Best Welder Schools in Maryland

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

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Best Welder Schools in Maryland

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 5 schools within 52 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 5 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

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.

#1

York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education

York, PA 44.7 miles away BOC Score 77.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 89.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 830
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,902 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Lancaster County Career and Technology Center

Willow Street, PA 51.6 miles away BOC Score 64.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 82.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 326
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,037 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

North American Trade Schools

Baltimore, MD 7.4 miles away BOC Score 63.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 69.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 1448
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,948 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, VA 46.0 miles away BOC Score 62.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 3939
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,487 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia

Columbia, MD 14.4 miles away BOC Score 37.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 66.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 13
  • Annual completions: 1289
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,136 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Welder Schools in Maryland

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 Maryland.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
177.6Contact school for pricing$48,90290%45 mi
264.1Contact school for pricing$56,03782%52 mi
363.4Contact school for pricing$47,94869%7 mi
462.5Contact school for pricing$57,48735%Yes*46 mi
537.7Contact school for pricing$47,13666%14 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Maryland are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Maryland 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 Maryland
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welder Schools in Maryland (College Scorecard)Northern Virginia Community College $57487; Lancaster County Career and Technology Center $56037; York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education $48902; North American Trade Schools $47948; Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia $47136.Northern Virginia Community ...$57,487Lancaster County Career and ...$56,037York County School of Techno...$48,902North American Trade Schools$47,948Lincoln College of Technolog...$47,136
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 Welder Schools in Maryland
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Northern Virginia Community College$57,487
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center$56,037
York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education$48,902
North American Trade Schools$47,948
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia$47,136

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

Maryland Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$60,310BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment2,850 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.39BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.2%BLS LAUS (2024)

Top Cities for Welder Training in Maryland

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

How to Become a Licensed Welder in Maryland

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

Specific welder licensing rules vary in Maryland; verify current requirements with the relevant state agency before enrolling.

State Wage and Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 2,850 welders working in Maryland as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $60,310 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Maryland’s location quotient of 0.39 indicates jobs in this trade are less concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Apprenticeships in Maryland

In Maryland, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training (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.

Find Welder Programs Across Maryland

The cities below have local welder program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do welders need a license in Maryland?

Licensing requirements for welders vary across Maryland. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.

How long does welder training take in Maryland?

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.

What is the median wage for welders in Maryland?

BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $60,310 for this occupation in Maryland (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.

Welder Wages and Workforce in Maryland

In Maryland, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $60,310 per year, and most earn between $40,590 and $95,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Maryland employs roughly 2,850 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.39 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Maryland include North American Trade Schools, Wor-Wic Community College, and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in Maryland

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

Welder training in Maryland 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 Maryland?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in Maryland earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,310. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $40,590 to $95,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Maryland license or certification process for welders?

Licensing for welder work is handled at the state level in Maryland. Consult Maryland'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)