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Welding classes in Portland, Oregon

12 welding programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

5 schools offer these welding programs with classes in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area, and every one is approved for workforce funding: 8 by Washington and 4 by Oregon. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 7 of these 12 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

Welders join and cut metal parts with hand-held or remotely controlled equipment. Most have a high school diploma plus technical training, and some employers ask for a certification for particular jobs.1

In Portland, 2 of the 12 programs take students without a high school diploma, 3 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 7 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 12 programs here are single welding process (5 programs), general welding (4 programs), welding (associate degree, 2 programs) and welding and fabrication (1 program).

See the 12 programs

All 24 welding programs in Oregon, including online programs

How much do welding classes cost in Portland?

$2,538 to $8,217 is what most welding programs in Portland cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 12 programs with a price. All of them: $1,932 to $28,284

In the typical program

Finished the program
50%
Working 6 months later
67%
Earned a year, estimated
about $34,800
Length
22 to 48 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Portland may also offer welding classes. How these figures are made

Are there free welding classes in Portland?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 12 welding programs in Portland approved for WIOA funding

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12 programs

  • General weldingHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Welding

    Charter College / Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Charter College / Vancouver, VancouverGeneral welding · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,200
    Price if you pay yourself$28,284
    Program website, Welding at Charter College / Vancouver
    More details about Welding at Charter College / Vancouver
    Finished
    49%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,291
    Length
    40 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    206
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $28,284
    Program website, Welding at Charter College / Vancouver

  • Single welding processIn personPrerequisite courses

    Flux Core Arc Welding

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Clark College, VancouverSingle welding process · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,538
    Program website, Flux Core Arc Welding at Clark College
    More details about Flux Core Arc Welding at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    12 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,538
    Program website, Flux Core Arc Welding at Clark College

  • Single welding processIn personPrerequisite courses

    Gas Metal Arc Welding

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Clark College, VancouverSingle welding process · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,538
    Program website, Gas Metal Arc Welding at Clark College
    More details about Gas Metal Arc Welding at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    12 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,538
    Program website, Gas Metal Arc Welding at Clark College

  • Single welding processHybridPrerequisite courses

    Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Clark College, VancouverSingle welding process · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,538
    Program website, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding at Clark College
    More details about Gas Tungsten Arc Welding at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    22 weeks, 11 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,538
    Program website, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding at Clark College

  • Single welding processIn personPrerequisite courses

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Clark College, VancouverSingle welding process · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,538
    Program website, Shielded Metal Arc Welding at Clark College
    More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    22 weeks, 11 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,538
    Program website, Shielded Metal Arc Welding at Clark College

  • Single welding processIn personPrerequisite courses

    Welding Tech - SMAW Arc Welding/Oxyfuel Processes

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Clark College, VancouverSingle welding process · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$4,501
    Program website, Welding Tech - SMAW Arc Welding/Oxyfuel Processes at Clark College
    More details about Welding Tech - SMAW Arc Welding/Oxyfuel Processes at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    30 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,501
    Program website, Welding Tech - SMAW Arc Welding/Oxyfuel Processes at Clark College

  • General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Welding Technician

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Clark College, VancouverGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$7,432
    Program website, Welding Technician at Clark College
    More details about Welding Technician at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    55 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,432
    Program website, Welding Technician at Clark College

  • Welding (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Welding Technologies

    Clark College

    Vancouver

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Clark College, VancouverWelding (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,572
    Program website, Welding Technologies at Clark College
    More details about Welding Technologies at Clark College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,704
    Length
    60 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    34
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,572
    Program website, Welding Technologies at Clark College

  • Welding (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Welding Technology

    Clackamas Community College

    Oregon City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Clackamas Community College, Oregon CityWelding (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$37,300
    Price if you pay yourself$16,418
    Program website, Welding Technology at Clackamas Community College
    More details about Welding Technology at Clackamas Community College
    Finished
    21%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,324
    Length
    66 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,783
    Students counted
    29

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,418
    Program website, Welding Technology at Clackamas Community College

  • Welding and fabricationIn personNo diploma needed

    Metal Fabrication Customized

    Portland Community College

    Portland

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Portland Community College, PortlandWelding and fabrication · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,932
    Program website, Metal Fabrication Customized at Portland Community College
    More details about Metal Fabrication Customized at Portland Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,800
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,932
    Program website, Metal Fabrication Customized at Portland Community College

  • General weldingIn personEducation and courses

    Integrated Metals: Accelerated Welding Technology VESL

    Mt. Hood Community College

    Gresham

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Mt. Hood Community College, GreshamGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,583
    Program website, Integrated Metals: Accelerated Welding Technology VESL at Mt. Hood Community College
    More details about Integrated Metals: Accelerated Welding Technology VESL at Mt. Hood Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    23 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $350
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,583
    Program website, Integrated Metals: Accelerated Welding Technology VESL at Mt. Hood Community College

  • General weldingIn personEducation and courses

    Integrated Metals: Welding Technology

    Mt. Hood Community College

    Gresham

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Mt. Hood Community College, GreshamGeneral welding · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,242
    Program website, Integrated Metals: Welding Technology at Mt. Hood Community College
    More details about Integrated Metals: Welding Technology at Mt. Hood Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    34 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $425
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,242
    Program website, Integrated Metals: Welding Technology at Mt. Hood Community College

How to pay for welding classes in Portland

WIOA funding can pay for welding classes in Portland

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for welding classes

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for welding classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Portland

How welding classes compare with the rest of skilled trades across Oregon: Trade school programs in Oregon

Where the Portland welding program numbers come from

Which Portland welding programs are on this list?

These are the welding programs with classes in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Oregon page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of Portland welding programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about welding classes in Portland

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List