10 Best Welding Schools in Wisconsin 2024 | A Detailed Guide

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Explore our detailed guide to the top 10 best welding schools in Wisconsin in 2023. Discover the finest institutions offering comprehensive welding programs and hands-on training. Find the perfect welding school in Wisconsin to kickstart your career in welding at the best welding schools in Wisconsin.

If you want to know how to become a welder in Wisconsin, this article provides a list of this state’s welding schools, tips on how to get certified in welding without schooling, and how long a welding school takes.

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Metal components, including pipelines, steel framing for construction projects, and vehicle parts, are fused and cut by welders. 

Metal is used in many different products, and each of these sectors needs exceptionally skilled welders to handle the high heat and equipment required to deal with these metals. 

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The rule of Wisconsin State requires that welders be physically capable of standing for extended periods, bending over, and lifting heavy power tools.

To ensure the safety of both themselves and the other team members, they must also be able to adhere to safety regulations. 

In addition to providing you with general information on Wisconsin’s welding schools, this guide will teach you how to get into welding and become a welder.

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ALSO READ: 5 Best Welding Schools In Canada |Requirements & Cost

What is Welding?

The manufacturing process of welding involves applying heat, pressure, or both to attach two or more components while they cool. 

Wood can also be welded; however, it is more frequently done with metals and thermoplastics.

Is it Worth Becoming a Welder?

Being a welder is a very rewarding career with many advantages. It is possible to have a fulfilling job with good compensation as a welder. 

Given how difficult it is for employers in the welding industry to locate candidates with the necessary skills, completing a training program is a wise decision to give yourself an advantage over the competition. 

Therefore, you must enroll in a welding program in Wisconsin to learn how to become a certified welder in the state. Aside from that, knowing how long welding school will take can help you get ready both now and in the future.

Are Welders in Demand in Wisconsin?

Many industries depend heavily on welders, including shipbuilding, metal fabrication, and specialty machine production. 

Welders also rank among the highest-paid professionals in the sector. Welders are in high demand in Wisconsin because of the state’s massive infrastructure. 

Furthermore, welders who put in the effort to advance their skills and comprehension of the trade are in high demand and have the power to negotiate for higher pay and access to highly sought-after employment.

Therefore, to practice welding in Wisconsin, you must get into a welding school to learn how to become a welder.

Also Read: 10 Best Welding Schools In Massachusetts |Requirements & Cost| A Detailed Guide

How Long Does it Take to Be Trained as a Welder?

The time it takes to become a welder and get all the necessary credentials depends on the certification and training program. Training ranges from 7 months to 2 years, depending on the program.

Industry certifications and post-secondary programs are the most common steps toward becoming a welder. 

These two steps are necessary due to employer preference and requirements. Additional employer requirements are a GED or a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

How Much Does the Welding School Cost?

The starting price for three- to seven-month courses at welding schools is often around $5,000. On the other hand, tuition for classes in 15-month college welding programs can cost, on average, $15,000 per student. 

However, the cost of obtaining your welding certification will depend on the school you decide to attend. In addition to these factors, the state, the program length, and the type of education may impact tuition expenses. 

The cost of a particular welding school in Wisconsin must therefore be ascertained by researching the school of your preference. 

While it may take up to four years to finish some programs, others grant certification after only seven months of study.

How Much Does a Welder Make Annually?

Wisconsin is the fifth state in the US that offers more opportunities for welders than most other states, especially in terms of salary. 

Wisconsin’s average welder makes $45,820 annually, which is in line with the national average. The average salary for welders with ten years of experience is $52,355. 

Lead welders can make significantly more money if they are highly qualified and skilled. A high percentage of welding occupations are located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Check: 10 Best Welding Schools In Pennsylvania |Requirements & Cost

How Do I Become a Welder in Wisconsin? 

Obtaining your certification is the first step you should take to work as a welder. 

You must enroll in one of the welding school programs to learn how to become a welder in Wisconsin.

You’ll learn many skills during your program by participating in lectures and practical training sessions. 

You must pass the American Welding Society (AWS) certification exam as soon as your training is complete to demonstrate your expertise. 

Remember that you can take your test in a variety of places. 

However, you can typically pass it at the school where you receive your training.

ALSO READ: 15 Best Welding Schools in Michigan|Requirements & Cost

List of the Best Welding Schools in Wisconsin 

In Wisconsin, aspiring welders have various training options, including high school vocational programs, post-secondary vocational-technical training, a two-year associate degree, and apprenticeship programs.

Here’s a list of the welding schools in Wisconsin.

#1. Wisconsin Technical College

The Welding Technician program will teach you the metal fabrication and welding techniques needed to carry out the duties of entry-level jobs in the industry. 

You could also learn how to safely interpret blueprints, handle gas cylinders, and operate manual and automatic oxygen fuel-cutting equipment. 

Wisconsin’s welding program would teach you about gas metal arc welding and flux core arc welding processes. 

This program offers thorough education, mostly through hands-on practice with various welding techniques. 

The welding program is a great alternative if you enjoy manual labor and desire a challenging job.

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#2. Madison Area Technical College (MATC). 

This school’s Madison-Truax and Fort Atkinson campuses offer a one-year Technical Diploma in Welding. 

The diploma equips graduates for work in various welding sectors, including pipe welding and working with various metals. 

Students may finish a GMAW class at the Portage campus to obtain certification in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) alone. 

Students can also earn certification in metal fabrication and welding by passing an additional 11-credit course (one semester). This welding program’s tuition was $5,637.

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See Also: 10 Best Welding Schools In Indiana |Requirements & Cost| A Detailed Guide

#3. Blackhawk Technical College

In this curriculum, you will learn how to weld structural steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals, all in their cutting-edge advanced manufacturing training facility. 

These are some of the useful work skills acquired through this program:

  • Oxygen-Fuel Cutting (OFC)
  • Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
  • Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
  • Metal Core Arc Welding (MCAW)
  •  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

 Students who complete this program will be qualified for entry-level jobs in industries such as robotics, engineering, racing, farm maintenance and fabrication, and the military.

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#4. Gateway Technical College

You’ll find that this welding school has the most welcoming and encouraging environment in the entire state. This university is considered a top choice for starting a new chapter in your life while studying. 

Your stay will be comfortable thanks to the campus’s cutting-edge amenities and selection of top-notch residence halls, study spaces, and recreational opportunities. 

It takes 43 credits to complete the outstanding welding program. Although this program qualifies for funding and financial help, the tuition is about $9000. 

With the choice to specialize in robotics or pipe welding, you’ll receive practical instruction in advanced welding ideas.

By acquiring the skills and information in this school that businesses in the construction, engineering, auto, and aerospace industries require, you can improve your job possibilities.

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Check Also: 10 Best Welding Schools In Louisiana |Requirements & Cost

#5. William Rainey Harper College

This welding school provides students interested in professions in metalworking with immediate employment as welders, solders, cutters, braziers, sheet metal workers, structural metal fabricators, or fitters with a hands-on training curriculum in welding technology. 

The program strongly emphasizes welding theory and real-world application of the main types of welding. Students get the knowledge and abilities essential to passing welder certification exams while learning to understand welding designs. 

The professors, instructors, and teachers are well-trained and equipped to meet your demands.

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#6. Rock Valley College

Rock Valley College is different in the educational system as one of the top options, with some of the most cutting-edge educational boards and teaching methods. 

The college offers a variety of theoretical and applied studies that can assist any student in developing into a reputable professional. The campus is fantastic and has lots of enjoyable activities. 

Rock Valley College provides one of the region’s most complete welding programs. 

You can learn how to use standard manual and semi-automatic welding methods.

You will be prepared for an entry-level position in the welding, construction, manufacturing, and fabrication industries by taking courses in industrial safety, blueprint reading, basic metal fabrication, and welding. 

After completion, the certificate will give students a foundational credential for work in the manufacturing sector.

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Read More: Welding Schools In Rhode Island | A Detailed Guide

#7. College of Lake County

A renowned and top-notch location to learn and develop is the College of Lake County. With one of the best curricula in the nation, the college employs a very clever pedagogical strategy. 

Every theoretical or practical program is made to provide you with the most recent, fascinating, and helpful material for your future job. 

The course trains students in welding, soldering, and brazing techniques in preparation for employment and career growth in those fields. 

Your choice of program will determine how long it takes for you to complete your training at this welding school. An associate degree, for instance, takes 24 months, or two years, to complete compared to a certificate’s four months.

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#8. Mid-state Technical College

The welding program in this school equips graduates with the skills necessary for a wide range of welding positions in the manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and production sectors. 

Many welding techniques, such as shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, submerged arc, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc, and arc-air cutting, will be covered in-depth during your practical training. 

You will also learn about different metal types, fabrication, and welding according to industry standards. If you complete this program successfully, you’ll be ready to sit for welding certification exams.

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#9. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

As a welding graduate, you can build and repair metal components using the major welding processes taught in this welding school.

You will know blueprints, metallurgy, and layout and can weld to AWS and ASME codes. Typical careers include maintenance welders, qualified welders, structural welders, welder/fabricators, and pipe welders.

Other career opportunities include construction trade welders, ironworkers, millwrights, sheet metal welders, and pipe trades welders.

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#10. Moraine Park Technical College

Do you want to know how to become a welder in Wisconsin?  

The welding and fabrication skills required in today’s industry are taught to individuals through Moraine Park’s technical welding diploma program. Students develop skills in all welding roles through practical training in a welding lab. 

Students who complete the course will be able to read welding drawings, use metal fabrication tools, perform thermal cutting, produce gas metal arc welds (GMAW), produce gas tungsten arc welds (GTAW), produce shielded metal arc welds (SMAW), produce flux cored arc welds (FCAW), and demonstrate safety procedures.

VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITE 

ALSO READ: Best Welding Trade Schools In The USA

Frequently Asked Questions on Welding Schools in Wisconsin

What Are The Functions of a welder?

Before assembling the necessary supplies, welders examine blueprints and drawings for new welding tasks. They fix machinery, repair, cut materials, and patch holes in metal structures using specialized heat-wielding instruments.

Do Welders in Wisconsin Require a License?

A license is not required; however, Welders are not permitted to carry out structural welding procedures in Wisconsin unless they have obtained certification by passing a test given by a Wisconsin State-Certified Weld Test Conductor. 

Further than that, there are no other state-specific criteria for welders.

References 

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