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North Carolina Welding Schools · 2026

Best Welding Schools in North Carolina

Welding schools in North Carolina awarded 2,273 welding credentials at 58 colleges in 2022–23. Compare the verified welding programs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?

  • Vance-Granville Community College (Henderson) offers Welding Technology A.A.S Degree A50420 and Welding Technology Diploma D50420.
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (Salisbury) offers Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (A50420) and Welding Technology Diploma (D50420).
  • Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh) offers Welding Technology AAS (A50420) and Welding Technology Diploma (D50420).
  • Resident tuition and fees run from $1,944 to $4,112 a year (2024–25).
  • Welding classes in North Carolina: 9 of the verified welding programs in North Carolina list evening or weekend sections.
  • North Carolina welders earn a median $50,590 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Vance-Granville Community College Leads the North Carolina Welding School Rankings

#CollegeTuition and feesWelding awardsGraduation rate
1Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson$1,94453 certificates, 5 associate53%
2Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury$2,064128 certificates, 8 associate35%
3Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh$2,254165 certificates, 27 associate33%
4Catawba Valley Community CollegeHickory$2,42798 certificates, 18 associate35%
5Blue Ridge Community CollegeFlat Rock$2,66092 certificates, 13 associate50%
6Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-Salem$2,27687 certificates, 22 associate34%
7Pitt Community CollegeWinterville$2,580112 certificates, 24 associate35%
8Isothermal Community CollegeSpindale$2,0309 certificates, 7 associate55%
9Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville$1,98082 certificates46%
10Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro$2,566110 certificates49%
11Craven Community CollegeNew Bern$2,02213 certificates, 5 associate48%
12Caldwell Community College and Technical InstituteHudson$2,52616 certificates, 14 associate45%
13NASCAR Technical InstituteMooresville149 certificates
14Central Carolina Community CollegeSanford$2,71176 certificates, 17 associate43%
15Wilkes Community CollegeWilkesboro$2,57266 certificates55%
16McDowell Technical Community CollegeMarion$2,03224 certificates, 1 associate48%
17College of the AlbemarleElizabeth City$2,24293 certificates35%
18Southwestern Community CollegeSylva$4,11229 certificates, 6 associate53%
19Alamance Community CollegeGraham$2,5928 certificates, 21 associate39%
20Johnston Community CollegeSmithfield$2,75662 certificates, 13 associate37%
21Montgomery Community CollegeTroy$2,53821 certificates84%
22Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAsheville$2,88250 certificates, 9 associate40%
23Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte$2,79277 certificates, 18 associate31%
24Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham$1,98616 certificates45%
25Gaston CollegeDallas$3,18658 certificates63%
26Western Piedmont Community CollegeMorganton$2,65019 certificates, 2 associate49%
27Piedmont Community CollegeRoxboro$2,55679 certificates20%
28Tri-County Community CollegeMurphy$2,6368 certificates, 2 associate54%
29Mayland Community CollegeSpruce Pine$2,62626 certificates46%
30South Piedmont Community CollegeMonroe$2,02212 certificates38%
31Cleveland Community CollegeShelby$2,60267 certificates32%
32Halifax Community CollegeWeldon$2,60831 certificates35%
33Edgecombe Community CollegeTarboro$2,64029 certificates37%
34Stanly Community CollegeAlbemarle$2,67220 certificates48%
35Haywood Community CollegeClyde$2,58010 certificates, 4 associate34%
36Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville$2,62858 certificates24%
37Wilson Community CollegeWilson$2,57212 certificates27%
38Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount$2,8662 certificates41%
39Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville$2,6416 certificates28%

Welding programs in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina Welding Schools

Each North Carolina 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 North Carolina by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards, Working Adults and Highest Completion

Top RankedVance-Granville Community CollegeScore 79 of 100 on size, cost, completion and credentialsLowest TuitionVance-Granville Community College$1,944 a year, in-state (2024-2025)Most Welding AwardsWake Technical Community College192 welding credentials in 2024-2025Working AdultsNASCAR Technical InstituteEvening or weekend sections publishedHighest CompletionMontgomery Community College84% college-wide graduation rate

Welding Programs in North Carolina Near Raleigh, Asheville and Lake Norman of Catawba

Welding classes in North Carolina 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.

  • RaleighWake Technical Community College, Central Carolina Community College, Alamance Community College, Johnston Community College, Wilson Community College, Vance-Granville Community College, Durham Technical Community College and Nash Community College
  • AshevilleAsheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, Southwestern Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, Mayland Community College and Haywood Community College
  • Lake Norman of CatawbaRowan-Cabarrus Community College, NASCAR Technical Institute, Catawba Valley Community College, Wilkes Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and Mitchell Community College
  • ShelbyGaston College, Isothermal Community College, Cleveland Community College and Western Piedmont Community College
  • CharlotteCentral Piedmont Community College, Stanly Community College and South Piedmont Community College

Welding Schools in North Carolina, College by College

HendersonPublic, 2-year

1Vance-Granville Community College, Henderson, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Lowest Tuition in NC
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$1,944
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
58
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

SalisburyPublic, 2-year

2Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, 2 diplomas and 9 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,064
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
136
conferred 2024–25

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

RaleighPublic, 2-year

3Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding

  • Most Welding Awards in NC
  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$2,254
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
192
conferred 2024–25

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

HickoryPublic, 2-year

4Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, 2 diplomas and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$2,427
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
116
conferred 2024–25

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

Flat RockPublic, 2-year

5Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 6 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,660
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
105
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

Winston-SalemPublic, 2-year

6Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$2,276
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
109
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic · Inspection

WintervillePublic, 2-year

7Pitt Community College, Winterville, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,580
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
136
conferred 2024–25

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

SpindalePublic, 2-year

8Isothermal Community College, Spindale, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,030
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
16
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

GoldsboroPublic, 2-year

10Wayne Community College, Goldsboro, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$2,566
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
110
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

New BernPublic, 2-year

11Craven Community College, New Bern, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,022
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
18
conferred 2024–25

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

HudsonPublic, 2-year

12Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Hudson, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$2,526
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
30
conferred 2024–25

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

MooresvillePrivate for-profit, 2-year

13NASCAR Technical Institute, Mooresville, North Carolina

Offers one other award in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
149
conferred 2024–25

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

SanfordPublic, 2-year

14Central Carolina Community College, Sanford, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,711
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
93
conferred 2024–25

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

WilkesboroPublic, 2-year

15Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$2,572
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
66
conferred 2024–25

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

MarionPublic, 2-year

16McDowell Technical Community College, Marion, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,032
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
25
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

Elizabeth CityPublic, 2-year

17College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$2,242
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
93
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic

SylvaPublic, 2-year

18Southwestern Community College, Sylva, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$4,112
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
35
conferred 2024–25

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

GrahamPublic, 2-year

19Alamance Community College, Graham, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,592
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
29
conferred 2024–25

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

SmithfieldPublic, 2-year

20Johnston Community College, Smithfield, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,756
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
75
conferred 2024–25

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

TroyPublic, 2-year

21Montgomery Community College, Troy, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,538
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
21
conferred 2024–25

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

AshevillePublic, 2-year

22Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$2,882
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
59
conferred 2024–25

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

CharlottePublic, 2-year

23Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 5 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$2,792
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
95
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic

DurhamPublic, 2-year

24Durham Technical Community College, Durham, North Carolina

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$1,986
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
16
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

DallasPublic, 2-year

25Gaston College, Dallas, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Diploma Program
Tuition / year
$3,186
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
58
conferred 2024–25
MorgantonPublic, 2-year

26Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,650
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
21
conferred 2024–25
RoxboroPublic, 2-year

27Piedmont Community College, Roxboro, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,556
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
79
conferred 2024–25

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

MurphyPublic, 2-year

28Tri-County Community College, Murphy, North Carolina

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$2,636
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
10
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

Spruce PinePublic, 2-year

29Mayland Community College, Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,626
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
26
conferred 2024–25

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

MonroePublic, 2-year

30South Piedmont Community College, Monroe, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 6 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,022
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
12
conferred 2024–25

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

ShelbyPublic, 2-year

31Cleveland Community College, Shelby, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,602
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
67
conferred 2024–25

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

WeldonPublic, 2-year

32Halifax Community College, Weldon, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,608
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
31
conferred 2024–25

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

TarboroPublic, 2-year

33Edgecombe Community College, Tarboro, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,640
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
29
conferred 2024–25

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

AlbemarlePublic, 2-year

34Stanly Community College, Albemarle, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 3 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$2,672
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
20
conferred 2024–25

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

ClydePublic, 2-year

35Haywood Community College, Clyde, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,580
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
14
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

FayettevillePublic, 2-year

36Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,628
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
58
conferred 2024–25

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

WilsonPublic, 2-year

37Wilson Community College, Wilson, North Carolina

Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,572
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
12
conferred 2024–25

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

Rocky MountPublic, 2-year

38Nash Community College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 6 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$2,866
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
2
conferred 2024–25

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

StatesvillePublic, 2-year

39Mitchell Community College, Statesville, North Carolina

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$2,641
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
6
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection

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

Welding Classes in North Carolina: 9 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends

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

  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeOffered in 16-week and 8-week semesters (per catalog certification-test note)
  • Pitt Community CollegeComplete in as few as four semesters full-time or up to ten semesters part-time; welding classes on campus, general education classes can be taken online.
  • Wake Technical Community CollegeAAS: day only; Diploma: day or evening; Certificate (C50420B): evening only. All on campus.
  • NASCAR Technical Institute36-week program at UTI Mooresville, completable in less than nine months; UTI says most programs offer morning, afternoon and evening schedules.
  • Central Carolina Community CollegeDegree 5 semesters; diploma 4 semesters; Welding and Robotic Welding certificates 2 semesters (day) or 3 semesters (night).
  • Forsyth Technical Community CollegeAAS: two years, day classes. Diploma: one year, day and evening classes. Certificate: 1-2 semesters part-time, day and evening classes.
  • Wilkes Community CollegeDiploma runs fall, spring and summer terms; Basic Welder/Fabricator certificate offered as an evening, competency-based program (next start October 14th, 2026).
  • Central Piedmont Community CollegeA.A.S. is two years, on campus at Harper Campus; some evening sections may be available depending on the semester.
  • Davidson-Davie Community College1 year to complete; starts in Fall.
  • Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeA.A.S. laid out over five semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring).
  • Wayne Community CollegeThere is also an evening option to help working adults.
  • Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeDiploma is 3 semesters full-time (Fall, Spring, Summer); a part-time sequence over five terms is also published.

More Welding Programs in North Carolina: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials

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

  • Randolph Community College, Asheboro49
  • Richmond Community College, Hamlet44
  • Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington41
  • Lenoir Community College, Kinston36
  • Rockingham Community College, Wentworth36
  • Surry Community College, Dobson35
  • Martin Community College, Williamston31
  • Carteret Community College, Morehead City29
  • Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville29
  • Guilford Technical Community College, Jamestown26
  • Bladen Community College, Dublin23
  • James Sprunt Community College, Kenansville23

What Welding School Costs in North Carolina: $1,944 to $4,112 a Year

Among the 38 North Carolina welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $1,944 at Vance-Granville Community College to $4,112 at Southwestern Community College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more. See the Welding School Cost in North Carolina guide for books, program length and how to cut costs.

SchoolCityTuition and fees, 2024–25
Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson$1,944 (in-state)
Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville$1,980 (in-state)
Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham$1,986 (in-state)
Craven Community CollegeNew Bern$2,022 (in-state)
South Piedmont Community CollegeMonroe$2,022 (in-state)
Isothermal Community CollegeSpindale$2,030 (in-state)

The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Welder Salary in North Carolina: The Virginia Beach Area Pays the Most

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

Metro areaMedian payTop 10% earn more thanWelding jobs
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk$62,670$78,1803,740
Greenville$57,360$72,170230
Raleigh–Cary$56,940$71,8001,090
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia$56,070$75,9103,370
Wilmington$55,340$68,640260
Greensboro–High Point$54,180$70,5501,180
Asheville$52,540$71,920290
Burlington$50,740$64,790120
Fayetteville$49,780$69,14080
Rocky Mount$49,600$69,950250

Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in North Carolina (11,750 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Welding Schools by City in North Carolina

Welding Schools in North Carolina: FAQ

How Much Do Welding Schools in North Carolina Cost?

Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the North Carolina colleges on this page run from $1,944 to $4,112 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in North Carolina?

North Carolina programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College lists Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (A50420) (71-73 semester hour credits) and Welding Technology Diploma (D50420) (38 semester hour credits); Wake Technical Community College lists Welding Technology AAS (A50420) (64 credits) and Welding Technology Diploma (D50420) (41 credits); NASCAR Technical Institute lists Welding Technology (36 weeks).

How Much Do Welders Make in North Carolina?

BLS estimates a median of $50,590 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in North Carolina (May 2025), across 11,750 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,540 and the top 10% earn more than $71,240.

What Is the Best Welding School in North Carolina?

On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Vance-Granville Community College ranks first among North Carolina colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.

Are There Evening Welding Classes in North Carolina?

Yes. 9 welding schools in North Carolina publish evening or weekend sections, including Wake Technical Community College, NASCAR Technical Institute and Central Carolina Community College.

How Many Welding Schools Are in North Carolina?

39 schools have a current welding program in North Carolina, each checked against the school's own program page, and 23 offer an associate degree.

What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in North Carolina?

Vance-Granville Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among North Carolina welding schools with federal figures: $1,944 for a full-time year (in-state). Davidson-Davie Community College ($1,980) and Durham Technical Community College ($1,986) follow.

Which North Carolina Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?

Alamance Community College, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Blue Ridge Community College and 20 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.

Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in North Carolina?

Alamance Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and Central Piedmont Community College and 7 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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North Carolina · Salary

How Much Do Welders Make in North Carolina?

North Carolina welders earned a median $50,590 in May 2025. Compare pay in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville and Hickory, and the schools near each market.

More on Welding in North Carolina

Welder Salary in North CarolinaBlogWelding School Cost in North CarolinaBlogWelding Inspection Training in NCBlogWelding Schools in CharlotteCity guideWelding Schools in RaleighCity guideWelder Salary by StateBLS pay, May 2025Welding CertificationAWS Certified Welder and CWIWelding CareersJobs, pay and training

Sources

  1. Official welding program pages of the 39 North Carolina 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.