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California Welding Schools · 2026

Best Welding Schools in California

Welding schools in California awarded 2,580 welding credentials at 64 colleges in 2022–23. Compare the verified welding programs in California below by credential, campus and cost.

By the Best Welding School editorial teamUpdated September 25, 2026How we ranked

Two welding students in helmets at a workbench, one guiding a MIG torch
Photo: Jeswin Thomas / Pexels

What Are the Best Welding Schools in California?

  • College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita) offers Welding Technology - AS and Welding Technology - Certificate of Achievement.
  • Butte College (Oroville) offers Welding Technology AS Degree and Welding Technology Certificate of Achievement.
  • Merced College (Merced) offers Welding Technology (AA) and Introductory Pipe Welding Technology (CE).
  • Resident tuition and fees run from $1,128 to $1,556 a year (2024–25).
  • Welding classes in California: 5 of the verified welding programs in California list evening or weekend sections.
  • California welders earn a median $58,060 a year (BLS, May 2025).

College of the Canyons Leads the California Welding School Rankings

#CollegeTuition and feesWelding awardsGraduation rate
1College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita$1,16636 certificates, 10 associate45%
2Butte CollegeOroville$1,356110 certificates, 11 associate45%
3Merced CollegeMerced$1,200167 certificates, 8 associate36%
4Yuba CollegeMarysville$1,12819 certificates, 8 associate40%
5El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance$1,14410 certificates, 9 associate42%
6American River CollegeSacramento$1,288105 certificates, 11 associate37%
7Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana$1,18047 certificates, 10 associate31%
8Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut$1,36440 certificates, 9 associate45%
9Chabot CollegeHayward$1,15018 certificates, 1 associate47%
10Las Positas CollegeLivermore$1,16817 certificates, 3 associate53%
11Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles$1,23851 certificates, 5 associate35%
12Cerritos CollegeNorwalk$1,364225 certificates, 53 associate31%
13Advanced Career InstituteVisalia274 certificates
14Summit CollegeSan Bernardino244 certificates
15Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaLong Beach207 certificates
16Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento$1,28823 certificates, 7 associate40%
17Universal Technical Institute of California IncRancho Cucamonga191 certificates
18Pasadena City CollegePasadena$1,1808 certificates, 2 associate48%
19Reedley CollegeReedley$1,33437 certificates, 3 associate42%
20Modesto Junior CollegeModesto$1,28242 certificates, 7 associate30%
21College of the SequoiasTulare$1,39433 certificates, 8 associate39%
22CET-San DiegoSan Diego88 certificates
23Fresno City CollegeFresno$1,33474 certificates, 21 associate24%
24Los Medanos CollegePittsburg$1,3129 certificates, 7 associate41%
25Napa Valley CollegeNapa$1,1562 certificates, 3 associate43%
26Tri-Community Adult EducationCovina55 certificates
27Long Beach City CollegeLong Beach$1,55644 certificates, 22 associate30%
28Palo Verde CollegeBlythe$1,28835 certificates, 1 associate31%
29Institute of TechnologyClovis35 certificates
30CET-ColtonColton35 certificates
31Hacienda La Puente Adult EducationLa Puente31 certificates
32Solano Community CollegeFairfield$1,1724 certificates, 3 associate36%
33San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton$1,18023 certificates35%
34Glendale Community CollegeGlendale$1,1916 certificates, 1 associate37%
35Fullerton CollegeFullerton$1,15015 certificates34%
36Riverside City CollegeRiverside$1,42825 certificates, 4 associate37%
37Laney CollegeOakland$1,25810 certificates, 4 associate31%
38Coalinga CollegeCoalinga$1,38416 certificates43%
39San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino$1,1961 certificate, 3 associate28%
40Madera Community CollegeMadera$1,3784 certificates, 3 associate35%
41Sierra CollegeRocklin$1,4467 certificates42%
42Columbia CollegeSonora$1,2827 certificates27%
43Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier$1,3887 certificates, 1 associate25%

Welding programs in California, ranked by the method below. Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time resident rate and graduation rate is college-wide (NCES College Navigator). Welding awards are credentials conferred in welding (IPEDS). Blank cells mean no federal figure for that college.

How We Ranked California Welding Schools

Each California college with a verified, current welding program page gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, welding awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest resident tuition and fees for 2024–25), completion (25%, college-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or equipment, so visit the shop before you enroll.

Best Welding Schools in California by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards, Working Adults and Highest Completion

Top RankedCollege of the CanyonsScore 79 of 100 on size, cost, completion and credentialsLowest TuitionYuba College$1,128 a year, in-state (2024-2025)Most Welding AwardsCerritos College278 welding credentials in 2024-2025Working AdultsSummit CollegeEvening or weekend sections publishedHighest CompletionLas Positas College53% college-wide graduation rate

Welding Programs in California Near Covina, Fresno and Ontario

Welding classes in California are easiest to keep up with at a campus you can reach on lab days, so start with the city you can commute from. Each program is grouped with the nearest city guide within 45 miles.

  • CovinaSanta Ana College, Tri-Community Adult Education, Mt San Antonio College, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, Fullerton College, Pasadena City College and Rio Hondo College
  • FresnoAdvanced Career Institute, Reedley College, Fresno City College, College of the Sequoias, Institute of Technology and Madera Community College
  • OntarioSummit College, Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, Riverside City College, CET-Colton and San Bernardino Valley College
  • WillowbrookUniversal Technical Institute-Southern California, Cerritos College, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Long Beach City College and El Camino Community College District
  • Arden-ArcadeAmerican River College, Yuba College, Cosumnes River College and Sierra College
  • LodiSan Joaquin Delta College, Modesto Junior College, Las Positas College and Los Medanos College
  • Los AngelesCollege of the Canyons and Glendale Community College

Welding Schools in California, College by College

Santa ClaritaPublic, 2-year

1College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, California

Offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,166
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
46
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

OrovillePublic, 2-year

2Butte College, Oroville, California

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,356
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
121
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

MercedPublic, 2-year

3Merced College, Merced, California

Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,200
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
175
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication

MarysvillePublic, 2-year

4Yuba College, Marysville, California

Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding

  • Lowest Tuition in CA
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,128
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
27
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication · Robotic

TorrancePublic, 2-year

5El Camino Community College District, Torrance, California

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,144
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
19
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

SacramentoPublic, 2-year

6American River College, Sacramento, California

Offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,288
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
116
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

Santa AnaPublic, 4-year

7Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, California

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$1,180
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
57
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

WalnutPublic, 2-year

8Mt San Antonio College, Walnut, California

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,364
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
49
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored

HaywardPublic, 2-year

9Chabot College, Hayward, California

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,150
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
19
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

LivermorePublic, 2-year

10Las Positas College, Livermore, California

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,168
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
20
conferred 2024–25
Los AngelesPublic, 2-year

11Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Los Angeles, California

Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,238
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
56
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication

NorwalkPublic, 2-year

12Cerritos College, Norwalk, California

Offers an associate degree and 8 certificates in welding

  • Most Welding Awards in CA
  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$1,364
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
278
conferred 2024–25

Teaches TIG · Pipe · Fabrication

VisaliaPrivate for-profit, under 2-year

13Advanced Career Institute, Visalia, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
274
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

San BernardinoPrivate for-profit, under 2-year

14Summit College, San Bernardino, California

Offers one other award in welding

  • Evening Classes
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
244
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

Long BeachPrivate for-profit, 2-year

15Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, Long Beach, California

Offers one other award in welding

  • Certificate Program
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
207
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored

SacramentoPublic, 2-year

16Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, California

Offers 2 associate degrees and 3 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,288
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
30
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Inspection

Rancho CucamongaPrivate for-profit, 2-year

17Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, Rancho Cucamonga, California

Offers one other award in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
191
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

PasadenaPublic, 2-year

18Pasadena City College, Pasadena, California

Offers 3 associate degrees and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,180
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
10
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

ReedleyPublic, 2-year

19Reedley College, Reedley, California

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,334
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
40
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Fabrication

ModestoPublic, 4-year

20Modesto Junior College, Modesto, California

Offers an associate degree, a certificate and 3 other awards in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$1,282
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
49
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

TularePublic, 2-year

21College of the Sequoias, Tulare, California

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,394
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
41
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

San DiegoPrivate nonprofit, under 2-year

22CET-San Diego, San Diego, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
88
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

FresnoPublic, 2-year

23Fresno City College, Fresno, California

Offers 2 associate degrees, 6 certificates and one other award in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,334
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
95
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

PittsburgPublic, 2-year

24Los Medanos College, Pittsburg, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Weekend Classes
Tuition / year
$1,312
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
16
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

NapaPublic, 2-year

25Napa Valley College, Napa, California

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,156
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
5
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

CovinaPublic, 2-year

26Tri-Community Adult Education, Covina, California

Offers 2 other awards in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
2
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
55
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

Long BeachPublic, 2-year

27Long Beach City College, Long Beach, California

Offers an associate degree and 8 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$1,556
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
66
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

BlythePublic, 2-year

28Palo Verde College, Blythe, California

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,288
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
36
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

ClovisPrivate for-profit, 2-year

29Institute of Technology, Clovis, California

Offers a diploma in welding

  • Diploma Program
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
35
conferred 2024–25
ColtonPrivate nonprofit, under 2-year

30CET-Colton, Colton, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
35
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

La PuentePublic, under 2-year

31Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, La Puente, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
31
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting

FairfieldPublic, 4-year

32Solano Community College, Fairfield, California

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$1,172
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
7
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Robotic

StocktonPublic, 2-year

33San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, California

Offers 4 certificates in welding

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$1,180
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
23
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

GlendalePublic, 2-year

34Glendale Community College, Glendale, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$1,191
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
7
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting

FullertonPublic, 2-year

35Fullerton College, Fullerton, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$1,150
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
15
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Inspection

RiversidePublic, 2-year

36Riverside City College, Riverside, California

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,428
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
29
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

OaklandPublic, 2-year

37Laney College, Oakland, California

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,258
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
14
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting

CoalingaPublic, 2-year

38Coalinga College, Coalinga, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$1,384
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
16
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication

San BernardinoPublic, 2-year

39San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, California

Offers an associate degree and 8 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$1,196
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
4
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

MaderaPublic, 2-year

40Madera Community College, Madera, California

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,378
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
7
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

RocklinPublic, 2-year

41Sierra College, Rocklin, California

Offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$1,446
all students, 2024–25
Welding awards
7
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

SonoraPublic, 2-year

42Columbia College, Sonora, California

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$1,282
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
7
conferred 2024–25
WhittierPublic, 4-year

43Rio Hondo College, Whittier, California

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,388
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
8
conferred 2024–25

Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.

Welding Classes in California: 5 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends

Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.

  • Summit CollegeDay and evening classes are available.
  • Advanced Career InstituteFour daily sessions: 6:00 AM-10:00 AM, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM, 2:30 PM-6:30 PM, 7:00 PM-11:00 PM; runs year-round
  • Merced CollegeMode of Study: Hybrid, On Campus
  • Butte CollegeTwo-semester sequence beginning each Fall; enrolls 50 students; program is impacted
  • Cerritos CollegeDay, evening, and weekend classes
  • CET-San Diego30 hours a week; usually finished in 8-9 months; open-entry admissions
  • Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeFull-time program, approximately 21 hours per week
  • Yuba CollegeSeveral courses run in one term only, e.g. WELD 40 (Spring only), WELD 50 (Fall only), WELD 83 (Summer Only).
  • Tri-Community Adult EducationCourses run 12-week terms. Completion based on student's pace.
  • Modesto Junior CollegeBoth day and evening classes are available.
  • Riverside City CollegeThis Program Pathway will allow a full-time student to complete this program in 12-18 months.
  • Mt San Antonio CollegeMost welding classes feature 1 hour of lecture; the remainder of class time, either 3 or 6 hours, is hands-on lab.

More Welding Programs in California: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials

Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.

  • CET-El Centro, El Centro49
  • Palomar College, San Marcos48
  • Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa41
  • Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest41
  • Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria36
  • Victor Valley College, Victorville36
  • Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo33
  • Antelope Valley Community College District, Lancaster28
  • CET-Watsonville, Watsonville26
  • Imperial Valley College, Imperial22
  • College of the Redwoods, Eureka21
  • Barstow Community College, Barstow20

What Welding School Costs in California: $1,128 to $1,556 a Year

Among the 35 California welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $1,128 at Yuba College to $1,556 at Long Beach City College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more. See the Welding School Cost in California guide for books, program length and how to cut costs.

SchoolCityTuition and fees, 2024–25
Yuba CollegeMarysville$1,128 (in-state)
Compton CollegeCompton$1,142 (in-state)
El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance$1,144 (in-state)
Chabot CollegeHayward$1,150 (in-state)
Fullerton CollegeFullerton$1,150 (in-state)
Napa Valley CollegeNapa$1,156 (in-state)

The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Welder Salary in California: The San Francisco Area Pays the Most

For pay by metro area and by welding job, see Welder Salary in California.

Metro areaMedian payTop 10% earn more thanWelding jobs
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont$64,320$99,9301,990
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara$64,140$92,3101,050
Vallejo$63,860$87,730280
Napa$62,890$87,48070
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad$62,560$82,4702,940
El Centro$58,350$90,93070
Salinas$58,240$89,330200
Bakersfield–Delano$57,360$78,710800
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom$57,290$79,9501,530
Santa Rosa–Petaluma$56,720$85,900260

Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California (26,060 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Welding Schools by City in California

Welding Schools in California: FAQ

How Much Do Welding Schools in California Cost?

Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the California colleges on this page run from $1,128 to $1,556 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in California?

California programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Summit College lists Welding (42 credit hours; 600 lab hours; 36 weeks (9 months)); Universal Technical Institute of California Inc lists Welding Technology (36 weeks); Advanced Career Institute lists Certificate of Completion (Welding) (760 clock hours (38 weeks)).

How Much Do Welders Make in California?

BLS estimates a median of $58,060 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California (May 2025), across 26,060 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,520 and the top 10% earn more than $81,940.

What Is the Best Welding School in California?

On federal data for program size, cost and completion, College of the Canyons ranks first among California colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Butte College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.

Are There Evening Welding Classes in California?

Yes. 5 welding schools in California publish evening or weekend sections, including Summit College, Cerritos College and Modesto Junior College.

How Many Welding Schools Are in California?

44 schools have a current welding program in California, each checked against the school's own program page, and 29 offer an associate degree.

What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in California?

Yuba College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among California welding schools with federal figures: $1,128 for a full-time year (in-state). Compton College ($1,142) and El Camino Community College District ($1,144) follow.

Which California Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?

American River College, Butte College and Cerritos College and 26 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.

Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in California?

Advanced Career Institute, American River College and Butte College and 16 other schools describe American Welding Society (AWS) testing or certification on their program pages. Each profile shows what the school offers.

Do I Need a Certification to Work as a Welder?

Many employers test welders on their own procedure before hiring. The American Welding Society's Certified Welder program is a performance test with no education or experience prerequisites, taken at an AWS Accredited Test Facility.

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A welder working at a machine in a busy factory

California · Salary

How Much Do Welders Make in California?

California welders earned a median $58,060 in May 2025. See pay in all 25 metro areas, from $64,320 in San Francisco to $46,850 in Visalia.

More on Welding in California

Welder Salary in CaliforniaBlogWelding School Cost in CaliforniaBlogLA Structural Welding CertificationBlogHow to Become a Welder in CaliforniaTraining, testing and payWelding Schools in FresnoCity guideWelding Schools in OntarioCity guideWelder Salary by StateBLS pay, May 2025Welding CertificationAWS Certified Welder and CWI

Sources

  1. Official welding program pages of the 43 California colleges above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
  4. American Welding Society, Certified Welder program.