Best Welding Schools in Golden Valley, Minnesota (2026)

Comparing welder schools in Golden Valley, Minnesota starts with the local labor market and the credentials each program offers. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $60,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Golden Valley Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$60,280BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment9,270 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Hennepin County unemployment rate2.8%BLS LAUS, 2024
Minnesota location quotient1.17BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online Welding Programs Now Accepting Students in Golden Valley, Minnesota:


Welding Training Near Golden Valley

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 Minnesota

Most students in Minnesota follow this process:

  1. Apply to an accredited welding school or trade program in Golden Valley.
  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/.