The 18 Top Welding Schools for Certification in Washington State
Looking for the Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State? If so, you’re exactly where you need to be. The following article provides detailed contact information for each of the best welding trade schools in Washington state. This includes an underwater diving technology school.
All in all, there are 18 vocational schools with welding classes for your consideration.
The Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State: Overview
- The 18 Best Welding Schools in Washington State
- Welding Classes Seattle
- Underwater Welding Schools in Washington State
- Why You Should Become a Welder in Washington: Good Welding Jobs
- How Much Do Welders Make in Washington?
- Welding Schools in the Bordering States
- Basic Welding Information
- Careers Like Welding in Washington
- Important Welding Safety Tips
The 18 Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State
If you’re interested in a career in welding, you’ll first need to attend a technical school to prepare you to pass the necessary tests for your welding certification. Some of the schools listed below are high schools with welding classes, while others are technical colleges/centers where you can learn welding after graduating from high school. Each of the following schools has its accreditation from the American Welding Society (AWS).
Welding Classes Seattle
One of the most popular searches is for welding classes in Seattle. If you’re looking to attend a welding school in Seattle, you should consider attending Tulsa Welding School. In addition to helping you obtain your welding certificate, this vocational school offers a variety of other student services:
- Financial assistance
- Career services & part-time job help
- Housing & transportation support
Contact Info for the 18 Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State:
List of Welding School Locations
But Tulsa Welding School isn’t the only place to take welding classes in Washington State. In fact, there are 17 more perfectly viable options!
Below is contact information for enrollment in the rest of the welding vocational schools in Washington.
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Underwater Welding Schools in Washington State
Without a doubt, The Divers Institute of Technology is one of the best welding schools in Washington. For welders who want specialized training in marine diving technology, this is a godsend.
For information about things such as tuition and how long the programs take, see The 9 Best Underwater Welding Schools in the US.
Why You Should Become a Welder in Washington State:
Good Welding Jobs in Washington
There are multiple reasons why you should become a welder in Washington. Actually, the primary reasons for pursuing welding are different for everyone:
- For some, the constant opportunity to learn more and earn higher certifications is enticing.
- Others relish in the artistic part of welding classes.
- Still, others are driven largely by the huge financial benefits.
Additionally, the employment outlook for welders is promising, as the demand for welders is high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects welding careers to grow by 6% in 2016 to 2026 (an increase of 22,500 jobs) with no expectations of stopping.
How Much Do Welders Make in Washington:
Average Welding Salary
In sum, it pays quite well to land a welding job in Washington state.
In the United States, the median average salary of welders is $39,390, or $21.90 per hour. For US welders with the best welding jobs, the top 10% of median pay is $62,100.
In comparison, the median average salary of welders in Washington is $48,160, or $23.16 per hour. In other words, welders in Washington earn more than average.
Welders in Washington who are earning in the 90th percentile make about $66,020 per year.
The Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State & Beyond: Bordering States
Notably, there are plenty of good welding training programs near you in states that border Washington. Therefore, consider expanding your search to include Washington’s neighbors.
- For more information about welding classes in Oregon, check out The Top 23 Welding Schools for Certification in Oregon. This article can also give you insight into how much welders make in Oregon, and how that compares to Washington.
- Additionally, we encourage you to take a gander at The 9 Top Welding Schools for Certification in Idaho. Yet another state that, if you’re willing to relocate or drive a little further, offers some fantastic welding jobs and schools.
Information Every Prospective Welding Student Should Know
Before enrolling in one of the Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State, it’s a good idea to know the basics. This way you know what you’re getting into. Also, you’ll have background information to make all of the new information from class a little easier to digest.
Wikipedia defines welding as “a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metal or thermoplastics, by causing fusion.” The finished project can be anything from a small art project to an enormous bridge.
Being a successful welder involves both mental and physical sharpness. Of course, welding requires physical strength, stamina, and dexterity. But it also involves the ability to interpret blueprints, self-motivation, and precise skill.
Depending on the blueprints, welders are responsible for measuring, cutting, and execution as well as maintaining safe welding machinery throughout the process.
Different Types of Welding Methods
Something you should be familiar with is the six most popular welding methods. Without a doubt, all of the Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State offer education relating to these methods. (Although there are over 100 different welding methods from which to choose.)
They are:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux-Cored Welding
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Tungsten Inert Gas Welding
- Gas or Oxy Acetylene Welding
- Plasma Arc Welding
For more details on each welding method, check out the video below:
Careers Like Welding in Washington: Soldering & Brazing
Another distinction you should be able to make is between soldering, brazing, and welding.
Like welding, soldering and brazing involve the connection of raw materials. However, lower temperatures are used. (Typically, this is below 850 degrees Fahrenheit/450 degrees Celsius.) Soldering implements a filler metal, or “solder.” In this process, the solder is heated and each piece of metal is attached to the solder.
Brazing is a similar process, only the filler metal heats even more. Frequently, a liquid flux material is utilized to blend the pieces together more easily. An advantage of brazing is that it produces a stronger structure than does soldering.
Important Welding Safety Tips
“The 18 Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State” wouldn’t be complete without adding some key safety tips. After all, welding can be extremely dangerous if things go awry.
- First, make sure to read everything. Because equipment manuals have important warnings, reading them carefully is a great way to prevent accidents.
- Second, invest in the best welding gear. This includes the best auto-darkening welding helmet, gloves, glasses, jacket, and shoes. And of course, make sure your skin is covered up to protect yourself from the heat.
- The third most crucial welding safety tip is to be mindful of the environment. In other words, make sure the area is clean, tidy, and well-ventilated.
The Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State: Conclusion
Hopefully, reading about the 18 Best Pipe Welding Schools in Washington State has inspired you to take the next step! Use the information from the previous table to contact your school of choice directly. Or, if you’re interested in learning about more technical vocations, check out the rest of the articles on Trades for Careers.