Welding Careers in Oklahoma City OK Schools and Job Market 2025

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Kickstart Your Welding Career in Oklahoma City: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals

If you're looking to build a successful career in welding in Oklahoma City, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate the industry's requirements, training options, and career prospects. With the average hourly pay for welders reaching $28.23, and rig welders earning up to $43.01 per hour, Oklahoma City, OK, has emerged as a hub for welding opportunities. Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for more national data ¹², and explore Francis Tuttle Technology Center for local programs.

Understand the Role of a Welder

Before diving into the career path, it's essential to understand what being a welder entails. Welders are highly skilled professionals who cut, join, and fabricate metal structures using various techniques such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding ³. Their work is critical in industries ranging from oil and gas production, construction, and manufacturing to transportation infrastructure and pipeline installation.

Learn more about career paths at Tulsa Welding School. Welders must possess strong mechanical aptitude, excellent hand-eye coordination, physical stamina, and attention to detail. They work with intense heat and high-powered tools, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols to avoid hazards like burns, fumes exposure, and eye damage while using equipment like plasma torches, acetylene torches, and arc welders.

Do You Need a License to Work as a Welder in Oklahoma City?

Yes, to work as a qualified certified welder in Oklahoma City, you must obtain industry-recognized certifications by passing specific welding tests per American Welding Society (AWS) standards ⁴. While Oklahoma does not issue a general state license, welders who work on public projects or in specialized fields like pipeline welding must be certified by the Oklahoma Department of Labor ². Check Metro Technology Centers for program details.

To become certified, you must:

1. Pass a practical weld test demonstrating proficiency in one or more welding processes (SMAW, MIG, TIG, etc.)
2. Submit your completed application, test results, and government-issued ID to the Oklahoma Department of Labor with a nominal application fee of $25
3. Maintain specialized certifications for roles like field welder and pipe welder, which may require additional testing or annual verification ⁵².

Oklahoma City Welding Training Programs

Oklahoma City offers several reputable welding training programs that prepare you for certification exams and industry employment:

1. Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Offers a Welding I program including 125 hours of Welding Core, 45 hours of Workforce Staging, 70 hours of Metal Cutting, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) instruction ⁶³. Access more info at Francis Tuttle Technology Center.
2. Moore Norman Technology Center - Provides comprehensive training covering metal properties, arc welding, pipe welding, and cutting techniques ⁵.
3. Metro Technology Centers (Metro Tech) - Focuses on welding skills for construction and manufacturing industries ⁷.
4. Tulsa Welding School - While located in Tulsa, this institution accepts Oklahoma residents with flexible scheduling options (morning, afternoon, evening, weekend). The curriculum covers SMAW, MIG, TIG, Flux-Cored Arc Welding, structural welding, and pipeline welding ⁸.

For more options, see Gild. These programs typically last between 6 months and 2 years, providing both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience ⁹.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Welder in Oklahoma City

Follow these key steps to launch your career:

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Be physically fit to handle the demands of welding

Step 2: Complete a Welding Training Program

• Enroll at institutions like Francis Tuttle, Moore Norman, or Tulsa Welding School for comprehensive skill development [1-5]. Start your enrollment process through their site: Tulsa Welding School.
• Training includes learning arc welding, metal cutting, pipe welding, and preparation for industry certification tests ³.

Step 3: Obtain Industry Certifications

• AWS QC7 certification is a baseline requirement for most employers and involves passing weld tests in various positions ⁴. Visit the American Welding Society for resources.
• Apply for your Oklahoma welder license after testing at the Oklahoma Department of Labor with a $25 fee ².

Step 4: Specialize for Career Advancement

• Pursue specialized certifications like pipe welder certification (2-G, 5-G, or 6-G positions) for higher paying opportunities. More details at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for in-depth career insights.
• Consider certifications from organizations like the National Board, ASME, or other industry-specific credentialing bodies ².

Welding Job Market & Career Opportunities in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City's welding job market has evolved significantly in 2025, driven by the booming oil and gas sector, which accounts for 16.8% of all jobs in the state ⁹. According to recent labor data, the average hourly salary ranges from $19.74 (Indeed) to $28.23 (ZipRecruiter), with some high-demand specialties reaching $43.06 per hour ¹².

While national projections suggest slower growth of about 2% from 2023 to 2033, Oklahoma may experience substantially higher growth, with some sources suggesting potential growth as high as 26% ⁴⁹. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 45,800 annual job openings nationwide. Explore job listings at Gild ⁴.

Technology Impacting the Welding Trade

By 2025, technological advancements are reshaping the welding profession. Aspiring welders should be prepared to work with:

• Smart welders equipped with AI assistance enabling adaptive controls and automatic adjustments based on material type, thickness, and position ⁹. For more on innovations, check Home of Welding.
• Laser beam welding for enhanced precision and efficiency in industrial applications
• Lightweight and portable welding systems such as the Miller Multimatic 235 and ESAB Rebel EMP 215ic that are ideal for fieldwork or small shops ⁹
• Next-generation auto-darkening welding helmets like the Lincoln Viking 3350 that improve visibility and reduce eye strain during extended projects ⁹

Staying current with these technologies can dramatically increase your marketability and earning potential as a welder.

Challenges Facing Oklahoma City Welders

Despite strong demand, the welding industry in Oklahoma City faces several challenges:

• Safety concerns: Burn hazards, exposure to harmful fumes, and eye damage remain workplace risks, making proper training and protective equipment essential ²
• Workforce diversity and labor shortage: The American Welding Society projects a national shortage of 450,000 skilled welders by 2024, impacting local employers’ ability to fill positions ⁴. Learn about overcoming these at Tulsa Welding School.
• Technological adaptation: As equipment evolves, continuing education in robotics, CAD design, and other digital systems becomes increasingly important for career longevity and advancement ⁹

Your Next Steps for Starting Your Welding Career

Starting a career as a professional welder in Oklahoma City, OK, provides an excellent opportunity to enter a growing, high-demand trade with solid earning potential. You can begin your journey by:

1. Enrolling in a welding training program at Francis Tuttle, Moore Norman, or Tulsa Welding School to gain foundational skills and prepare for certification. Sign up via Francis Tuttle Technology Center[1-5].
2. Taking weld certification exams based on AWS QC7 standards.
3. Building specialized expertise in high-demand areas like pipeline welding or rig welding.
4. Searching for welding job opportunities on Gild’s platform, which features openings in Oklahoma City from various industries⁴.
5. Networking with local industry professionals to learn about apprenticeship or advancement opportunities.

Whether you're considering a career change or starting your professional journey, a career in welding in Oklahoma City, OK, offers a strong foundation and promising pathway forward. With wages outpacing many other manual labor trades and the industry projected to grow steadily through 2025 and beyond, now is an excellent time to enter this vital profession.

If you're ready to start your welding career in Oklahoma City, check out Gild for current welding job opportunities in the area. With training programs available that can launch your career in as little as six months, there's never been a better time to pursue this essential trade.

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