Best Welding Schools in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Welders in Pennsylvania earn a median of $52,900 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited welder schools near Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Looking for welder schools in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania? The programs below combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $52,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Wilkes Barre Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$52,900BLS OEWS, May 2025
Pennsylvania pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$40,510 to $74,870BLS OEWS, May 2025
Scranton, PA metro median wage$49,090BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+2.2% growth, about 45,600 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment17,850 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Luzerne County unemployment rate4.5%BLS LAUS, 2024
Pennsylvania location quotient1.10BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Welder Career

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online Welding Programs Now Accepting Students in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania:

Welding Training Near Wilkes Barre

#2

Johnson College

Scranton, PA 18.6 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 51.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 304
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $51,602 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Schuylkill Technology Center

Frackville, PA 37.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 60.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 94
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $53,477 (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
Data Year: 2025 SOC: 51-4121 Source: BLS OEWS

Enrollment & Certification Pathway in Pennsylvania

Most students in Pennsylvania follow this process:

  1. Apply to an accredited welding school or trade program in Wilkes Barre.
  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/.