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Welding Career Pathways

Explore our training bundles designed to match different career goals

Welding: A Faster, Smarter Path to a High-Paying Career

Skip the 2–4 years and $20,000+ college price tag—welding offers a faster, more affordable route to a rewarding career. If you like working with your hands and building things, welding could be the right fit. From indoor shops to outdoor sites—even underwater—this trade spans industries across the country and beyond. Rig welders can earn up to $95/hour, and union opportunities offer strong pay and benefits. Our fast-track program gets you certified and job-ready in 2–6 months.

Most grads start at $20/hour with full benefits, and pay climbs with experience and additional certifications. We also help students connect with employers and teach job-seeking skills specific to the trade. If you’re aiming to join a union, we offer career packages tailored to fields like Ironwork, Longshoring, and Pipe Welding. Explore your options below or visit our welding courses page for full program details.

Choose Your Welding Career Path

Welding offers a wide range of career options across major industries. Whether you want to be an all-around welder working on structural and pressure piping systems—or specialize in a specific field—there’s a path for you. Opportunities include ironwork and heavy fabrication, pressure piping in refineries and power plants, cross-country pipeline work, and aerospace welding on aircraft and spacecraft components. You can also focus on food and beverage processing systems, light-gauge structural work like framing and decking, or motorsports and automotive welding, including I-CAR certification.

For those seeking something more extreme, underwater welding opens up specialized opportunities on submerged structures. Choose your track and enroll in the welding career builder bundle that fits your goals.

Hands-on welding programs for every skill level

From first-time welders to advanced professionals, our courses are designed to give you the skills, certifications, and confidence you need.

Bundle 1: All Around Welder

Structural and pipe. This 24-week course is the foundation for a more versatile welding career.

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Bundle 2: Ironworker Welder

This 24-week course is for those who want to work primarily in steel building construction or fabrication.

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Bundle 3: Process Pressure Piping Welder

This 24-week course specializes in pipe welding and fabrication for pressure vessels and low pressure piping systems

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Bundle 4: Pipeline Welder

This 24-week course specializes in pipe welding for oil, natural gas, water and other pipelines.

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Bundle 5: Aerospace Welder

This 24-week course specializes in TIG welding for Aerospace Applications, requiring high precision.

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Bundle 6: Food & Beverage Processing Industry Welder

This 16-week course specializes in welding for hygienic/sanitary applications.

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Bundle 7: Light Gage Welder (Decking & Framing)

This 24-week course specializes in welding for decking and framing.

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Bundle 8: Motorsports Welder

This 24-week course specializes in welding for motorsports fabrication.

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Bundle 9: I-Car Automotive Welder

This 24-week course specializes in welding for automotive applications.

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Bundle 10: Underwater Welder (Dry Welder)

This 24-week course prepares you for a career as an underwater welder.

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Find Your Welding Career Path Today

Welding can take you in many directions—some thrive in clean, indoor environments where precision and routine matter most, while others prefer hands-on field work, variety, and the thrill of working outdoors. Whether you’re creative and detail-oriented or adventurous and driven, our programs are designed to match your strengths and career goals.

I'm Interested

Real Stories. Real Welders. Real Results.

Lolo L.
18:12 07 Apr 25
I attended the Intro to welding course over this weekend and really enjoyed it. All of the instructors were encouraging and friendly. I would definitely recommend!
Cadence E.
23:29 22 Mar 25
I did the Tig course here, it was great, George and Mariana are great instructors and they know what they’re talking about. They were even able to help get me a job right out of school where i’m working 50+ hr weeks. Only thing I would say is make sure you have money for tools and material. Other than that I highly recommend.
J A.
05:41 28 Feb 25
Had previously taken the CWI part B a few times and wasn't quite getting over the hump so I decided to give Advaced Weldtec a try for my training hrs and it was great. Lots of questions were answered and things clarified. I liked the seminar so much I decided to get a private train session to shore up things I was still on the fence on as I didn't want to repeat the process and exam AGAIN. George is old school and extremely knowledgeable, Mariana is a killer highly skilled, both are tough but friendly. you can tell they're both very smart really know their stuff and take this very seriously. If you're on your journey to CWI I'd highly recommend the seminar in whole or part and privates if needed. Education well worth the investment. Oh yeah I passed my part B and now a CWI.
cody Y.
23:40 08 Jan 25
Amazing school. Good equipment and extremely knowledgeable teachers. This place teaches you a lot more then just welding but on the job tips and advice as well
vianka E.
21:58 12 Jul 24
I was here for a short while but I enjoyed it ! I took the motorsport bundle (mig tig stick) and I eventually enjoyed tig more than any other process. I now have a career out of welding for a motorcycle exhaust company and I couldn’t have done it without starting at this school. George and Mariana gave me great opportunities during and after school and i’m highly greatful! 😁
Danielle P.
13:45 30 Jun 24
This school changed my life to say the least and George and Mariana are excellent! I took their aerospace course back in 2019! Those 6 months were some of the hardest, yet most rewarding months of my life. They push you to do your best and always make sure you know there is room for improvement! They help you find work if needed and opportunities to gain more certifications are always a priority. The way George and Mariana have taught me is something I will forever be grateful for and the way they continue to help me when needed is so amazing!
Brooke C.
22:11 07 Jun 24
great place to get prepared for your welding career!
Megan S.
19:28 06 Jun 24
Attending California Welding Institute was such a different experience and brought me out of my comfort zone, but it was definitely worth it. The instructors, George and Mariana, have taught me everything that I know, and I am now a certified welder. I can tell you one thing, this school is NOT for the weak! They mean business when you walk in those gates and everything is very straight foward. They have so much knowledge and experience, I would not have gained what I know anywhere else. I appreciate everything they've done for me and continue to do for me even a year later. I cannot thank you guys enough for giving me a complete future in the welding industry and starting me off with a professional stand point! Thank you so much!
Ryan W.
18:05 06 Jun 24
I’m forever grateful for the skills I learned during my 6 months at California Welding Institute. The facility is always improving and I was able to get a higher paying job in welding because of the technical skills I learned here. The high-structure/real life format is unlike most welding schools and that’s why it stands out. I would recommend this school for future welders and welders looking to take their career to the next level. Worth every penny!