Before you start any new career, you must research it first.
This is especially true for welding, and we prepared some basic information in this article.
What Is Welding?
Welding is a process in which two pieces of metal get fused together using a variety of tools and methods.
The process also uses heat.
Duties Of a Welder
A welder is not without responsibilities.
These are the most important ones:
- Being able to understand and follow instructions from blueprints or sketches
- Choosing a welding method suited for the metals that need to be fused
- Likewise, making sure that the equipment used is the correct one for the chosen method
- Performing maintenance on the tools and not only, so that everything meets the standards
Getting Hired as a Welder in Oklahoma
Certified welders have plenty of industries waiting for them.
Here are some examples:
- Construction of buildings and bridges
- Auto and motorcycle fabrication and repair
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace applications
- Shipbuilding
Career Alternatives
As a welder, you have many other career paths open.
Here are some examples from Oklahoma:
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Soldering
- Plumber
- Pipefitter
- Steamfitter
- Brazing
Incentives on Becoming a Welder
While everyone has different reasons to choose a career over another.
However, some of the reasons can be common for more people.
For instance, finding employment as a welder can be very easy and the job market is expected to grow as well.
Additionally, there are a variety of fields where a skilled welder is needed.
If you’re searching for a career where you can be proud of the work you do, you might just have found it in welding.
Average Welder’s Salary in Oklahoma
On average, a welder in Oklahoma makes $37,161 per year, while on a national level this income is around $39,533 per year.
The top 10% of welders in Oklahoma have a salary of about $42,693 per year.
Across the country, the top 10% of welders make around $45,418 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Certified Welders in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $37,490 |
| Tulsa | $37,849 |
| Norman | $37,252 |
| Lawton | $33,643 |
| Broken Arrow | $37,731 |
| Edmond | $37,371 |
| Enid | $37,134 |
| Stillwater | $37,134 |
| Muskogee | $37,493 |
| Bartlesville | $37,493 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 100 | $50,740 | $24.39 | $88,380 | $30,880 |
| Lawton, OK | 50 | $47,170 | $22.68 | $76,660 | $30,690 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2,450 | $49,910 | $24 | $66,000 | $37,570 |
| Tulsa, OK | 3,860 | $52,470 | $25.23 | $64,280 | $38,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Top Training Schools in Oklahoma
In this section you can find a few more details about the schools we have on our list.
Tulsa Welding School
Currently there is just one program offering training for welders.
This is the Professional Welder Program that lasts about 7 months to complete, if you graduate in normal time.
Guthrie Job Corps Center
You should choose this school if you want to participate in the Advanced Technology Welding program.
This program lasts between 8 and 12 weeks.
Meridian Technology Center
This center offers training for Welder I as well as for Welder II.
Mid Del Technology Center
To get your diploma from this center, you must complete 840 credit hours.
Here you learn all 6 major welding programs.
North West Tech
There are several reasons to enroll here, the most important being the possibility of getting some financial help.
Another good reason is that if you need some advice regarding your career, you can get that as well.
Wes Watkins Technology Center
Those who enroll at this center can choose from 4 different training programs.
14 Welding Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| 4c Welding And Industrial Center, Inc | 2689 US 70 Hwy. Hugo, OK 74743 United States |
| Eastern Oklahoma Vocational Center | 4601 N. Choctaw Rd, Choctaw, OK 73020 United States |
| Gordon Cooper Vocational Tech School | One John C Bruton Blvd, Shawnee, OK 74801 United States |
| Great Plains Area Vo-Tech School | 4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton, OK 73505 United States |
| Guthrie Job Corps Center | Default Job Corps Center, 3106 West University, Guthrie, OK 73044 United States |
| Meridian Technology Center | 1312 South Sangre Rd, Stillwater, OK 74074 United States |
| Mid Del Lewis Eubanks Area | Vo-Tech, 1621 Maple Drive, Midwest City, OK 73112 United States |
| Mid-America Vo-Tech | P.O. Box H, Wayne, OK 73095 United States |
| Moore Norman Tech Center | 4701 12Th Ave NW, Norman, OK 73071 United States |
| North West Technology Center – Fairview | 801 Vo-Tech Drive, Fairview, OK 73737 United States |
| Pioneer Technology Center | 2101 N. Ashponca City, OK 74601 United States |
| Red River Technology Center | P.O. Box 1807, Duncan, OK 73534 United States |
| Tri County Technology Center | 6101 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville, OK 74006 United States |
| Wes Watkins Technology Center | 7892 HWY 9 Wetumka, OK 74883 United States |
Make sure to recheck the information in the table as it could be outdated.
Conclusion
We think that now you have plenty of information to be able to make a decision.
You should really learn everything you can about each school and then embark on your new career.
Welding Schools by City
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