Welding schools in Sacramento include public college labs, a private diploma program and a pipe trades apprenticeship. Compare published costs, hands-on welding classes and the tests each route prepares you to take.
Public college tuitionLos Rios residents: $46 per unit, 2026-27
Next college termLos Rios Spring 2027 begins January 16
Welding certificationSierra awards qualification records after performance tests
Welding training options around Sacramento
Related welding process certificates are grouped into a track, while associate degrees and the diploma have separate rows. The check line under each school identifies its institutional accreditation or the provider's published apprenticeship registration.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". Specialty certificates cover pipe, plate, metallurgy, inspection and equipment maintenance. ARC also reports AWS QC4 test-facility accreditation. Checked October 27, 2026.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". Specialty certificates cover pipe, plate, metallurgy, inspection and equipment maintenance. ARC also reports AWS QC4 test-facility accreditation. Checked October 27, 2026.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". Courses cover fabrication, pipe, flux core, aluminum and stainless steel welding. Spring 2027 classes are listed. Checked October 27, 2026.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". Courses cover fabrication, pipe, flux core, aluminum and stainless steel welding. Spring 2027 classes are listed. Checked October 27, 2026.
School statement: "accredited by The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)". The campus teaches GMAW, GTAW, FCAW and SMAW. The catalog also identifies BPPE approval to operate, meaning compliance with state standards. Checked October 27, 2026.
Provider statement: "registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the Department of Labor". Welding certification training is part of the broader pipe trades route. Applicants find their first employer; exam appointment requests open November 15, 2026. Checked October 27, 2026.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". The current catalog groups gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc, shielded metal arc and fabrication certificates within this department. Checked October 27, 2026.
College statement: "accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)". The current catalog groups gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc, shielded metal arc and fabrication certificates within this department. Checked October 27, 2026.
Cosumnes River College teaches welding fabrication and industrial repair skills through its Automotive, Construction and Design Technology academic community.
Decide between a diploma, college certificate or degree, and a working apprenticeship. UTI lists a 36-week diploma; Sierra's catalog separates its degree, achievement certificate and focused skills certificates.
Review both lecture and lab meetings before choosing classes. American River's Spring 2027 welding schedule includes hybrid courses with required campus labs, including evening and Saturday meetings.
BLS reported 1,530 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers (SOC 51-4121) in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area in May 2025. Median wages were $27.55 per hour and $57,290 per year. These are the BLS OEWS metro estimates, covering the occupation across the metro rather than one school or employer.
The BLS survey guidance explains that median pay divides workers into two equal groups. The employment count measures jobs held, not vacancies. Use these figures to weigh tuition against your budget. When you discuss work with an employer, ask which welding process, position and qualification test the job requires, along with starting pay and shift hours.
Welding school costs and ways to pay
American River and Cosumnes River publish California resident enrollment at $46 per unit for 2026-27. Sierra also lists $46 per unit. Campus fees and required supplies are separate. UTI's Sacramento catalog lists $26,600 welding tuition and a $27,355 estimated total for enrollments on or after August 1, 2026.
Start with the school's financial aid office. American River explains FAFSA, grants and fee waivers; Pell eligibility depends on your program and circumstances. Ask Sacramento Works about WIOA eligibility through a local Job Center before paying. Eligible veterans can check VA-approved training. For an employer-based route, UA Local 447 explains its school charge, dues and requirement to find your first contractor job.
UTI's Sacramento catalog lists 36 weeks and 900 clock hours for its welding diploma. College routes depend on the certificate and course sequence: Sierra lists two semesters for several focused welder skills certificates. Ask for a term-by-term plan that includes prerequisites and the labs you can attend before choosing your completion date.
Does a welding certificate mean I passed an AWS test?
A school's completion award and a welding performance qualification serve different purposes. Sierra's current catalog says students who pass its performance tests receive industry-recognized Welder Qualification Test Records. American River reports AWS QC4 accreditation for its Certified Welder testing facility. Ask which process and standard your test covers, who records the result and whether testing costs extra.
Can I take welding classes after work?
The American River Spring 2027 schedule includes evening welding labs and Saturday instruction. Cosumnes River's schedule also includes evening sections. Check every linked lecture and lab before registering. A hybrid class can still require several hours on campus, and different welding processes may meet on different nights.
Do I need a diploma to start welding training?
Requirements depend on the route you choose. UTI publishes accepted education credentials in its admission requirements. UA Local 447 requires a high school diploma or GED and government photo ID for its entrance exam. If you are considering college classes, ask admissions about your eligibility and ask the welding department about course prerequisites.
Is there a Sacramento apprenticeship that includes welding?
UA Local 447 trains apprentices in the pipe trades and offers welding certification training to members. Its exam notice lists December 7-11, 2026 testing, with appointment requests opening November 15. Passing the exam is one step: the notice says you must find your first signatory employer yourself. This is a broader trade apprenticeship with welding instruction.