Best Welding Schools in New Jersey (2026)

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

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Best Welder Schools in New Jersey

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

Bergen Community College

Paramus, NJ In-state option BOC Score 63.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 323
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,761 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Ocean County Vocational-Technical School

Toms River, NJ In-state option BOC Score 59.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 67.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 38
  • Annual completions: 461
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,510 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Camden County College

Blackwood, NJ In-state option BOC Score 55.1
Tuition $4,320 - $12,535
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.0%
  • Programs offered: 51
  • Annual completions: 1122
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,466 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Sussex County Community College

Newton, NJ In-state option BOC Score 53.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 40.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 24
  • Annual completions: 137
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,662 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah

Mahwah, NJ In-state option BOC Score 51.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 73.6%
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 1349
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,742 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

South Plainfield, NJ In-state option BOC Score 50.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 76.5%
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 430
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,742 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield

Bloomfield, NJ In-state option BOC Score 47.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 60.9%
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 1114
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,080 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Passaic County Community College

Paterson, NJ In-state option BOC Score 38.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 17.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 34
  • Annual completions: 382
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,350 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Welder Schools in New Jersey

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 New Jersey.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
163.9Contact school for pricing$51,761Not reportedYes*In-state
261.2Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedIn-state
359.6Contact school for pricing$41,84381%In-state
459.5Contact school for pricing$42,51068%In-state
555.1$4,320 - $12,535$55,46632%Yes*In-state
653.8Contact school for pricing$41,66240%Yes*In-state
751.9Contact school for pricing$51,74274%In-state
850.7Contact school for pricing$51,74276%In-state
947.7Contact school for pricing$57,08061%In-state
1038.3Contact school for pricing$47,35017%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in New Jersey are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welding Schools in New Jersey (2026) (College Scorecard)Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield $57080; Camden County College $55466; Bergen Community College $51761; Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah $51742; Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield $51742; Passaic County Community College $47350.Universal Technical Institut...$57,080Camden County College$55,466Bergen Community College$51,761Lincoln Technical Institute-...$51,742Lincoln Technical Institute-...$51,742Passaic County Community Col...$47,350
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 New Jersey (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield$57,080
Camden County College$55,466
Bergen Community College$51,761
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah$51,742
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield$51,742
Passaic County Community College$47,350

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

New Jersey Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$59,440BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment3,730 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.33BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate4.8%BLS LAUS (2024)

Top Cities for Welder Training in New Jersey

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

Steps to Become a Welder in New Jersey

  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 New Jersey

In New Jersey, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - 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 New Jersey

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

In New Jersey, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $59,440, about 3,730 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.33 (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 New Jersey

In New Jersey, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $59,440 per year, and most earn between $43,290 and $81,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New Jersey employs roughly 3,730 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.33 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving New Jersey include Bergen Community College, Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education, and Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in New Jersey

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

Welder training in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,440. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $43,290 to $81,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the New Jersey license or certification process for welders?

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