How to Become a Welder in Michigan
- Train at one of the 30 welding schools in Michigan that award welding credentials; a certificate takes months, an associate degree about two years.
- Practice the core processes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, blueprint reading, plus blueprint reading and cutting.
- Pass a weld test: an employer's procedure test or the AWS Certified Welder test at an accredited facility.
- Start work: Michigan welders earn a median $49,990 a year, with the top 10% above $70,200 (BLS, May 2025).
Where to Train as a Welder in Michigan, Starting With Washtenaw Community College
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor | $2,736 | 76 certificates, 27 associate | 33% |
| 2 | Delta CollegeUniversity Center | $4,820 | 76 certificates, 12 associate | 27% |
| 3 | Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids | $4,179 | 44 certificates, 13 associate | 21% |
| 4 | Lansing Community CollegeLansing | $4,100 | 27 certificates, 14 associate | 25% |
| 5 | Southwestern Michigan CollegeNiles | $6,417 | 28 certificates, 5 associate | 38% |
| 6 | Kirtland Community CollegeGrayling | $5,190 | 20 certificates, 6 associate | 34% |
| 7 | Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids | $14,778 | 44 associate | 47% |
| 8 | Monroe County Community CollegeMonroe | $4,759 | 5 certificates, 4 associate | 34% |
| 9 | MIAT College of TechnologyCanton | $17,943 | 65 certificates | |
| 10 | Macomb Community CollegeWarren | $3,660 | 41 certificates | 18% |
| 11 | Schoolcraft Community College DistrictLivonia | $4,736 | 6 certificates, 6 associate | 18% |
| 12 | Mott Community CollegeFlint | $6,845 | 2 certificates, 8 associate | 32% |
| 13 | Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills | $3,020 | 12 certificates | 21% |
| 14 | Mid Michigan CollegeHarrison | $6,132 | 30 certificates | 28% |
| 15 | St Clair County Community CollegePort Huron | $5,212 | 3 associate | 34% |
| 16 | Wayne County Community College DistrictDetroit | $3,112 | 1 associate | 22% |
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.
Michigan Programs That Train Welders
Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $2,736 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 103 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Delta College, University Center, Michigan
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,820 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 88 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Fabrication
MIAT College of Technology, Canton, Michigan
Offers one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $17,943 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 65 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
Offers an associate degree and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $14,778 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 44 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Fabrication · Robotic · Inspection
Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,179 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 57 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
Lansing Community College, Lansing, Michigan
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,100 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 41 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
How to Become a Welder in Michigan, Step by Step
Pick a Certificate or an Associate Degree
A certificate concentrates on shop time and gets you to entry-level work fastest. An associate degree adds advanced processes, metallurgy, inspection and general education, which helps if you're aiming for pipe work, inspection or supervision later. Michigan colleges conferred 581 welding certificates and 181 associate degrees in 2022–23.
Learn the Processes Employers Test
Michigan programs on this page most often list SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, blueprint reading, fabrication, metallurgy. Structural work leans on stick and flux-core; pipe and precision work add TIG.
Pass a Weld Test
The AWS Certified Welder program tests you on a specific procedure and code at an AWS Accredited Test Facility, with no education or experience prerequisites. Many employers run their own procedure test instead, so ask which one the jobs you want require.
Build Experience and Pay
Pay grows with the processes and positions you can pass tests in. After years on the job, some welders move into inspection through the AWS Certified Welding Inspector program, which requires work experience plus three exams.
Compare welding careers · Welding certification guide · Compare welding schools in Michigan
Welder Salary in Michigan: The Bay City Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | $57,760 | $85,430 | 130 |
| Ann Arbor | $54,180 | $77,310 | 220 |
| Battle Creek | $52,970 | $60,730 | 210 |
| Detroit–Warren–Dearborn | $51,810 | $75,760 | 4,580 |
| Lansing–East Lansing | $50,370 | $74,080 | 370 |
| Jackson | $49,790 | $93,140 | 130 |
| Monroe | $49,570 | $70,460 | 240 |
| Traverse City | $49,420 | $67,160 | 130 |
| Niles | $49,040 | $70,710 | 230 |
| Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood | $48,920 | $63,030 | 2,520 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Michigan (13,330 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How to Become a Welder in Michigan: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Michigan Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Michigan colleges on this page run from $2,736 to $17,943 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Michigan?
Michigan programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Washtenaw Community College lists Welding Technology, AAS (66 credit hours) and Welding and Fabrication Principles, Certificate (24 credit hours); Delta College lists Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science (74 credit hours) and Welding Technology, Advanced Certificate (42 credit hours); Grand Rapids Community College lists Welding Technology, A.A.A.S. (60 credit hours (minimum)).
How Much Do Welders Make in Michigan?
BLS estimates a median of $49,990 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Michigan (May 2025), across 13,330 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,090 and the top 10% earn more than $70,200.
What Is the Best Welding School in Michigan?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Washtenaw Community College ranks first among Michigan colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Delta College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
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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More on Welding in Michigan
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 16 Michigan colleges above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- American Welding Society, Certified Welder program.