Welding

Randy Hammond, Department Chair
256.352.8272
randy.hammond@wallacestate.edu
welding@wallacestate.edu

www.wallacestate.edu/welding

Associate in Applied Science Degree (4 Semesters)

Certificate (4 Semesters)

Short-Term Certificates (1 Semester)

At a Glance

Whether you are interested in structural or pipe welding, Wallace State’s popular Welding Technology program offers the most up-to-date training in the field with outstanding student outcomes. The Wallace State Welding Technology program can claim a 100 percent job placement rate over the past four years with salaries of up to $55,000 and increasing to $80,000 with just one year of experience.

Welding, the most common way of permanently joining metal parts, is used to construct and repair parts of ships, automobiles, spacecraft and thousands of other manufactured products. Heat is applied to the pieces to be joined, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. In recent years, welding has evolved into a highly sophisticated field filled with computer power wave welding machines and it is becoming more advanced every year. This evolution is evident in the welding department at Wallace State, which is equipped with state-of-the-art Lincoln Electric Power Waver 300C Advance Welding Machines. Wallace State’s Center for Welding Technology is the newest building on campus and has 83 manual welding booths. There is an increasing demand for qualified and certified welders, which has pushed salaries higher and kept the job market vibrant.

Program Description

Wallace State offers both a Welding Technology-AAS Degree and a Certificate in Welding pathway. The associates in applied science degree, certificate or short certificates offer a series of courses to teach students the knowledge and practical hands on skills in the following welding processes and equipment operation: industrial print reading, structural and pipe welding, weld inspection and testing. Students can learn how to safely set and perform welding and cutting on carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel using the following processes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, Pulse MIG, Pulse TIG, STT, RMD, AC High Frequency TIG, Submerge Arc, Oxy-fuel cutting and washing, Plasma Arc Cutting, and Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging. All graduating students must pass at least two AWS qualification tests before graduation on plate or pipe. This program is offered on the Hanceville and the Oneonta Campus.

Program Accreditations/Credentials

• National Coalition of Certifications Training Center - NC3
• Lincoln Electric Educational Partner School
• CWI/Certified Welding Inspectors
• AWS/American Welding Society Welding Educators

WSCC Welding Instructors have over 54 years of combined industry-construction welding and teaching experience.

Program Exit Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students will be required to obtain two (2) different industry AWS/ASME Welding Certifications in either 3G Structural, 5G or 6G using or a combination of Stick, Mig, Flux-core, STT and Tig Welding processes as part of the graduate program exit industry credentials.

Essential Functions

As a WSCC welding student, you will be expected to fulfill the physical demands described below to successfully perform the essential functions of assigned tasks. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Students must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
2. Specific visual acuity that includes close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
3. Students are required to walk, sit, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch while performing welding tasks.
4. Students are required to use their hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls.
5. The student is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
6. The student is required to talk and hear in the lab environments.
7. While performing duties or assignments, the student occasionally works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions.
8. The student is exposed to humid conditions and welding fumes if proper techniques are not used.
9. The noise level in the work environment is high.
10. Students are required to be punctual and have predictable attendance.
11. Students must be willing to follow instructions. 

Career Path

This program is designed to equip students who successfully complete the program with skills to qualify for entry-level or better positions in production welding, lay-out fabrication, new and existing facility construction, pipe and pressure vessel welders, boilermakers, maintenance and repair welders, management, welding education, business owner, certified welding inspector, certified welding educator, sales of welding equipment and consumables, power plant, or automotive manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for welding professionals in 2023 was as follows:

Welders, cutters, and brazers
$23.53 hourly
$48,940 annually

Boilermakers
$34.20 hourly
$71,140 annually

Materials Engineers
$50.05 hourly
$104,100 annually

Plumbers, pipe, and steamfitters
$29.59 hourly
$61,550 annually

Welding Instructors
$52,791-$67,793 annually

Transferable Program College Credits

ASU Business in Management-Technology B.S. Degree American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspectors*

*(up to one year credit for minimum AWS CWI requirements)