC Score 74.4
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 99.0%
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 682
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,899 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Traviss Technical College

Lakeland, FL In-state option BOC Score 73.3
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 85.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 37
  • Annual completions: 651
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,755 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Treasure Coast Technical College

Vero Beach, FL In-state option BOC Score 73.2
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 271
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,449 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL In-state option BOC Score 72.4
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 97
  • Annual completions: 3062
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,224 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL In-state option BOC Score 68.6
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 115
  • Annual completions: 2383
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,615 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Marion Technical College

Ocala, FL In-state option BOC Score 68.1
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 76.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 46
  • Annual completions: 1133
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,674 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Northwest Florida State College

Niceville, FL In-state option BOC Score 67.0
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 40.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 79
  • Annual completions: 737
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,556 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, FL In-state option BOC Score 65.7
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 67
  • Annual completions: 1097
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,981 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

William T McFatter Technical College

Davie, FL In-state option BOC Score 64.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 63.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 44
  • Annual completions: 623
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,025 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Welder Schools in Florida

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 Florida.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
179.7Contact school for pricing$43,66282%Yes*In-state
274.4Contact school for pricing$41,89999%In-state
373.3Contact school for pricing$38,75586%In-state
473.2Contact school for pricing$53,449Not reportedIn-state
572.4Contact school for pricing$53,22435%Yes*In-state
668.6Contact school for pricing$47,61544%Yes*In-state
768.1Contact school for pricing$38,67476%Yes*In-state
867.0Contact school for pricing$52,55641%Yes*In-state
965.7Contact school for pricing$51,981Not reportedYes*In-state
1064.5Contact school for pricing$38,02564%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Florida are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Florida 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 Florida
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welding Schools in Florida (2026) (College Scorecard)Treasure Coast Technical College $53449; Florida State College at Jacksonville $53224; Northwest Florida State College $52556; Pasco-Hernando State College $51981; Indian River State College $47615; Fort Myers Technical College $43662.Treasure Coast Technical Col...$53,449Florida State College at Jac...$53,224Northwest Florida State Coll...$52,556Pasco-Hernando State College$51,981Indian River State College$47,615Fort Myers Technical College$43,662
Source: 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 Florida (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Treasure Coast Technical College$53,449
Florida State College at Jacksonville$53,224
Northwest Florida State College$52,556
Pasco-Hernando State College$51,981
Indian River State College$47,615
Fort Myers Technical College$43,662

Welder Pay and Job Outlook

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers annual wage by percentile: $39,240 at the 10th percentile, $53,750 median, $77,530 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers: 457,300 jobs in 2024 to 467,200 in 2034, +2.2% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Top-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers - Alaska leads at $80,840. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Florida Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$50,640BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment16,420 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.62BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.8%BLS LAUS (2025)

Top Cities for Welder Training in Florida

The cities below have the highest concentration of welder training programs and population centers within Florida. Click through for school listings near each:

Steps to Become a Welder in Florida

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass any required state or local exam.
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

Apprenticeship Programs in Florida

In Florida, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Florida Office of 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 Florida

Welders join metal parts using heat, pressure, and filler material in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and pipeline work.

In Florida, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $50,640, about 16,420 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.62 (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 Florida

In Florida, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $50,640 per year, and most earn between $39,200 and $70,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Florida employs roughly 16,420 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.62 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Florida include Fort Myers Technical College, Lorenzo Walker Technical College, and Traviss Technical College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in Florida

Licensing for Welder varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Florida 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 Florida involve?

Welder training in Florida 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 Florida?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in Florida earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,640. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $39,200 to $70,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Florida license or certification process for welders?

Licensing for welder work is handled at the state level in Florida. Consult Florida's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.


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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)