Welding Classes in Tennessee (Top Schools)

Many people agree that welding is both a difficult and rewarding occupation.

Those citizens of the State of Tennessee who want to become a welder can find more information from this article.

We put together a few tips to help you decide if this is an occupation you may want to pursue or not, as well as a list of schools providing training for it.

What is Welding?

Knowing more about this trade is helpful when trying to decide for or against it.

A welder uses heat in combination with a variety of tools and methods to join pieces of metal.

Welding, Soldering, or Brazing?

Some folks use these terms interchangeably because they use a similar purpose, methods or tools.

The major difference is that in soldering and brazing, one has to use a so-called filler to join metals.

In welding there’s no need for a filler as higher temperatures are needed.

When comparing soldering with brazing, they use different types of fillers and with the former, stronger structures can be made.

Most Used Welding Methods

There are many welding methods available, however only a few are used more:

• Stick (or Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
• MIG (or Gas Metal Arc Welding)
• TIG (or Tungsten Inert Gas Welding)
• Plasma Arc Welding
• Flux-Cored Welding
• Gas or Oxy-Acetylene Welding.

Safety Tips

Because of the high temperature one has to handle while welding, this is a dangerous job.

Here are some safety tips:

• Read and properly follow the instructions of the tools you’re using, to avoid accidents.
• Use only high quality gear designed for welding to ensure maximum protection of your head, feet, skin and eyes.
• Don’t forget to clean, tidy and ventilate the area you work in, as doing so also minimizes the risk of accidents.

Median Income for a Tennessee Welder

It’s normal to want to know how much money you’ll earn doing a certain job.

Most welders in Tennessee earn on average $35,916 annually which is very close to the national average salary for this occupation: $39,533.

The welders in the top 10% can make about $41,262 which is actually lower than what the best paid welders earn around the country.

Their annual salary is of about $45,418.

Regional Salary

Top Certification Schools

Those interested in becoming a welder has many options to choose from, in Tennessee.

Welding is being taught both in high schools and in community colleges.

High Schools With Welding Programs

There are 4 high schools in Tennessee offering training in welding.

Here are some details:

• Grundy County High School wants its students to turn into responsible and productive citizens.
• Oak Ridge High School is part of a groups of schools offering education to students starting pre-school, up to high school

Learning Welding at a Community College

Tennessee has good community colleges where you can enroll in a welding program:

• Chattanooga State’s program lasts 1 year and teaches several welding techniques.
• Northeast State Community College offers a combination welding degree and a industrial welding fabrication program.

Trade Schools

While there are more trade schools in the states, the Tennessee Technology Center is probably the best known since it has 10 campuses.

Conclusion

Now that you know a bit more regarding what is expected of you on the job, all you have to do is enroll at a training school.

Don’t forget to analyze their programs better before choosing.

Welding Schools by City

• Chattanooga2 Schools
• Knoxville2 Schools
• Memphis6 Schools
• Nashville4 Schools

This page is also available in Spanish.