Lake Norman of Catawba Welding Schools

Welding Schools in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC

3 of the 8 welding programs within 60 miles of Lake Norman of Catawba publish evening or weekend sections, so you can keep a day job while you train.

A TIG torch held in a fixture over an aluminum tube joint on a welding bench
Photo: Peter Xie / Pexels

Where Can You Take Welding Classes in Lake Norman of Catawba After Work?

  • Night or weekend sections: NASCAR Technical Institute, Central Piedmont Community College and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
  • NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, 8 miles away, offers Welding Technology.
  • Mitchell Community College in Statesville, 14 miles away, offers Welding Technology A.A.S. Degree [A50420] and Welding Technology Diploma [D50420].
  • Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, 18 miles away, offers Welding Technology, A.A.S. (A50420) and Welding Technology Diploma (D50420).
  • Welding classes in Lake Norman of Catawba: 3 of these welding schools publish evening or weekend sections.
  • Welder pay in North Carolina: a median $50,590 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Welding Classes in Lake Norman of Catawba: 3 Colleges Teach Evenings or Weekends

  • 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 Piedmont Community CollegeA.A.S. is two years, on campus at Harper Campus; some evening sections may be available depending on the semester.
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeOffered in 16-week and 8-week semesters (per catalog certification-test note)
  • Caldwell Community College and Technical InstituteOffered at Caldwell Campus and through Night School (Caldwell).

Compare Welding Programs Near Lake Norman of Catawba

CollegeDistanceTuition and feesWelding awardsGraduation rate
NASCAR Technical InstituteMooresville8 miles149 certificates
Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville14 miles$2,6416 certificates28%
Catawba Valley Community CollegeHickory18 miles$2,42798 certificates, 18 associate35%
Gaston CollegeDallas23 miles$3,18658 certificates63%
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte28 miles$2,79277 certificates, 18 associate31%
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury29 miles$2,064128 certificates, 8 associate35%
Caldwell Community College and Technical InstituteHudson33 miles$2,52616 certificates, 14 associate45%
Cleveland Community CollegeShelby36 miles$2,60267 certificates32%

Welding programs near Lake Norman of Catawba, sorted by straight-line distance. Tuition: 2024–25 full-time resident rate. Awards: welding credentials conferred (IPEDS, via NCES College Navigator). Graduation rate is college-wide. Blank cells have no federal figure.

Best Welding Schools in Lake Norman of Catawba for What You Need

Welding Schools in Lake Norman of Catawba: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and 7 Others

Salisbury · 29 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Rowan-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

A degree option on top of certificates.

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

Hickory · 18 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Catawba 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

A degree option on top of certificates.

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

Mooresville · 8 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPrivate for-profit, 2-year

NASCAR 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

Hudson · 33 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Caldwell 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

A degree option on top of certificates.

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

Charlotte · 28 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Central 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

A degree option on top of certificates.

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

Shelby · 36 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Cleveland 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

Dallas · 23 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Gaston 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
Statesville · 14 mi from Lake Norman of CatawbaPublic, 2-year

Mitchell 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

A degree option on top of certificates.

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. Distances are straight-line from Lake Norman of Catawba.

Certificate or Associate Degree Near Lake Norman of Catawba?

NASCAR Technical Institute, Gaston College and Cleveland Community College offer certificates only; Mitchell Community College, Catawba Valley Community College and Central Piedmont Community College also award a welding associate degree, which adds general education and takes about two years full time.

  • NASCAR Technical InstituteWelding Technology: 36 weeks
  • Catawba Valley Community CollegeWelding Technology Certificate Pathway (C50420P): 18 credit hours (2023-2024 catalog)
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeWelding Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (A50420): 71-73 semester hour credits; Welding Technology Diploma (D50420): 38 semester hour credits; CCPP Welding Technology Diploma (D50420PB): 38 semester hour credits
  • Cleveland Community CollegeWelding Technology Diploma (D50420): 36-38 credit hours; Welding Technology Certificate (C50420): 17 credit hours; Welding Technology - Basic Certificate (C50420C): 15 credit hours

Welder Pay in North Carolina

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

Questions About Welding Schools in Lake Norman of Catawba

How Much Do Welding Schools in Lake Norman of Catawba Cost?

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College charges the least, $2,064 a year for full-time residents in 2024-2025; Gaston College charges $3,186. Books, tools and protective gear cost extra (Rowan-Cabarrus Community College budgets $1,800 for books and supplies).

How Long Does Welding School Take Near Lake Norman of Catawba?

NASCAR Technical Institute lists Welding Technology (36 weeks), Catawba Valley Community College lists Welding Technology Certificate Pathway (C50420P) (18 credit hours (2023-2024 catalog)) and 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).

How Much Do Welders Make in Lake Norman of Catawba?

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in North Carolina earn a median $50,590 a year (BLS, May 2025), 6% below the U.S. median of $53,750. The top 10% earn more than $71,240.

What Is the Best Welding School Near Lake Norman of Catawba?

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the welding schools within 60 miles, with 136 welding awards in 2024-2025. Catawba Valley Community College ranks second.

Are There Night Welding Classes Near Lake Norman of Catawba?

Yes. NASCAR Technical Institute, Central Piedmont Community College and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute publish evening or weekend sections: 36-week program at UTI Mooresville, completable in less than nine months; UTI says most programs offer morning, afternoon and evening schedules.

Welding Programs Near Lake Norman of Catawba but Farther Out

  • Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro39 miles
  • Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton40 miles

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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.

Guides, Careers and Pay

Sources

  1. Official welding program pages of the 8 welding schools above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions and College Navigator.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.