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Washington Welding Schools · 2026

Best Welding Schools in Washington

Welding schools in Washington awarded 699 welding credentials at 22 colleges in 2022–23. Compare the verified welding programs in Washington below by credential, campus and cost.

By the Best Welding School editorial teamUpdated September 25, 2026How we ranked

A welder in a harness stick-welding a steel beam outdoors
Photo: Cesar A. Ramirez Vallejo / Pexels

What Are the Best Welding Schools in Washington?

  • Peninsula College (Port Angeles) offers Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree and Welding Technology Certificate.
  • Bellingham Technical College (Bellingham) offers Welding and Fabricating Technology - AAS and Welding and Fabricating Technology - AAS - Pipe Specialization.
  • Clark College (Vancouver).
  • Resident tuition and fees run from $4,197 to $6,555 a year (2024–25).
  • Welding classes in Washington: 3 of the verified welding programs in Washington list evening or weekend sections.
  • Washington welders earn a median $63,020 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Peninsula College Leads the Washington Welding School Rankings

#CollegeTuition and feesWelding awardsGraduation rate
1Peninsula CollegePort Angeles$4,718173 certificates, 21 associate37%
2Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham$4,43147 certificates, 31 associate42%
3Clark CollegeVancouver$5,233109 certificates, 10 associate39%
4Olympic CollegeBremerton$4,19792 certificates, 21 associate31%
5Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla$5,27935 certificates, 32 associate38%
6Everett Community CollegeEverett$5,03237 certificates, 15 associate37%
7South Puget Sound Community CollegeOlympia$5,25241 certificates, 10 associate44%
8Renton Technical CollegeRenton$6,30830 certificates, 12 associate46%
9South Seattle CollegeSeattle$5,23878 certificates, 3 associate31%
10Perry Technical InstituteYakima52 certificates
11Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyKirkland$5,99722 certificates, 11 associate37%
12Spokane Community CollegeSpokane$5,46161 certificates33%
13Columbia Basin CollegePasco$6,55511 associate33%

Welding programs in Washington, 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 Washington Welding Schools

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

Top RankedPeninsula CollegeScore 80 of 100 on size, cost, completion and credentialsLowest TuitionOlympic College$4,197 a year, in-state (2024-2025)Most Welding AwardsPeninsula College194 welding credentials in 2024-2025Working AdultsSpokane Community CollegeEvening or weekend sections publishedHighest CompletionRenton Technical College46% college-wide graduation rate

Welding Schools in Washington, College by College

Port AngelesPublic, 4-year

1Peninsula College, Port Angeles, Washington

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • Most Welding Awards in WA
  • AWS Testing
Tuition / year
$4,718
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
194
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication

BellinghamPublic, 4-year

2Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, Washington

Offers 4 associate degrees and a certificate in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$4,431
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
78
conferred 2024–25

Teaches MIG · TIG · Pipe · Fabrication

VancouverPublic, 4-year

3Clark College, Vancouver, Washington

  • Certificate Program
Tuition / year
$5,233
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
119
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Fabrication · Inspection

BremertonPublic, 4-year

4Olympic College, Bremerton, Washington

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • Lowest Tuition in WA
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,197
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
113
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Cutting · Fabrication

Walla WallaPublic, 4-year

5Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla, Washington

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$5,279
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
67
conferred 2024–25

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

EverettPublic, 4-year

6Everett Community College, Everett, Washington

Offers 2 associate degrees in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$5,032
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
52
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Fabrication

OlympiaPublic, 2-year

7South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, Washington

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$5,252
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
51
conferred 2024–25

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

RentonPublic, 4-year

8Renton Technical College, Renton, Washington

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$6,308
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
42
conferred 2024–25
SeattlePublic, 4-year

9South Seattle College, Seattle, Washington

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$5,238
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
81
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · Cutting · Fabrication

YakimaPrivate nonprofit, 2-year

10Perry Technical Institute, Yakima, Washington

Offers one other award in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • AWS Testing
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
52
conferred 2024–25

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

KirklandPublic, 4-year

11Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland, Washington

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$5,997
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
33
conferred 2024–25

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

SpokanePublic, 4-year

12Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington

Offers a certificate in welding

  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$5,461
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
61
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication

PascoPublic, 4-year

13Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Washington

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • Associate Degree
  • Pipe Welding
Tuition / year
$6,555
in-state, 2024–25
Welding awards
11
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 Washington: 3 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends

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

  • Peninsula CollegeOne-year competency-based certificate; two-year AAS degree.
  • Clark CollegeDaily labs, averaging two hours per day of weld practice; enrollment limited each quarter.
  • Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyLWTech does not offer every course each quarter; program may require Summer coursework.
  • Spokane Community CollegeThree-quarter, competency-based program; choose between the evening or daytime program.
  • Bellingham Technical CollegeThis program typically starts in Fall Quarter; estimated 6 quarters to complete (AAS - Pipe Specialization).
  • Renton Technical CollegeArc Welding Certificate offered Monday through Friday; enrollment points Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.
  • South Puget Sound Community CollegeFull-time career training leads to certificate/degree; part-time evening courses do not lead to a credential.
  • Perry Technical InstituteDay and night school options; 1-year program.
  • Columbia Basin CollegeFull-time, in-person cohort model with Fall start (morning, Mon-Fri 6:30 am-2 pm) and Winter start (afternoon, Mon-Fri 11 am-4 pm) cohorts.

More Welding Programs in Washington: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials

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

  • Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood17
  • Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon16
  • Bates Technical College, Tacoma16
  • Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen14
  • Green River College, Auburn10
  • Lower Columbia College, Longview5
  • Centralia College, Centralia3
  • Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake2
  • Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee2

What Welding School Costs in Washington: $4,197 to $6,555 a Year

Among the 12 Washington welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,197 at Olympic College to $6,555 at Columbia Basin College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.

SchoolCityTuition and fees, 2024–25
Olympic CollegeBremerton$4,197 (in-state)
Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham$4,431 (in-state)
Peninsula CollegePort Angeles$4,718 (in-state)
Everett Community CollegeEverett$5,032 (in-state)
Clark CollegeVancouver$5,233 (in-state)
South Seattle CollegeSeattle$5,238 (in-state)

The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Welder Salary in Washington: The Bremerton Area Pays the Most

Metro areaMedian payTop 10% earn more thanWelding jobs
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard$71,720$101,360740
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue$66,240$89,6303,230
Kennewick–Richland$64,720$95,400260
Bellingham$63,720$80,970320
Mount Vernon–Anacortes$62,800$84,480430
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro$62,050$83,9403,300
Longview–Kelso$59,860$76,600120
Walla Walla$59,380$71,49080
Spokane–Spokane Valley$59,350$74,450630
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater$58,680$83,830140

Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Washington (7,720 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Welding Schools by City in Washington

Welding Schools in Washington: FAQ

How Much Do Welding Schools in Washington Cost?

Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Washington colleges on this page run from $4,197 to $6,555 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Washington?

Washington programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Lake Washington Institute of Technology lists Welding Technology, AAS (98 credits); Spokane Community College lists Certificate - Welding and Fabrication (three quarters); Bellingham Technical College lists Welding and Fabricating Technology - AAS - Pipe Specialization (109 credits).

How Much Do Welders Make in Washington?

BLS estimates a median of $63,020 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Washington (May 2025), across 7,720 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,980 and the top 10% earn more than $86,250.

What Is the Best Welding School in Washington?

On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Peninsula College ranks first among Washington colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Bellingham Technical College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.

Are There Evening Welding Classes in Washington?

Yes. 3 welding schools in Washington publish evening or weekend sections, including Spokane Community College, South Puget Sound Community College and Perry Technical Institute.

How Many Welding Schools Are in Washington?

13 schools have a current welding program in Washington, each checked against the school's own program page, and 10 offer an associate degree.

What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Washington?

Olympic College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Washington welding schools with federal figures: $4,197 for a full-time year (in-state). Bellingham Technical College ($4,431) and Peninsula College ($4,718) follow.

Which Washington Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?

Bellingham Technical College, Columbia Basin College and Everett Community College and 7 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.

Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Washington?

Everett Community College, Peninsula College and Perry Technical Institute and 2 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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Sources

  1. Official welding program pages of the 13 Washington 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.