WELD · CA

Welding Schools in California

69 schools in California reported welding graduates for 2023-24, 3,228 awards in all. Sorted by number of graduates.

Cerritos College

11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 214
AUTO 184
CNC 33
BODY 29

Grads 2023-24: 214 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,364
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,657

Universal Technical Institute-Southern California

4175 E. Conant Street, Long Beach, CA · Private for-profit, 2-year

WELD 195
AUTO 423
DSL 82
BODY 73

Grads 2023-24: 195 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $24,300 9 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $45,023 undergraduate certificate

Summit College

804 E Brier Dr, San Bernardino, CA · Private for-profit, under 2-year

WELD 193
ELEC 313
PLMB 45

Grads 2023-24: 193 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $17,495 9 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $43,078 undergraduate certificate

Advanced Career Institute

1243 N. Clancy Street, Visalia, CA · Private for-profit, under 2-year

WELD 190
CDL 1,031

Grads 2023-24: 190 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $13,770 10 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $42,736 undergraduate certificate

Butte College

3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 177
HEO 53
AUTO 24
CNST 8
DSL 6

Grads 2023-24: 177 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,374
Median pay 1 yr out: $44,449 undergraduate certificate

Universal Technical Institute of California Inc

9494 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Private for-profit, 2-year

WELD 170
AUTO 539
DSL 115
IMT 24

Grads 2023-24: 170 welding
Largest program 2025-26: $58,300
Median pay 1 yr out: $45,023 undergraduate certificate

Merced College

3600 M St, Merced, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 160
AUTO 99
ELEC 30
IMT 4

Grads 2023-24: 160 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,202
Median pay 1 yr out: $43,274 undergraduate certificate

UEI College-Gardena

661 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, Gardena, CA · Private for-profit, 2-year

WELD 96
AUTO 94
HVAC 86
ELEC 83

Grads 2023-24: 96 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $21,500 9 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $34,817 undergraduate certificate

CET-San Diego

4153 Market Street, San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit, under 2-year

WELD 85
CNST 66
ELEC 14

Grads 2023-24: 85 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $15,500 8 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $40,502 undergraduate certificate

Long Beach City College

4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 83
AUTO 107
CNST 21

Grads 2023-24: 83 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,560
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $44,903

Cuesta College

Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 79
A&P 24
ELEC 22
AUTO 8
CNST 7
BODY 6

Grads 2023-24: 79 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,350
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $53,127

Allan Hancock College

800 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 70
AUTO 49
BODY 26
CNC 5

Grads 2023-24: 70 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,158
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,603

Fresno City College

1101 E. University Ave, Fresno, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 69
CNST 47
IMT 26
BODY 13
AUTO 9
DSL 1

Grads 2023-24: 69 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,334
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $39,674

Riverside City College

4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 68
AUTO 73
BODY 26

Grads 2023-24: 68 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,428
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $44,956

Modesto Junior College

435 College Ave, Modesto, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 64
BODY 35
AUTO 21
ELEC 5
CNC 5

Grads 2023-24: 64 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,276
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $45,551

Victor Valley College

18422 Bear Valley Rd, Victorville, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 57
A&P 160
AUTO 48
CNST 9

Grads 2023-24: 57 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,449
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $39,827

Los Angeles Trade Technical College

400 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 56
AUTO 197
ELEC 189
IMT 173
DSL 70
PLMB 40
CARP 37
CNST 26
BODY 23
CNC 14

Grads 2023-24: 56 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,238
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,277

Tri-Community Adult Education

231 Stephanie Drive, Covina, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 55

Grads 2023-24: 55 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $4,475 15 mo

Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc

4100 Duckhorn Drive, Sacramento, CA · Private for-profit, 2-year

WELD 55
AUTO 394
DSL 133

Grads 2023-24: 55 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $24,050 9 mo
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $53,540

Santa Ana College

1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 50
AUTO 111
DSL 30
CNC 28

Grads 2023-24: 50 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,188
Median pay 1 yr out: $55,962 undergraduate certificate

Santa Rosa Junior College

1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 50
AUTO 185
CNC 44
DSL 33
ELEC 1

Grads 2023-24: 50 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,318
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $52,482

Barstow Community College

2700 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 47
IMT 44
AUTO 28
DSL 19

Grads 2023-24: 47 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,104
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $39,138

Mt San Antonio College

1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 47
A&P 64

Grads 2023-24: 47 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,364
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $49,600

CET-El Centro

294 S 3rd St, El Centro, CA · Private nonprofit, under 2-year

WELD 45
CDL 52
CNST 27

Grads 2023-24: 45 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $15,000 8 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $40,502 undergraduate certificate

Reedley College

995 N Reed Ave, Reedley, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 44
A&P 68
AUTO 39
CNC 14

Grads 2023-24: 44 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,334
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,903

CET-Colton

1099 N. Pepper Ave, Colton, CA · Private nonprofit, under 2-year

WELD 42
ELEC 58
HVAC 20
AUTO 12
CNST 7

Grads 2023-24: 42 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $15,500 8 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $40,502 undergraduate certificate

Palomar College

1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 42
ELEC 30
AUTO 20
CARP 12
DSL 8
BODY 5
CNC 3

Grads 2023-24: 42 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,356
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $48,110

Institute of Technology

564 W Herndon, Clovis, CA · Private for-profit, 2-year

WELD 41
HVAC 149

Grads 2023-24: 41 welding
Largest program 2025-26: $33,367
Median pay 1 yr out: $42,870 undergraduate certificate

College of the Redwoods

7351 Tompkins Hill Rd, Eureka, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 40
AUTO 15
CARP 12
ELEC 12
CNC 6

Grads 2023-24: 40 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,198
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $40,798

Hacienda La Puente Adult Education

14101 E. Nelson Ave, La Puente, CA · Public, under 2-year

WELD 39
HVAC 44

Grads 2023-24: 39 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $2,868
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,693

College of the Sequoias

915 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 34
AUTO 225
ELEC 137
IMT 76
CNST 25

Grads 2023-24: 34 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,394
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $43,147

CET-Watsonville

10 Blanca Lane, Watsonville, CA · Private nonprofit, under 2-year

WELD 34
CNST 34

Grads 2023-24: 34 welding
Program tuition 2023-24: $15,500 8 mo
Median pay 1 yr out: $40,502 undergraduate certificate

Shasta College

11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 32
AUTO 22
HEO 11
DSL 7
CNC 3

Grads 2023-24: 32 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,199
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $43,608

San Joaquin Delta College

5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 31
DSL 102
AUTO 95
ELEC 69
BODY 2
CNC 2

Grads 2023-24: 31 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,180
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,256

Orange Coast College

2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 30
CNST 74
CNC 46
A&P 34
PLMB 6
ELEC 5

Grads 2023-24: 30 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,222
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $53,930

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 30
AUTO 117
CNC 30
ELEC 16

Grads 2023-24: 30 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,334
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $53,180

American River College

4700 College Oak Dr, Sacramento, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 29
CARP 491
PLMB 68
ELEC 36
AUTO 22
DSL 20
IMT 11
BODY 2
CNST 1

Grads 2023-24: 29 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,288
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $44,544

Cosumnes River College

8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 29
AUTO 90
CNST 10

Grads 2023-24: 29 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,288
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,541

Cerro Coso Community College

3000 College Heights Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 28

Grads 2023-24: 28 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,384
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,042

Antelope Valley Community College District

3041 West Ave K, Lancaster, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 27
A&P 511
BODY 55
ELEC 26
AUTO 11

Grads 2023-24: 27 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,124
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $39,944

Imperial Valley College

380 E. Aten Road, Imperial, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 25
CNST 34
IMT 28
AUTO 23
ELEC 21
DSL 9

Grads 2023-24: 25 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,148
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $40,691

Palo Verde College

One College Drive, Blythe, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 23
AUTO 22
CNST 2

Grads 2023-24: 23 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,288
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,518

Yuba College

2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 23
AUTO 18

Grads 2023-24: 23 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,128
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $43,464

Los Medanos College

2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 20
AUTO 21
IMT 21
BODY 1

Grads 2023-24: 20 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,128
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $49,834

Ventura College

4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 19
AUTO 87
DSL 5

Grads 2023-24: 19 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,416
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,592

Coalinga College

300 Cherry Lane, Coalinga, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 18
HEO 17
CDL 1

Grads 2023-24: 18 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,384
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,656

The Fab School

9571 Pittsburgh Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Private for-profit, under 2-year

WELD 14

Grads 2023-24: 14 welding
Largest program 2025-26: $31,125
Median pay 1 yr out: $43,690 undergraduate certificate

Columbia College

11600 Columbia College Dr, Sonora, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 14
AUTO 10

Grads 2023-24: 14 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,276
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $39,958

El Camino Community College District

16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 14
AUTO 57
CNC 34
CNST 9
BODY 7

Grads 2023-24: 14 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,156
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $47,561

Bakersfield College

1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 12
AUTO 52
IMT 6
CNST 1

Grads 2023-24: 12 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,450
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $41,011

Sierra College

5100 Sierra College Blvd, Rocklin, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 11
CNC 3
AUTO 2
CNST 1

Grads 2023-24: 11 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,448
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $48,499

Solano Community College

4000 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 10
AUTO 47
A&P 10

Grads 2023-24: 10 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,172
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $47,449

Napa Valley College

2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 10
CNC 5

Grads 2023-24: 10 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,156
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $55,399

Hartnell College

411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 10
AUTO 18
IMT 1

Grads 2023-24: 10 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,404
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $49,016

College of the Desert

43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 8
AUTO 109

Grads 2023-24: 8 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,326
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $44,228

College of the Canyons

26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 8
AUTO 17
CNST 2

Grads 2023-24: 8 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,170
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $52,411

Taft College

29 Cougar Court, Taft, CA · Public, 4-year

WELD 8

Grads 2023-24: 8 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,108
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $44,265

Cabrillo College

6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 7

Grads 2023-24: 7 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,270
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $48,956

Las Positas College

3000 Campus Hill Drive, Livermore, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 7
AUTO 15
DSL 4

Grads 2023-24: 7 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,348
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $57,379

Los Angeles Pierce College

6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 7
AUTO 71
CNC 5

Grads 2023-24: 7 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,238
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $47,028

Laney College

900 Fallon Sreet, Oakland, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 6
CARP 13
CNC 12
ELEC 5
CNST 2
IMT 1

Grads 2023-24: 6 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,258
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,812

Pasadena City College

1570 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 5
AUTO 214
CNC 9

Grads 2023-24: 5 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,180
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $47,494

Fullerton College

321 E Chapman Avenue, Fullerton, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 4
CNST 24
AUTO 21

Grads 2023-24: 4 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,150
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $49,216

Madera Community College

30277 Avenue 12, Madera, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 4
IMT 2

Grads 2023-24: 4 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,334

San Bernardino Valley College

701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 4
AUTO 16
DSL 15
ELEC 15
BODY 10
A&P 9
CNC 3
IMT 2

Grads 2023-24: 4 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,185
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $43,912

Compton College

1111 East Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 3
BODY 23
AUTO 15
CNC 7

Grads 2023-24: 3 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,142
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $41,664

Lassen Community College

478-200 Hwy 139, Susanville, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 3
AUTO 8
CNC 8

Grads 2023-24: 3 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,144
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $42,005

Glendale Community College

1500 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 2
CNC 6

Grads 2023-24: 2 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,195
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $46,476

College of the Siskiyous

800 College Ave, Weed, CA · Public, 2-year

WELD 2

Grads 2023-24: 2 welding
In-state tuition/yr 2025-26: $1,444
Median pay 10 yrs, all: $43,783

Welding Schools by city

Licensing in California

Requirements are set by California (and sometimes your city), not by the school. Look up the current rules for welders on CareerOneStop's License Finder for California. General path: Welding Schools overview.

BLS puts the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California at $58,060 (middle 80% from $44,520 to $81,940), May 2025. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Questions, answered from the data

How many welding schools are there in California?

69 schools in California reported welding graduates to the Department of Education for 2023-24, 3,228 awards in all (2,900 undergraduate certificates, 328 associate degrees).

How long is welding school?

Among the 10 welding programs in California that reported a length to IPEDS for 2023-24, the median took 9 months to finish. Community college associate degrees usually take two years full time.

How much does welding school cost in California?

At schools that price by program, the median published tuition and fees for a whole welding program was $15,500 in 2023-24 (11 programs reporting, from $2,868 to $24,300); public two-year colleges teaching it charge a median $1,288 a year in-state (2025-26). Grants and aid lower what most students pay.

How much does a welder make in California?

The BLS median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California was $58,060 in May 2025; the lowest-paid 10% earned under $44,520 and the top 10% over $81,940.

What do welding graduates earn right after school?

Across 14 schools in California with College Scorecard data, the median of their graduates' median earnings one year after a certificate was $42,974. Scorecard reports this for the broader program family and only for federally aided graduates.

All trade schools in California

Sources: IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Directory (HD2024), NCES; College Scorecard institution data (2025-26 charges, released Nov 2, 2026) and field-of-study data (Oct 15, 2026); FMCSA Training Provider Registry (as of 2026-11-02); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked 2026-11-02. How we build this list.