Best Welder Schools in Pennsylvania

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

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Best Welder Schools in Pennsylvania

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

This page lists 5 schools within 19 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.

#2

Camden County College

Blackwood, NJ 13.4 miles away 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

#3

Delaware County Community College

Media, PA 12.1 miles away BOC Score 50.1
Tuition $6,930 - $15,540
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 22.2%
  • Programs offered: 48
  • Annual completions: 699
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,647 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

All-State Career School

Essington, PA 9.1 miles away BOC Score 41.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 1851
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,534 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Philadelphia Technician Training

Philadelphia, PA 7.7 miles away BOC Score 19.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 540
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $33,267 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Welder Schools in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
161.2Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reported19 mi
255.1$4,320 - $12,535$55,46632%Yes*13 mi
350.1$6,930 - $15,540$56,64722%Yes*12 mi
441.9Contact school for pricing$48,53449%9 mi
519.7Contact school for pricing$33,267Not reported8 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Pennsylvania are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Welder Schools in Pennsylvania (College Scorecard)Delaware County Community College $56647; Camden County College $55466; All-State Career School $48534; Philadelphia Technician Training $33267.Delaware County Community Co...$56,647Camden County College$55,466All-State Career School$48,534Philadelphia Technician Trai...$33,267
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 Pennsylvania
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Delaware County Community College$56,647
Camden County College$55,466
All-State Career School$48,534
Philadelphia Technician Training$33,267

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

Pennsylvania Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$52,900BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment17,850 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.10BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.8%BLS LAUS (2024)

Top Cities for Welder Training in Pennsylvania

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

How to Become a Licensed Welder in Pennsylvania

  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 Pennsylvania; verify current requirements with the relevant state agency before enrolling.

State Wage and Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 17,850 welders working in Pennsylvania as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $52,900 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Pennsylvania’s location quotient of 1.10 indicates jobs in this trade are more concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Apprenticeships in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - 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. American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are widely recognized; Ironworkers, Boilermakers, and UA locals run welder apprenticeships.

Find Welder Programs Across Pennsylvania

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do welders need a license in Pennsylvania?

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

How long does welder training take in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania?

BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $52,900 for this occupation in Pennsylvania (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.

Welder Wages and Workforce in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, Welder programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $52,900 per year, and most earn between $40,510 and $74,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pennsylvania employs roughly 17,850 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.10 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Pennsylvania include York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, and Welder Training and Testing Institute. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Welder Training and Licensing in Pennsylvania

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

Welder training in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), welders in Pennsylvania earned a median annual wage of approximately $52,900. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $40,510 to $74,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Pennsylvania license or certification process for welders?

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