Best Welding Schools in Ponca City, Oklahoma (2026)

Quick answer: Welders in Oklahoma earn a median of $49,720 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited welder schools near Ponca City, Oklahoma with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Several training options serve welder students near Ponca City, Oklahoma, from short certificates to longer hands-on programs. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $49,720 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Ponca City Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$49,720BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oklahoma pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$37,860 to $70,640BLS OEWS, May 2025
Top-paying Oklahoma metro for this fieldTulsa, OK, $53,550BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+2.2% growth, about 45,600 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment9,960 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Kay County unemployment rate3.5%BLS LAUS, 2024
Oklahoma location quotient2.18BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Welder Career

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online Welding Programs Now Accepting Students in Ponca City, Oklahoma:


Welding Training Near Ponca City

#1

Pioneer Technology Center

Ponca City, OK 1.5 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 72.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 239
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $37,175 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, KS 23.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 790
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $42,324 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Meridian Technology Center

Stillwater, OK 42.7 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 53.5%
  • Programs offered: 51
  • Annual completions: 718
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $39,328 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Autry Technology Center

Enid, OK 50.3 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 60.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 44
  • Annual completions: 462
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $44,150 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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 Oklahoma

Most students in Oklahoma follow this process:

  1. Apply to an accredited welding school or trade program in Ponca City.
  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/.