by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Welding Engineering Technology explores Welding Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To The Design And Engineering Of Welding And Joining Systems And The Implementation Of Welding Processes. Includes Instruction In Materials Science; Computer-Aided Design; Welding Design; Welding Processes; Welding Metallurgy; Automation And Robotics; And Codes, Inspections, Testing, And Quality Assurance. Read on to learn the important information every welding engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering welding engineering technology programs.
Nationwide, welding engineering technology draws strong interest, with 609 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Welding Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 30 schools to determine the best overall colleges for welding engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of welding engineering technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Welding Engineering Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations welding engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a welding engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a welding engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several welding engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 46 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 70 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 62 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 198 |
People currently working in careers related to welding engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 49.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.9% |
| Master’s degree | 1.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in welding engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying welding engineering technology can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to welding engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to welding engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 221,841 | -4.1% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of welding engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,570 |
| 4 years | $66,536 |
| 5 years | $74,003 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for welding engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers welding engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,230 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 30 different welding engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased welding engineering technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in welding engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
