What Are the Best Welding Schools in Pennsylvania?
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster) offers Welding Technology and Welding Technology Certificate.
- Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood) offers Welding Engineering Technology, AAS and Welding Engineering Technology, Diploma.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport) offers Welding and Welding Technology.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $4,842 to $21,225 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in Pennsylvania: 7 of the verified welding programs in Pennsylvania list evening or weekend sections.
- Pennsylvania welders earn a median $52,900 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Leads the Pennsylvania Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyLancaster | $9,050 | 1 certificate, 31 associate | 71% |
| 2 | Westmoreland County Community CollegeYoungwood | $6,018 | 5 certificates, 13 associate | 31% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport | $18,240 | 6 certificates, 62 associate | 53% |
| 4 | Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh | $4,842 | 23 certificates, 2 associate | 24% |
| 5 | Philadelphia Technician TrainingPhiladelphia | 119 certificates | ||
| 6 | Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania IncExton | 115 certificates | ||
| 7 | York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing EducationYork | 54 certificates | ||
| 8 | New Castle School of TradesNew Castle | 53 certificates | ||
| 9 | Welder Training and Testing InstituteAllentown | 50 certificates | ||
| 10 | Northampton County Area Community CollegeBethlehem | $5,550 | 4 certificates, 6 associate | 24% |
| 11 | Commonwealth Technical InstituteJohnstown | $7,714 | 13 certificates | 86% |
| 12 | Lancaster County Career and Technology CenterMount Joy | 26 certificates | ||
| 13 | Johnson CollegeScranton | $21,225 | 8 certificates, 12 associate | 55% |
| 14 | All-State Career School-PittsburghWest Mifflin | 23 certificates | ||
| 15 | Rosedale Technical CollegePittsburgh | $17,402 | 20 certificates | 81% |
| 16 | Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg | $6,975 | 33 certificates | 21% |
| 17 | Laurel Technical InstituteHermitage | $13,431 | 15 certificates | 73% |
| 18 | Berks Career & Technology CenterLeesport | 16 certificates | ||
| 19 | Delaware County Community CollegeMedia | $6,930 | 15 certificates | 24% |
| 20 | Schuylkill Technology CenterMarlin | 10 certificates | ||
| 21 | Laurel Business InstituteUniontown | $13,713 | 12 certificates | 69% |
| 22 | Penn Commercial Business/Technical SchoolWashington | $13,654 | 5 certificates | 84% |
| 23 | Institute of Medical CareersErie | 9 certificates | ||
| 24 | All-State Career SchoolEssington | 7 certificates | ||
| 25 | Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke | $6,600 | 9 certificates | 23% |
| 26 | Indiana County Technology CenterIndiana | 6 certificates |
Welding programs in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania Welding Schools
Each Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards, Working Adults and Highest Completion
Welding Programs in Pennsylvania Near Pittsburgh, Northampton and Philadelphia
Welding classes in Pennsylvania 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.
- PittsburghCommunity College of Allegheny County, All-State Career School-Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical College, Westmoreland County Community College, Institute of Medical Careers, Laurel Business Institute and Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
- NorthamptonWelder Training and Testing Institute, Luzerne County Community College, Northampton County Area Community College, Berks Career & Technology Center and Schuylkill Technology Center
- PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia Technician Training, Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc, Delaware County Community College and All-State Career School
Welding Schools in Pennsylvania, College by College
1Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Offers 2 associate degrees and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $9,050 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 32 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
2Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,018 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 18 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Fabrication · Inspection
3Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Offers an associate degree, a certificate and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $18,240 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 68 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
4Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,842 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 25 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
5Philadelphia Technician Training, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 119 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication
6Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc, Exton, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 115 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
7York County School of Technology-Adult &Amp; Continuing Education, York, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 54 conferred 2024–25
8New Castle School of Trades, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 53 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
9Welder Training and Testing Institute, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 50 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
10Northampton County Area Community College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,550 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
Teaches MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
11Commonwealth Technical Institute, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,714 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 13 conferred 2024–25
Teaches MIG · TIG · Fabrication · Inspection
12Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma and one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 26 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
13Johnson College, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $21,225 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 20 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
14All-State Career School-Pittsburgh, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 23 conferred 2024–25
15Rosedale Technical College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $17,402 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 20 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
16Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,975 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 33 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
17Laurel Technical Institute, Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $13,431 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 15 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
18Berks Career &Amp; Technology Center, Leesport, Pennsylvania
Offers 3 other awards in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 3 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 16 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
19Delaware County Community College, Media, Pennsylvania
Offers a certificate and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,930 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 15 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
20Schuylkill Technology Center, Marlin, Pennsylvania
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting
21Laurel Business Institute, Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $13,713 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 12 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
22Penn Commercial Business/Technical School, Washington, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $13,654 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
23Institute of Medical Careers, Erie, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 9 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Inspection
24All-State Career School, Essington, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 7 conferred 2024–25
25Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Offers a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,600 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 9 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
26Indiana County Technology Center, Indiana, Pennsylvania
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 6 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · 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.
Welding Classes in Pennsylvania: 7 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Philadelphia Technician TrainingDesigned to take 26 weeks; morning classes 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., evening classes 3:00 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWelding core courses are taught in eight-week formats; curriculum sequence assumes a fall start with full credit load.
- New Castle School of Trades50 weeks; available for both day and evening training at the New Castle campus.
- Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyCertificate: 9 months (two semesters); GMAW and GTAW courses run in 8-week blocks.
- Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania IncStudents can graduate in as little as 36 weeks.
- Community College of Allegheny CountyFull-time certificate students are prepared to sit for AWS certification in four months.
- York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing EducationTraining in less than a year.
- Luzerne County Community CollegeCore welding courses are offered in both daytime and Main Campus evening sections (e.g. Fall 2026 evening labs run to about 10-10:50 PM).
- Rosedale Technical CollegeCan be completed in 8 months; four-day school week; daytime and evening programs available.
- Westmoreland County Community CollegeAAS laid out over four semesters (two fall, two spring); diploma over two semesters.
- Commonwealth Technical Institute1,350 hours, 3 terms, 12 months; maximum class size 20
- Johnson CollegeCertificate: one year (two terms, fall start); Associate: two years (four terms). Spring starters need an additional term.
More Welding Programs in Pennsylvania: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials
Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.
- Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center, Johnstown18
- Triangle Tech Inc-Dubois, Falls Creek13
- Triangle Tech Inc-Sunbury, Sunbury7
- Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, Altoona6
- Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Pleasant Gap2
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown1
- Clearfield County Career and Technology Center, Clearfield1
- Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center, Springville1
What Welding School Costs in Pennsylvania: $4,842 to $21,225 a Year
Among the 14 Pennsylvania welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,842 at Community College of Allegheny County to $21,225 at Johnson College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more. See the Welding School Cost in Pennsylvania guide for books, program length and how to cut costs.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | $4,842 (in-district) |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | $5,550 (in-district) |
| Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | $6,018 (in-district) |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | $6,600 (in-district) |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | $6,930 (in-district) |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | $6,975 (in-district) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Area Pays the Most
For pay by metro area and by welding job, see Welder Salary in Pennsylvania.
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington | $58,380 | $79,960 | 4,630 |
| York–Hanover | $55,070 | $73,860 | 730 |
| Reading | $54,840 | $70,720 | 870 |
| Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton | $54,790 | $74,820 | 860 |
| Lancaster | $54,370 | $73,900 | 1,270 |
| Pittsburgh | $53,610 | $75,780 | 3,600 |
| Chambersburg | $53,340 | $71,650 | 510 |
| Harrisburg–Carlisle | $52,330 | $74,430 | 420 |
| Altoona | $51,540 | $63,460 | 170 |
| State College | $51,030 | $64,950 | 140 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Pennsylvania (17,850 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Pennsylvania
Welding Schools in Pennsylvania: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Pennsylvania Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Pennsylvania colleges on this page run from $4,842 to $21,225 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Pennsylvania College of Technology lists Welding (57 credits (4 semesters)) and Welding Technology (67 credits (4 semesters)); Welder Training and Testing Institute lists Welder Fitter (900 hours); New Castle School of Trades lists Combination Welding (50 weeks).
How Much Do Welders Make in Pennsylvania?
BLS estimates a median of $52,900 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Pennsylvania (May 2025), across 17,850 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,510 and the top 10% earn more than $74,870.
What Is the Best Welding School in Pennsylvania?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology ranks first among Pennsylvania colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Westmoreland County Community College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in Pennsylvania?
Yes. 7 welding schools in Pennsylvania publish evening or weekend sections, including Philadelphia Technician Training, New Castle School of Trades and Luzerne County Community College.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Pennsylvania?
26 schools have a current welding program in Pennsylvania, each checked against the school's own program page, and 6 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Pennsylvania?
Community College of Allegheny County had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Pennsylvania welding schools with federal figures: $4,842 for a full-time year (in-district). Northampton County Area Community College ($5,550) and Westmoreland County Community College ($6,018) follow.
Which Pennsylvania Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Community College of Allegheny County, Johnson College and Northampton County Area Community College and 3 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Pennsylvania?
Berks Career & Technology Center, Commonwealth Technical Institute and Community College of Allegheny County and 13 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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How Much Does Welding School Cost in Pennsylvania?
2024–25 tuition at Pennsylvania welding schools, from $4,842 at CCAC to $21,225 at Johnson College, plus full-program prices, books and testing fees.
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Pennsylvania schools that train pipe and structural welders, the codes they test to (AWS D1.1, D1.5, ASME IX, API) and what pipe welders and ironworkers earn.
More on Welding in Pennsylvania
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 26 Pennsylvania 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.