How to Become a Welder in Oklahoma
- Train at one of the 29 welding schools in Oklahoma that award welding credentials; a certificate takes months, an associate degree about two years.
- Practice the core processes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, 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: Oklahoma welders earn a median $49,720 a year, with the top 10% above $70,640 (BLS, May 2025).
Where to Train as a Welder in Oklahoma, Starting With Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa Welding School-TulsaTulsa | 549 certificates, 42 associate | ||
| 2 | Indian Capital Technology Center-MuskogeeCoweta | 134 certificates | ||
| 3 | Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlesterAtoka | 127 certificates | ||
| 4 | Tulsa Technology CenterBroken Arrow | 77 certificates | ||
| 5 | Meridian Technology CenterStillwater | 48 certificates | ||
| 6 | Canadian Valley Technology CenterChickasha | 47 certificates | ||
| 7 | Pontotoc Technology CenterAda | 30 certificates | ||
| 8 | Central Technology CenterDrumright | 28 certificates | ||
| 9 | Red River Technology CenterDuncan | 28 certificates | ||
| 10 | Northeast Technology CenterPryor | 27 certificates | ||
| 11 | Southern Oklahoma Technology CenterArdmore | 22 certificates | ||
| 12 | Oklahoma Technical CollegeTulsa | 12 certificates |
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.
Oklahoma Programs That Train Welders
Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 591 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Inspection
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee, Coweta, Oklahoma
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 134 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Fabrication
Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester, Atoka, Oklahoma
Offers 4 certificates in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 4 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 127 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
Northeast Technology Center, Pryor, Oklahoma
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 27 conferred 2024–25
Tulsa Technology Center, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 77 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 48 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · Flux-cored · 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 Oklahoma, 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. Oklahoma colleges conferred 1,376 welding certificates and 42 associate degrees in 2022–23.
Learn the Processes Employers Test
Oklahoma programs on this page most often list SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, blueprint reading, fabrication. 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 Oklahoma
Welder Salary in Oklahoma: The Tulsa Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $53,550 | $72,740 | 4,520 |
| Lawton | $49,720 | $79,200 | 80 |
| Enid | $49,090 | $80,530 | 90 |
| Oklahoma City | $48,760 | $70,640 | 2,200 |
| Fort Smith | $46,630 | $58,140 | 400 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Oklahoma (9,960 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How to Become a Welder in Oklahoma: FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester lists Structural Welder (480 clock hours) and Welder/Fitter (600 clock hours); Meridian Technology Center lists Structural Welder (600 clock hours); Canadian Valley Technology Center lists Pipe/Structural Welder/Fitter (OCAS 9707/9708) (960 clock hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Oklahoma?
BLS estimates a median of $49,720 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Oklahoma (May 2025), across 9,960 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,860 and the top 10% earn more than $70,640.
What Is the Best Welding School in Oklahoma?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa ranks first among Oklahoma colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee. 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 Oklahoma
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 12 Oklahoma 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.