Welding Schools in Tennessee

Welding Schools In Tennessee

From manufacturing plants to shipbuilders and car manufacturers, many industries that use metals in their manufacturing process need good welders in their teams.

If you are located in Tennessee and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career in welding, on this page we have compiled relevant information about this career path and what you should expect in your future profession.

What Does a Welder Do?

Although this profession is very complex, the short definition is that welders use special machinery that emits high heat to join pieces of metal and repair damaged objects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest employer for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were metal manufacturers, specialty trade contractors, and companies in the field of repair and maintenance.

Some experienced welders start their own business after spending a few years as employees in a factory or shop.

Read further to find out more about the welder’s job description, employment prospects, and training options.

Job Prospects

Employment for these professions is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, with most job openings occurring on infrastructure repair and rebuild projects, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Welders who have completed post-secondary training and/or hold a certificate offered by the American Welding Society will have the best employment prospects.

How to Become a Welder

If you want to become a certified welder in Tennessee, there are several steps you need to follow:

  1. Finish high school or get your GED- a high school diploma or equivalent will usually be required before admission to a trade school
  2. Find the right post-secondary program – this is not always a requirement but it can help you prepare for the certification exam.
  3. Take the welding certification testing offered by the American Welding Society

From trade schools to community colleges, there are many places where you can learn how to weld in Tennessee

Although curriculum varies depending on the institution, a good welding school will usually teach you all the important skills you need for entry-level employment as a welder, such as:

  • Reading and understanding blueprints
  • How to weld metal parts, fill holes using specialized equipment
  • Calculating the dimensions of objects that will be welded together
  • Making sure that the welding is correctly done
  • Equipment usage and maintenance
  • Following safety procedures

Depending on the type of program and its complexity, welding programs can last between 7 months and 2 years depending on the type of program and the curriculum.

Costs vary between a few thousand and more than $15,000 depending on the duration of the program and the type of credential it offers- for example, diploma programs usually are shorter and less expensive than programs that offer an associate’s degree.

You can also learn the ins and outs of these professions through an apprenticeship and earn a salary while learning on the job.

To help you choose the program that best fits your needs and schedule, in the table below we have compiled information about the welding programs that are available in Tennessee.

43 Welding Schools in Welding Schools In Tennessee

Moore Tech School of Welding
475 N Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38105
901-726-5209
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919
865-546-5567
Lincoln College of Technology
1524 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
615-226-3990
Byington-Solway Technology Center
2700 Byington Solway Rd, Knoxville, TN 37931
865-693-3511
TCAT Nashville Portland Satellite
602 S Broadway, Portland, TN 37148
615-325-5575
Moore Tech
1200 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
901-726-1977
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens
1635 Vo-Tech Dr, Athens, TN 37303
423-744-2816
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
135 International Blvd, Clarksville, TN 37040
931-572-1695
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
910 Miller Ave, Crossville, TN 38555
931-484-7502
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro
1303 Old Fort Pkwy #3311, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
615-898-8010
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
740 TN-46, Dickson, TN 37055
615-441-6220
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton - Herman Robinson Campus
1500 Arney St, Elizabethton, TN 37643
423-543-0070
Greeneville Center For Tech
1121 Hal Henard Rd, Greeneville, TN 37743
423-639-3790
Anderson County Career and Tech Center
140 Maverick Cir, Clinton, TN 37716
865-457-4205
Tennessee Technology Center
230 S Broad St, Lexington, TN 38351
731-967-1795
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville
1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919
865-546-5567
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Newbern (Union City Campus)
214 S 2nd St, Union City, TN 38261
731-885-7798
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Hartsville
716 E McMurry Blvd, Hartsville, TN 37074
615-374-2147
Sevier County Vocational Educ
1150 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
865-453-1076
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology
813 W Main St, Hohenwald, TN 38462
931-796-5351
North Central Institute
168 Jack Miller Blvd, Clarksville, TN 37042
931-431-9700
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1685 US-64, Whiteville, TN 38075
731-254-8521
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton - Main Campus
426 TN-91, Elizabethton, TN 37643
423-543-0070
Total Tech LLC
909 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217
615-459-8024
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
2468 Technology Center Dr, Jackson, TN 38301
731-424-0691
Greene Technology Center
1121 Hal Henard Rd, Greeneville, TN 37743
423-639-0171
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology
180 Eli Ln, Oneida, TN 37841
423-286-2155
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Newbern
340 Washington St, Newbern, TN 38059
731-627-2511
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
740 Hi Tech Dr, Livingston, TN 38570
931-823-5525
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Harriman
1745 Harriman Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748
865-882-6703
The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology
401 Morgan St, Brownsville, TN 38012
731-772-8160
Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406
423-697-4400
TCAT Smyrna Campus / Nissan Training Facility
663 Ken Pilkerton Dr, Smyrna, TN 37167
615-898-8010
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
3435 Tchulahoma Rd, Memphis, TN 38118
901-543-6180
Science Hill CTE
251 Cotty Jones Ln, Johnson City, TN 37604
423-232-2200
Nats Inc
1161 Murfreesboro Pike #217, Nashville, TN 37217
615-333-8474
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Paris
312 S Wilson St, Paris, TN 38242
731-644-7365
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville
241 Vo Tech Dr, McMinnville, TN 37110
931-474-8324
Pellissippi State Community College Strawberry Plains Campus
7201 Strawberry Plains Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914
865-225-2300
Miller-Motte College
6397 Lee Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-414-3247
Moore Tech Automotive
2785 S Mendenhall Rd, Memphis, TN 38115
901-748-5384
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
265 Elkins Rd, Jacksboro, TN 37757
423-566-9629
Automotive Technology Building - Tennessee College of Applied Technology
901 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919
865-546-5567
Become a Welder, Find a School >

Welders in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for the state of Tennessee is $47,530.

Manufacturers account for $15.32 percent of Tennessee’s total output and employ approximately 11.45% of the workforce, according to the National Association of Manufacturers

The total output for all manufacturers was approximately $56 Billion in 2018.

The biggest manufacturing industry in Tennessee is motor vehicle manufacturing with a total output of approximately $10.6 Billion.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, motor vehicle manufacturers are the second biggest employer for welders nationwide.

As a welder in Tennessee, your job prospects are looking good, especially if you’re familiar with the motor vehicle fabrication industry.

You can also seek employment in other industries, such as fabricated metal products manufacturing or machinery manufacturers.

Manufacturers of metal products account for almost $4 Billion of the state’s output while manufacturers of machinery account for approximately $3.3 Billion.

Salaries for Welders in Tennessee

According to salary.com, the median annual wage for Tennesse welders with less than 3 years of experience is $39,364 as of April 2021- lower than the state average but salaries increase as welders become more experienced and earn additional certifications.

As an entry-level welder, you can make anywhere between less than $32,000 and more than $50,000.

Earning a post-secondary degree or certificate can improve your starting salary.

The same report calculates the median annual salary for welders with 3-5 years of experience at $45,464 with wages ranging between less than $36,000 and more than $56,000 depending on other factors, including the industry of employment and the level of education.

Welders with 5-7 years of experience reportedly earn $55,058 per year on average.

The lowest 10 percent of experienced welders reportedly made less than $42,023 while the highest 10 percent made more than $71,399.

Annual Salary Range:
ItemPercent
$30K
$45K
$71K

Average Salary of Welders in Welding Schools In Tennessee

City NameSalary
Memphis$45,947
Nashville$46,078
Knoxville$45,491
Chattanooga$44,702
Clarksville$45,035
Murfreesboro$45,731
Jackson$45,600
Johnson City$43,153
Kingsport$43,315
Franklin$45,917

Welding Schools by City