Ohio's Welding Technology pathway prepares students for high-demand careers in welding and metal fabrication. The program covers multiple welding processes including SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding, along with cutting techniques, blueprint reading, and metallurgy.
Students develop skills in various welding positions and with different materials, from mild steel to aluminum and stainless steel. Training emphasizes weld quality, inspection procedures, and adherence to American Welding Society (AWS) codes. Many Ohio programs partner with manufacturers and fabrication shops to provide students with experience on industrial projects.
Ohio's strong manufacturing base creates exceptional demand for skilled welders across industries from automotive to aerospace to construction. Welding offers immediate employment opportunities with competitive wages and clear pathways for advancement through additional certifications and specializations.
Welding Technology at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Ohio's Welding Technology pathway follows the state's Career-Technical Competency Analysis Profiles aligned with American Welding Society (AWS) standards. Programs prepare students for AWS SENSE Level I and Level II certifications in multiple welding processes. The curriculum covers metallurgy, blueprint reading, welding symbols, inspection procedures, and safety practices essential for certified welders.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Welding Fundamentals | WLD001 |
| SMAW and GMAW Processes | WLD002 |
| GTAW and Advanced Processes | WLD003 |
| Fabrication and Certification | WLD004 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Certified Welder
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,490 - $57,790
Adjusted for cost of living: $49,548
Pipe Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,490 - $57,790
Adjusted for cost of living: $53,818
Welding Inspector
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,490 - $57,790
Adjusted for cost of living: $53,818
Fabrication Supervisor
ExperiencedAdjusted for cost of living: $74,502
Welding Engineer
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,490 - $57,790
Adjusted for cost of living: $53,818
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Registered apprenticeships with fabrication shops and manufacturers. Summer employment with construction companies and metalworking businesses. Cooperative education combining school and paid work experience. Projects for Ohio manufacturers and local businesses. Youth apprenticeship programs in welding trades.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Ohio CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Ohio Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Ohio's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Ohio standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Ohio
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentReady to Build Welding Technology Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Welding Technology in Ohio.