Welding classes in Virginia Beach

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

7 schools offer these welding programs with classes in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

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 Virginia Beach, 23 of the 29 programs take students without a high school diploma.

See the 29 programs

All 88 welding programs in Virginia, including online programs

How much do welding classes cost in Virginia Beach?

$2,300 to $3,900

is what most programs cost if you pay yourself

All 29 programs with a price: $2,290 to $29,397

Finished the program: 91%
Working 6 months later: 74%
Earned a year, estimated: about $30,700
Length: 4 to 18 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). How these figures are made

Are there free welding classes in Virginia Beach?

Yes, if you qualify. Workforce funding can pay for any program on this page.²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most welding programs in Virginia Beach cost $2,300 to $3,900.

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

All 29 welding programs in Virginia Beach approved for funding

29 programs

General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Combination Welding
Tidewater Tech, Norfolk
High school diploma or equivalent
Tidewater Tech, Norfolk · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$19,495
More details about Combination Welding at Tidewater Tech
Finished
31%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
33 weeks, 24 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
291
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$19,495
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$36,200
Price if you pay yourself$5,850
More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at Tidewater Community College
Finished
90%
Working at 6 months
80%
Earned in a quarter
$9,061
Length
5 weeks, 24 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
254
a year, estimated
$36,200
price
$5,850
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
WeldNow (SMAW)
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$25,500
Price if you pay yourself$6,500
More details about WeldNow (SMAW) at Tidewater Community College
Finished
89%
Working at 6 months
50%
Earned in a quarter
$6,376
Length
7 weeks, 35 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
243
a year, estimated
$25,500
price
$6,500
General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Maritime Welding Technology
Advanced Technology Institute, Virginia Beach
High school diploma or equivalent
Advanced Technology Institute, Virginia Beach · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$27,746
More details about Maritime Welding Technology at Advanced Technology Institute
Finished
60%
Working at 6 months
40%
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
60 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$1,980
Students counted
231
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$27,746
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
No diploma needed
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$43,900
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
96%
Working at 6 months
69%
Earned in a quarter
$10,981
Length
6 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
204
a year, estimated
$43,900
price
$3,900
General weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Marine Welding Level 1
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · General welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$29,400
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
More details about Marine Welding Level 1 at Tidewater Community College
Finished
82%
Working at 6 months
85%
Earned in a quarter
$7,339
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
150
a year, estimated
$29,400
price
$3,900
General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Marine Welding Level 1
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
High school diploma or equivalent
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$41,900
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Marine Welding Level 1 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Marine Welding Level 1 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
97%
Working at 6 months
70%
Earned in a quarter
$10,466
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
138
a year, estimated
$41,900
price
$3,900
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
No diploma needed
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$25,700
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
90%
Working at 6 months
66%
Earned in a quarter
$6,437
Length
6 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
109
a year, estimated
$25,700
price
$3,900
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
No diploma needed
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$42,000
Price if you pay yourself$2,547
School website, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
91%
Working at 6 months
74%
Earned in a quarter
$10,512
Length
4 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
97
a year, estimated
$42,000
price
$2,547
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$23,400
Price if you pay yourself$4,131
More details about Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Tidewater Community College
Finished
99%
Working at 6 months
62%
Earned in a quarter
$5,847
Length
8 weeks, 18 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
92
a year, estimated
$23,400
price
$4,131
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
No diploma needed
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$27,600
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
99%
Working at 6 months
76%
Earned in a quarter
$6,902
Length
6 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
89
a year, estimated
$27,600
price
$3,900
General weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Entry-Level Welder Course
QED Systems, Inc. Center for Training and Development, Norfolk
No diploma needed
QED Systems, Inc. Center for Training and Development, Norfolk · General welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$7,500
More details about Entry-Level Welder Course at QED Systems, Inc. Center for Training and Development
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
18 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$500
Students counted
78
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$7,500
General weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Marine Welding Level 2
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · General welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$30,300
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
More details about Marine Welding Level 2 at Tidewater Community College
Finished
81%
Working at 6 months
82%
Earned in a quarter
$7,565
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
39
a year, estimated
$30,300
price
$3,900
General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Combination Maritime Welding
Tidewater Tech, Norfolk
High school diploma or equivalent
Tidewater Tech, Norfolk · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$29,397
More details about Combination Maritime Welding at Tidewater Tech
Finished
50%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
48 weeks, 24 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
38
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$29,397
General weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Marine Welding Level 3
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk · General welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$31,200
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
More details about Marine Welding Level 3 at Tidewater Community College
Finished
84%
Working at 6 months
79%
Earned in a quarter
$7,800
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
28
a year, estimated
$31,200
price
$3,900
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Welding Flux Core I and II
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton
No diploma needed
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$90,000
Price if you pay yourself$2,290
More details about Welding Flux Core I and II at New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$22,500
Length
24 weeks, 6 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
17
a year, estimated
$90,000
price
$2,290
General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Marine Welding Level 2
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
High school diploma or equivalent
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$24,800
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Marine Welding Level 2 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Marine Welding Level 2 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
93%
Working at 6 months
57%
Earned in a quarter
$6,211
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
14
a year, estimated
$24,800
price
$3,900
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton
No diploma needed
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$60,300
Price if you pay yourself$2,290
More details about Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$15,080
Length
24 weeks, 6 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
13
a year, estimated
$60,300
price
$2,290
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Welding - Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW (MIG)
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton
No diploma needed
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,290
More details about Welding - Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW (MIG) at New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
24 weeks, 6 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,290
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Welding - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding GTAW (TIG)
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton
No diploma needed
New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,290
More details about Welding - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding GTAW (TIG) at New Horizons Regional Education Centers LWDA #14 - WIOA
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
24 weeks, 6 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,290
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
5 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
4 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
4 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Pipe weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) - Pipe
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Pipe welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) - Pipe at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
4 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) I
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) I at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
5 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Single welding processIn personNo diploma needed
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) II
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Single welding process · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) II at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
6 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
Pipe weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe
Hampton University, Hampton
No diploma needed
Hampton University, Hampton · Pipe welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,300
More details about Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe at Hampton University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
5 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,300
General weldingIn personNo diploma needed
Certified Welder
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
No diploma needed
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · General welding · In person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Certified Welder at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Certified Welder at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
4 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$3,900
General weldingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Marine Welding Level 3
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton
High school diploma or equivalent
Virginia Peninsula Community College, Hampton · General welding · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
School website, Marine Welding Level 3 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
More details about Marine Welding Level 3 at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
3 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$3,900

How to pay for welding classes in Virginia Beach

Workforce funding can pay for welding classes in Virginia Beach

Every program on this page is approved for public workforce funding, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.²People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.³

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).⁴

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.⁵⁶

GI Bill for welding classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁷

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

Where the Virginia Beach welding program numbers come from

Which Virginia Beach welding programs are on this list?

These are the welding programs with classes in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk area that are approved for public workforce funding (the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). The list covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Virginia page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How Virginia Beach welding program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some welding programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Sources for the facts about welding classes in Virginia Beach

Show the 7 sourcesHide the sources

Welding classes in Virginia Beach

How much do welding classes cost in Virginia Beach?

Are there free welding classes in Virginia Beach?

All 29 welding programs in Virginia Beach approved for funding

Combination Welding

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

WeldNow (SMAW)

Maritime Welding Technology

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Marine Welding Level 1

Marine Welding Level 1

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Entry-Level Welder Course

Marine Welding Level 2

Combination Maritime Welding

Marine Welding Level 3

Welding Flux Core I and II

Marine Welding Level 2

Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Welding - Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW (MIG)

Welding - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding GTAW (TIG)

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) - Pipe

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) I

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) II

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe

Certified Welder

Marine Welding Level 3

How to pay for welding classes in Virginia Beach

Workforce funding can pay for welding classes in Virginia Beach

Ask at an American Job Center

Financial aid and grants for welding classes

GI Bill for welding classes

Where the Virginia Beach welding program numbers come from

Which Virginia Beach welding programs are on this list?

How Virginia Beach welding program prices are reported

What the graduate results of these programs measure

Why do some welding programs say "Not reported"?

Why the kind of school is left off each program

Sources for the facts about welding classes in Virginia Beach