How Long are Welding School Programs?
With skilled welders retiring faster than they’re being replaced, demand for trained professionals is skyrocketing. For every 50 welders leaving the field, only 7 are stepping in to take their place. That gap creates a major opportunity for anyone ready to launch a hands-on, high-paying career.
In this article, we compare three top welding schools—Elite Welding Academy, Western Welding Academy, and Missouri Welding Institute—to break down typical program lengths and help you find the right fit for your goals.
Average Length of Welding Programs
On average, welding schools and academies offer programs that range from 3 months to 2 years, depending on whether they provide certificates or degrees. In today’s report, I will be comparing three competing welding institutes with comparable programs and educational offerings. Many dedicated welding trade schools, such as Elite Welding Academy, Western Welding Academy, and Missouri Welding Institute, provide programs that typically last between 4 to 6 months. This duration is most common for students looking to quickly enter the workforce.
Elite Welding Academy
Elite Welding Academy – 6 months (900 hours): Covers structural and pipe welding, including SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW, with AWS/ASME certification prep.
Missouri Welding Institute
Missouri Welding Institute – 11 to 18 weeks (440-720 hours): Master Structural Welding (11 weeks) and Master Pipe Welding (18 weeks).
Western Welding Academy
Western Welding Academy – 6 months (960 hours): Offers a structured pipe welding course, with modular options for more flexible learning.
Summary
Most specialized welding schools, including Elite Welding Academy, focus on 6-month intensive programs to prepare students for real-world welding jobs quickly. While some schools offer shorter structural welding courses or longer advanced programs, a 6-month timeline fits the perfect balance between in-depth training and fast job placement.
Interested in checking out Elite Welding Academy for yourself? Schedule a tour today with the EWA Tour Scheduler!