Welder-machine operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a welder-machine operator. Welder-machine operators usually study precision metal working, business, or general studies. 53% of welder-machine operators hold a high school diploma, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,699 real welder-machine operator resumes to see exactly what welder-machine operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for welder-machine operators are the Baker College and the Baker College.

There are also many online welder-machine operator courses to help get the education required to be a welder-machine operator.

There are certain welder-machine operator certifications that you should consider. These welder-machine operator certifications include Certified Welding Engineer and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

What education do you need to become a welder-machine operator?

What degree do you need to be a welder-machine operator?

The most common degree for welder-machine operators is high school diploma, with 53% of welder-machine operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 16%.

High School Diploma, 53%

Associate, 16%

Diploma, 16%

Bachelor's, 7%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a welder-machine operator?

You should major in precision metal working to become a welder-machine operator. 27% of welder-machine operators major in precision metal working. Other common majors for a welder-machine operator include business and general studies.

Precision Metal Working, 27%

Business, 14%

General Studies, 13%

Automotive Technology, 6%

Other Majors, 40%

Most common colleges for welder-machine operators

Welder-machine operators often get their degrees at Baker College, Central State University, and Henry Ford College. Here are the most common colleges for welder-machine operators in the US based on their resumes.

Welder-machine operator common college	Percentages
Baker College	11.29%
Central State University	9.68%
Henry Ford College	8.06%
Western Washington University	6.45%
Western Kentucky University	6.45%

Show more common welder-machine operator colleges

Best majors for welder-machine operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Precision Metal Working	27.4%
2	Business	14.3%
3	General Studies	13.3%
4	Automotive Technology	6.4%
5	Criminal Justice	5.2%

Show more common welder-machine operator majors

Best colleges for welder-machine operators

The best colleges for welder-machine operators are Rochester Institute of Technology, Liberty University, and SUNY College of Technology at Alfred.

A welder-machine operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for welder-machine operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become welder-machine operators.

1. Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$22,046

Enrollment

1,294

2. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Enrollment

12,886

3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

4. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Enrollment

3,142

5. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,000

Enrollment

25,973

6. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Enrollment

11,008

7. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

8. University of Alaska Southeast

Juneau, AK • Private

In-state tuition

$7,092

Enrollment

1,216

9. Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,729

Enrollment

6,722

10. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$22,584

Enrollment

45,370

20 best online courses for welder-machine operators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for welder-machine operators

The most affordable schools for welder-machine operators are Brigham Young University - Idaho, abraham baldwin agricultural college, and university of new mexico.

If the best universities for welder-machine operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for welder-machine operators.

1. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

2. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$3,503

Cost of attendance

12,843

3. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Cost of attendance

23,713

5. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Cost of attendance

37,423

6. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Cost of attendance

23,486

7. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$22,584

Cost of attendance

38,076

8. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Cost of attendance

22,715

9. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Cost of attendance

54,334

10. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Cost of attendance

17,330

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for welder-machine operators

The hardest universities for welder-machine operators to get into are Rochester Institute of Technology, Liberty University, and SUNY College of Technology at Alfred.

Some great schools for welder-machine operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for welder-machine operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

2. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,133

3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

5. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

6. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

9. Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,091

10. Utah State University

Logan, UT • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,201

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for welder-machine operators

The easiest schools for welder-machine operators to get into are Brigham Young University - Idaho, liberty university, and suny college of technology at delhi.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a welder-machine operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for welder-machine operators.

1. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

2. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,133

3. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

5. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

6. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

9. Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,022

10. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,032

Average welder-machine operator salary by education level

According to our data, welder-machine operators with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $39,585 annually. Welder-machine operators with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $38,079.

Welder-machine operator education level	Welder-machine operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$36,988
Bachelor's Degree	$39,585
Some College/ Associate Degree	$38,079

Welder-machine operator education FAQs

What is the best college for Welder-Machine Operators?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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