Iowa has many really good welding schools but only you can know which one is the best for your needs. You need to search welding technician programs and see which one matches what you expect from your career.
A community college may be what you need or on another hand, you might benefit the most from a purely hands-on welding school.
This depends largely on how you envision your welding career. A good theoretical background is important, but if you see yourself welding pipe or doing structural, you will benefit the most from the school that prioritizes time under the hood and teaches its students welding techniques.
A quality welding school in Iowa should have a program that you are interested in (a combination of courses like shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, pipe welding, safety courses, blueprint reading, mathematics, etc), it should have a low student to teacher ratio, be affordable and offer financial aid if you need, provides enough welding training for your needs and be near you like an area community college.
Average Salary of Certified Welders in Iowa
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the year 2020 welders in Iowa earned a mean salary of $41,770.
The highest paying cities in Iowa for welders are Pella with $24,39 per hour, Cedar Rapids with $20,29 per hour and Waterloo with $20,09 per hour. And some of the highest paying companies that employ welders are Bechtel, Toyota, Faurecia, McDermott and XL Specialized Trailers according to indeed.com.
These are fairly decent bucks for a welder, but you are not constrained by your state. There are US states that offer significantly higher salaries to certified welders.
Welding is a very lucrative career. By getting your certification and completing a welding program you will be ready to work not just in Iowa but everywhere.
Use coupon code 10% Off: "TENOFF"List of Welding Schools in Iowa
The list below is ordered alphabetically. Try to find a school near your zip code but don’t be afraid to try a school that may be a bit further. When picking a school, the most important thing is finding a match with the welding program they offer and what you wish to learn.
Clinton Community College
- Address: 1000 Lincoln Blvd, Clinton, IA 52732
- Phone number: 800-637-0559
- Email: hevans@eicc.edu
- Website: https://eicc.edu/future-students/our-programs/welding/
- Credentials Offered: Certification, Associate Degree
Des Moines Area Community College
- Des Moines Campus: 1111 E Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Carroll Campus: 906 N Grant Road, Carroll, IA 51401
- Ankeny Campus: 2006 S Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny, IA 50023
- Newton Campus: 600 N 2nd Ave West, Newton, IA 50208
- Perry Campus: 1011 2nd Street, Perry, IA 50220
- Phone number: 800-362-2127
- Email: info-center@dmacc.edu
- Website: https://www.dmacc.edu
- Credentials: Certification
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Address: 101 West Third St, Davenport, IA 52801
- Phone number: 888-336-3907
- Email: hevans@eicc.edu
- Website: https://www.eicc.edu
- Credentials: Certification, Associate Degree
Hawkeye Community College
- Address: 1501 East Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50704 United States
- Phone number: 319-296-2320
- Email: admission@hawkeyecollege.edu
- Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification, Associate Degree, SENSE School Level 1
Iowa Lakes Community College
- Address: 3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg, IA 50536
- Phone number: 800-521-5054
- Email: info@iowalakes.edu
- Website: https://www.iowalakes.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification, Associate Degree, AWS Accredited Test Facility
Iowa Central Community College
- Address: One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
- Phone number: 800-362-2793
- Email: Craven@iowacentral.edu
- Website: http://www.iowacentral.com
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Iowa Western Community College
- Address: 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Phone number: 800-432-5852
- Email: admissions@iwcc.edu
- Website url: https://www.iwcc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Indian Hills Community College
- Address: 525 Grandview Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Phone no.: 800-726-2585
- Contact Email: Helpdesk.Email@indianhills.edu
- Website: https://www.indianhills.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Kirkwood Community College
- Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Phone number: 319-398-5411
- Website address: https://www.kirkwood.edu
- Credentials: Certification, Associate Degree, AWS Accredited Test Facility
Marshalltown Community College
- Address: 3700 S Center St, Marshalltown, IA 50158
- Phone number: 866-622-4748
- Contact Email: mccinfo@iavalley.edu
- Website URL: https://mcc.iavalley.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Muscatine Community College
- Address: 152 Colorado St, Muscatine, IA 52761
- Phone number: 888-336-3907
- Website: https://www.eicc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification, Associate Degree
Northeast Iowa Community College
- Address: 8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068
- Phone number: 844-642-2338
- Website: https://www.nicc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Northwest Iowa Community College
- Location: 603 West Park St, Sheldon, IA 51201
- Phone no. : 800-352-4907
- Email: amyb@nwicc.edu
- Website: https://www.nwicc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
North Iowa Area Community College
- Address: 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
- Phone number: 641-423-1264
- Email: Angie.Marzen@niacc.edu
- Website: https://www.niacc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Southeastern Community College
- Location: 1500 West Agency Rd, West Burlington, IA 52655
- Training Center Location: 335 Messenger Road, Keokuk, IA 52632
- Phone no. : (319) 208-5000
- Email: enroll@scciowa.edu
- Website URL: https://www.scciowa.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Southwestern Community College (IA)
- Address: 1501 West Townline Street, Creston, IA 50801
- Phone number: 800-247-4023
- Email: peterson@swcciowa.edu
- Website: https://www.swcciowa.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification
Scott Community College
- Address: 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722
- Phone number: 888-336-3907
- Website: https://www.eicc.edu
- Credentials Offered: Certification, Associate Degree
Waverly-Shell Rock High School
- Address: 1405 4th Ave. SW Waverly, IA 50677 United States
- Phone number: 319-352-2087
- Website: https://www.wsr.k12.ia.us/
Conclusion
Welding technician programs get a lot of attention lately thanks to the high demand for qualified welders and the upcoming shortage of welder workforce. If you are interested in becoming a welder then at least you could do is check out the local Iowa welding community college district to see if they offer some welding courses. Some people fall in love with welding the first time they try it while others see that it is not for them.
You should however thoroughly research the school where you decide to study. If you do decide to pursue a welding career then making a proper school choice will improve your chances of success significantly.
All welding schools will give you their information. Contact their representatives to get information on welding program they offer in order to start your research.
