Best Welding Schools in New York (2026)

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

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Best Welder Schools in New York

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

This page lists 10 schools within 54 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 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

Bergen Community College

Paramus, NJ 17.0 miles away BOC Score 63.9
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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

#3

Ocean County Vocational-Technical School

Toms River, NJ 51.2 miles away BOC Score 59.5
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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

#4

Apex Technical School

Long Island City, NY 3.9 miles away BOC Score 59.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 79.0%
  • Programs offered: 15
  • Annual completions: 3283
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,910 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Sussex County Community College

Newton, NJ 46.3 miles away 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

#6

Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah

Mahwah, NJ 26.7 miles away 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

#7

Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield

South Plainfield, NJ 24.1 miles away 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

#8

Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield

Bloomfield, NJ 12.8 miles away 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

#9

Porter & Chester Institute

Bridgeport, CT 54.5 miles away BOC Score 47.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 2578
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,863 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Passaic County Community College

Paterson, NJ 16.5 miles away 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 York

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 York.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
163.9Contact school for pricing$51,761Not reportedYes*17 mi
259.6Contact school for pricing$41,84381%16 mi
359.5Contact school for pricing$42,51068%51 mi
459.1Contact school for pricing$46,91079%4 mi
553.8Contact school for pricing$41,66240%Yes*46 mi
651.9Contact school for pricing$51,74274%27 mi
750.7Contact school for pricing$51,74276%24 mi
847.7Contact school for pricing$57,08061%13 mi
947.5Contact school for pricing$46,86347%Yes*54 mi
1038.3Contact school for pricing$47,35017%Yes*16 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in New York are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in New York 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 York
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welding Schools in New York (2026) (College Scorecard)Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield $57080; Bergen Community College $51761; Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield $51742; Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah $51742; Passaic County Community College $47350; Apex Technical School $46910.Universal Technical Institut...$57,080Bergen Community College$51,761Lincoln Technical Institute-...$51,742Lincoln Technical Institute-...$51,742Passaic County Community Col...$47,350Apex Technical School$46,910
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 York (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield$57,080
Bergen Community College$51,761
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield$51,742
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah$51,742
Passaic County Community College$47,350
Apex Technical School$46,910

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 York Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$59,140BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment8,310 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.32BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.9%BLS LAUS (2024)

Top Cities for Welder Training in New York

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

How to Become a Welder in New York

  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. In New York, the relevant credential is the Field Welder (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

Welding Licensing in New York

The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for welding-related work in New York:

  • Field Welder

License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.

Apprenticeship Programs in New York

In New York, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the New York 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 New York

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

In New York, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $59,140, about 8,310 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.32 (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 York

In New York, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $59,140 per year, and most earn between $43,840 and $87,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New York employs roughly 8,310 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.32 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving New York include Modern Welding School, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred, and Erie 1 BOCES. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in New York

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

Welder training in New York 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 York?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in New York earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,140. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $43,840 to $87,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

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

Licensing for welders in New York is administered by License and Certificate Unit, Bldg 12, Rm. 161. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)


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)