Select a program of interest to explore trade schools that match your goals.
Compare accredited Welder schools across Kansas below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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This page lists 5 schools within 46 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 5 of them carry a score.
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heartland Welding Academy | 59.7 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 92% | — | 11 mi |
| 2 | Hutchinson Community College | 57.3 | Contact school for pricing | $49,591 | 49% | Yes* | 42 mi |
| 3 | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | 54.7 | Contact school for pricing | $47,431 | Not reported | Yes* | 8 mi |
| 4 | Cowley County Community College | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $42,324 | 46% | Yes* | 46 mi |
| 5 | Butler Community College | 44.9 | Contact school for pricing | $46,569 | 31% | Yes* | 26 mi |
Schools closest to the main population center in Kansas are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Kansas 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.
| School | Median graduate earnings |
|---|---|
| Hutchinson Community College | $49,591 |
| Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | $47,431 |
| Butler Community College | $46,569 |
| Cowley County Community College | $42,324 |
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State median annual wage | $49,410 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State employment | 6,370 workers | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State location quotient | 1.66 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State unemployment rate | 3.5% | BLS LAUS (2024) |
The cities below have the highest concentration of welder training programs and population centers within Kansas. Click through for school listings near each:
Specific welder licensing rules vary in Kansas; verify current requirements with the relevant state agency before enrolling.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 6,370 welders working in Kansas as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $49,410 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Kansas’s location quotient of 1.66 indicates jobs in this trade are more concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
In Kansas, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Kansas 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. American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are widely recognized; Ironworkers, Boilermakers, and UA locals run welder apprenticeships.
The cities below have local welder program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:
Licensing requirements for welders vary across Kansas. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.
Typical certificate programs run 6 to 12 months, associate degrees take about 2 years, and registered apprenticeships generally last 3 to 5 years while paying on-the-job wages.
BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $49,410 for this occupation in Kansas (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.
In Kansas, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $49,410 per year, and most earn between $37,790 and $66,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Kansas employs roughly 6,370 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.66 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving Kansas include Salina Area Technical College, Flint Hills Technical College, and Washburn Institute of Technology. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Licensing for Welder varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Kansas 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).
Welder training in Kansas 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.
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in Kansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $49,410. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $37,790 to $66,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Licensing for welder work is handled at the state level in Kansas. Consult Kansas'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/.
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) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
