Wallace State Community College’s Welding program provides cutting‑edge training for today’s workforce. Graduates boast a 100 percent job placement rate, with starting salaries reaching $40,000 and growing substantially with experience.
Welding Technology
About the Program
Wallace State’s popular Welding Technology program delivers cutting-edge training for careers in structural and pipe welding. Welding is the primary method for permanently joining metal parts used in ships, automobiles, spacecraft, and countless manufactured products, and the field has evolved into a highly advanced, technology-driven industry. This evolution is reflected in Wallace State’s Center for Welding Technology, the newest building on campus, featuring 83 manual welding booths and state-of-the-art Lincoln Electric Power Wave 300C Advanced Welding Machines.
Students may pursue an AAS degree, certificate, or short-term certificates and gain hands-on training in industrial print reading, structural and pipe welding, inspection and testing, and numerous welding and cutting processes on carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. All graduates complete at least two AWS qualification tests, with the program offered on both the Hanceville and Oneonta campuses.
High School welding students from across North Alabama can show off their welding skills by competing for prizes and scholarships. The Local 91 Pipe Union from Birmingham are always the judges of the competition. For more details, email welding@wallacestate.edu.
College welding students from across North Alabama and Tennessee can show off their welding skills by competing for prizes and direct entry into the Boiler Makers Union and work at a TVA facility. For more details, email welding@wallacestate.edu.
Employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 45,600 openings for welders, cutters, solderers,
and brazers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings
are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different
occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $51,000 in
May 2024. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Program Overview
Welding
- Randy Hammond
- 256.352.8272
- welding@wallacestate.edu
Degrees/Awards Offered
AAS, C, STC
Availability
- Day
- Evening
Welding
Curriculum: Program of Study
Pathway Maps: Welding Technology, Robotic Welding Technician
Career Outlook
View Gainful Employment Information View career information on myCareer
Schedule & catalog
Get Started Today
Take the first step towards a better future.