What Are the Best Welding Schools in Maine?
- Eastern Maine Community College (Bangor) offers Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology.
- Beal University (Bangor) offers Welding Technology Diploma and A.A.S. Welding Technology.
- Kennebec Valley Community College (Fairfield) offers Welding Certificate.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $4,156 to $4,156 a year (2024–25).
- Maine welders earn a median $62,220 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Eastern Maine Community College Leads the Maine Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Maine Community CollegeBangor | $4,156 | 22 certificates, 11 associate | 32% |
| 2 | Beal UniversityBangor | 12 certificates, 1 associate | ||
| 3 | Kennebec Valley Community CollegeFairfield | $4,156 | 16 certificates | 39% |
| 4 | Northern Maine Community CollegePresque Isle | $4,156 | 10 certificates | 42% |
| 5 | Washington County Community CollegeCalais | $4,156 | 7 certificates | 55% |
Welding programs in Maine, 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 Maine Welding Schools
Each Maine 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 Maine by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in Maine, College by College
1Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor, Maine
Offers an associate degree in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,156 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 33 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
2Beal University, Bangor, Maine
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 13 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
3Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, Maine
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,156 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 16 conferred 2024–25
Teaches MIG · Cutting · Fabrication
4Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle, Maine
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,156 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
5Washington County Community College, Calais, Maine
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,156 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 7 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in Maine: When Programs Meet
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Beal UniversityDiploma is 8 months on campus; the A.A.S. adds about 8 months of online general education after the diploma. Page lists a November 2nd start date.
- Kennebec Valley Community CollegeEarn a 9-month certificate.
- Eastern Maine Community CollegeModular curriculum in a one- or two-year format; first year covers basic and pipe SMAW, second year covers GMAW and GTAW.
- Northern Maine Community CollegeTwo semesters (2026-2027 curriculum sheet); welding courses run in 4- to 7.5-week blocks.
What Welding School Costs in Maine: $4,156 to $4,156 a Year
Among the 4 Maine welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,156 at Eastern Maine Community College to $4,156 at Washington County Community College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor | $4,156 (in-state) |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | $4,156 (in-state) |
| Northern Maine Community College | Presque Isle | $4,156 (in-state) |
| Washington County Community College | Calais | $4,156 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Maine: The Portland Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland–South Portland | $66,420 | $78,830 | 1,060 |
| Lewiston–Auburn | $55,520 | $71,830 | 80 |
| Bangor | $50,590 | $70,800 | 140 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Maine (1,690 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools in Maine: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Maine Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Maine colleges on this page run from $4,156 to $4,156 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Maine?
Maine programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Washington County Community College lists Certificate Program - Welding Technology (36 credit hours); Northern Maine Community College lists Structural Welding Certificate (30 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Maine?
BLS estimates a median of $62,220 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Maine (May 2025), across 1,690 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,230 and the top 10% earn more than $76,220.
What Is the Best Welding School in Maine?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Eastern Maine Community College ranks first among Maine colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Beal University. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Maine?
5 schools have a current welding program in Maine, each checked against the school's own program page, and 2 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Maine?
Eastern Maine Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Maine welding schools with federal figures: $4,156 for a full-time year (in-state). Kennebec Valley Community College ($4,156) and Northern Maine Community College ($4,156) follow.
Which Maine Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Beal University and Eastern Maine Community College offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Maine?
Kennebec Valley Community College, Northern Maine Community College and Washington County Community College 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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More on Welding in Maine
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 5 Maine 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.