--- title: "Pipe Welding School in Gillette, Wyoming | Western Welding Academy" url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/" --- ![](/_astro/hero-1080.ZMDP1YYL_caYQb.webp) Gillette, Wyoming · Pipe & structural welding # Only the best welders train here. Do you have what it takes? [Apply now](/apply) [Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)[Compare programs](#programs) [Scroll](#stats) Pause video - 2,000+ graduates - 94%\* hired within 90 days - 85% of class time in the booth - 50 students from all 50 states \* Hired within 90 days: survey of 234 alumni, Nov 2024. Pipe welding school · Gillette, WY ## Welcome to Western Welding Academy Western Welding Academy is a pipe welding school in Gillette, Wyoming, operated by Pipe Arc Solutions, LLC. It offers 4 on-site programs lasting 12 to 24 weeks: Foundational Pipe Welder, Professional Pipe Welder, Expert Pipe Welder, Advanced Structural Welding. All-inclusive prices, covering tuition, tools and housing, range from $17,050 to $35,800. 85% of class time in the booth. You learn on real pipe and plate from instructors who bring 330 years of combined instructor experience to the shop floor, in an AWS Accredited Test Facility. [Compare programs](/courses) [Who we are](/who-we-are) ![Row of blue welding booths at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-row-blue.Duch9v_-_ZcpInk.jpg) ![Welder in a WWA hood running a pass on pipe](/_astro/welder-pipe-closeup.DMwq_M9I_ZtQh2N.jpg) ![Student grinding a pipe joint in the shop](/_astro/student-grinding-pipe-2.DBkdlf6u_21hxhQ.jpg) ![Student welding inside the pipeline simulator](/_astro/pipe-simulator.B6gHFwrN_1cyzEg.jpg) Est. 2019 Gillette, Wyoming - AWS Accredited Test Facility★ - 330 years of combined instructor experience★ - students from all 50 states★ - 85% of class time in the booth★ - AWS Accredited Test Facility★ - 330 years of combined instructor experience★ - students from all 50 states★ - 85% of class time in the booth★ Programs ## Choose your path. Forge your future. 4 on-site programs, 12 to 24 weeks. Every price is all-inclusive: tuition, tools and gear, and housing. [Compare all programs](/courses) ![](/_astro/student-grinding-pipe-sparks.WueaC1Bp_Z1edkAt.jpg) 12 weeks 01 ### [Foundational Pipe Welder](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) Start from zero. Build the fundamentals. All-inclusive price $17,050 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-booth-arc-portrait.Cnb0CMLZ_Z6TOFS.jpg) 19 weeks 02 ### [Professional Pipe Welder](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) Go deeper on pipe. Build real hood time. All-inclusive price $27,600 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-pipe-closeup.DMwq_M9I_Zqi7M6.jpg) 24 weeks 03 ### [Expert Pipe Welder](/courses/expert-pipe-welder) Every process, every position. The full path. All-inclusive price $35,800 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-sparks-dark.B080xSG4_ZFNNLi.jpg) 12 weeks 04 ### [Advanced Structural Welding](/courses/advanced-structural-welding) Structural steel for the building trades. All-inclusive price $25,800 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program A $350 booth hold payment reserves your start date. It is not included in the program price. [Booth hold](/booth-hold) ![](/_astro/welder-sparks-dark.B080xSG4_1RAOdF.jpg) Why WWA ## Built for the job site. - ### Train like you’re already on the job 85% of class time in the booth, running real pipe and plate under real tests. - ### Built by welders, for welders Learn from pros who have done the work: 330 years of combined instructor experience. - ### No experience needed. Just work ethic. Start from zero or sharpen what you already know. Show up, put in the hood time. - ### All-inclusive One program price covers tuition, tools and gear, and housing. No surprise line items. ![Inside a welding booth at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-interior.Dsb3MRdE_22q4fl.jpg) Where you'll spend your days 85% of class time in the booth. Who we are ## See the shop. Walk the booths, meet the crew and hear from students, straight from the WWA YouTube channel. [All videos](/videos) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1XMlhDKrTtc/maxresdefault.jpg)FeaturedWHO WE ARE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XMlhDKrTtc) ![](/_astro/broll-welding.DZNg4uvK_1CgBn6.jpg) Live from the booth Real arcs. Real pipe. Every day. - [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z711L2H_o6c/maxresdefault.jpg)School Tour](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z711L2H_o6c) - [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G1YVNw2gXUc/maxresdefault.jpg)Inside look Into Western Welding Academy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1YVNw2gXUc) - [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YC0jltlbawU/maxresdefault.jpg)Why did these students choose Western Welding Academy? 🤔](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC0jltlbawU) The facility ## Inside the shop [Full gallery](/gallery) - ![Row of blue welding booths at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-row-blue.Duch9v_-_ZDq9As.jpg) The blue booth row01/09 - ![Student welding inside the pipeline simulator](/_astro/pipe-simulator.B6gHFwrN_Z1gPV8P.jpg) Pipeline simulator02/09 - ![The Western Welding Academy shop floor](/_astro/shop-floor.wgnyxicW_2BbBV.jpg) The shop floor03/09 - ![Inside a welding booth at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-interior.Dsb3MRdE_ZpdhpK.jpg) Inside a booth04/09 - ![Welding machines on carts in the WWA shop](/_astro/welding-machines.CEeM5zrN_ZKd57D.jpg) Machines ready to run05/09 - ![Pipe yard outside the Western Welding Academy shop](/_astro/pipe-yard.D_zPIOUF_Z1ljnbk.jpg) The pipe yard06/09 - ![Western Welding Academy classroom](/_astro/classroom.DRhCgMZU_2h76CB.jpg) The classroom07/09 - ![The WWA shop with an American flag on the wall](/_astro/shop-flag.yY9skQQs_Z1mpNVl.jpg) Under the flag08/09 - ![Aerial view of the Western Welding Academy campus in Gillette, Wyoming](/_astro/campus-aerial.ByWLOZFX_19C9LG.jpg) Campus from above09/09 Graduates ## Stories from our graduates Real students, real certificates. Hear it from the welders who trained here. - ![Gavin Walden, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/gavin-walden.8QR0y6nC_Zatqr.jpg) Gavin Walden Certified WWA graduate - ![David Smolek, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/david-smolek.LAwQwuJq_Z2rHCaA.jpg) David Smolek Certified WWA graduate - ![Leyton Wagner, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/leyton-wagner.B-AbFqsi_ZMm09U.jpg) Leyton Wagner Certified WWA graduate - > “They taught and helped me figure out absolutely everything.” ![](/_astro/gray-horton.Cy206E_m_FHSgq.jpg)Gray HortonAlpharetta, GA · Feb 2023 - > “I would go back and do it again and again if I could” ![](/_astro/alex-oliver.Rp761TBR_1FQJp7.jpg)Alex OliverGrand Forks, ND · Mar 2023 - > “I enjoyed it with promising opportunities ahead.” ![](/_astro/aidan-bratlie.C9l5pRWK_1PJEEg.jpg)Aidan BratlieShreveport, LA · Nov 2022 - > “I had an amazing time and learned so much from the instructors.” ![](/_astro/stone-ebner.DqlbJL2a_ZE1kF2.jpg)Stone EbnerNorwalk, OH · Jun 2023 [More graduate stories](/testimonials) How to enroll ## Your path forward. One step at a time. Swipe 1. 1 Step 1 ### Submit application Apply online in a few minutes. No experience needed. 2. 2 Step 2 ### Admission decision Our admissions team reviews every application and calls you to talk it through. 3. 3 Step 3 ### Secure your spot Reserve your booth and start date with a $350 booth hold payment. 4. 4 Step 4 ### Prepare for school Review and sign your enrollment documents and plan your move to Gillette. 5. 5 Step 5 ### Finalize enrollment Settle tuition and financing, then show up ready to weld. 6. ![](/_astro/students-walking-2.CUk8uJau_BRgnP.jpg) Your future starts here [Apply now](/apply)[Booth hold](/booth-hold) ![Blue student housing home in Gillette](/_astro/exterior-blue.Byw2tku4_ZoU39g.jpg) ![Student housing kitchen and dining area](/_astro/kitchen-3.CYhUUW8z_Z25iFlK.jpg) ![Student housing living area](/_astro/living-1.DBZBf0--_24Rne.jpg) ![Furnished student housing bedroom](/_astro/bedroom.CgWoq-O5_1AR5zl.jpg) ![Student housing kitchen](/_astro/kitchen-4.BRpcWKUf_1z131q.jpg) Student housing ## A home away from home Students live at Western Lodging in Gillette. Show up, drop your bags and get to work. - Included in every program priceHousing is part of the all-inclusive price, alongside tuition and tools and gear. - Move-in readyFully furnished homes with the essentials provided. - Wi-Fi and utilities includedNo extra bills to set up when you arrive. - Parking availableA parking spot for each student. - Roommate requestsComing with a friend? Let us know and we will do our best. Housing deposit: **$500**, not included in the program price. [Explore student housing](/housing) [Housing: (307) 224-9327](tel:3072249327) ![](/_astro/bct-2026-tour.D_8cs1ZB_ZdVxow.jpg) ![Blue Collar Revolution](/_astro/blue-collar-revolution-logo.DWALPMY7_1GvFlb.webp) On the road ## The Blue Collar Tour We bring the booth to high school gyms. Students strike an arc, meet working welders and see what a trade career looks like up close. [Blue Collar Tour 2027](/events/blue-collar-tour-2027) [What is the tour?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPrgBl2Ra0s) [ ![The WWA welding competition arch](/_astro/weld-comp-arch.DsOJ8uGb_RlBMW.jpg) Annual event · Gillette WWA Welding Competition Event details ](/events/2026-wwa-welding-competition) The crew ## Meet your instructors 330 years of combined instructor experience, in the booth with you every day. [About WWA](/about-us) - [ ![Chris Fink, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/chris-fink.7OkS6FiA_ZgTxy.jpg) Chris Fink Instructor → ](/instructors/chris-fink) - [ ![David Zajac, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/david-zajac.CNHC3Vr8_2togq4.jpg) David Zajac Instructor → ](/instructors/david-zajac) - [ ![Glenn Ogden, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/glenn-ogden.DAI9l-4D_ZSE73k.jpg) Glenn Ogden Instructor → ](/instructors/glenn-ogden) - [ ![James Packard, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/james-packard.CP2pbMeq_H23C5.jpg) James Packard Instructor → ](/instructors/james-packard) - [ ![Joe Stockdale, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/joe-stockdale.B7vK3OqV_Z179ySN.jpg) Joe Stockdale Instructor → ](/instructors/joe-stockdale) - [ ![John Parks, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/john-parks.De8g8mLc_Z2e3VCl.jpg) John Parks Instructor → ](/instructors/john-parks) - [ ![Lance Whisenant, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/lance-whisenant.9OJfKHRC_1Uy6nN.jpg) Lance Whisenant Instructor → ](/instructors/lance-whisenant) - [ ![Matt Hahn, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/matt-hahn.BKIa_G_t_ZH4bRB.jpg) Matt Hahn Instructor → ](/instructors/matthew-hahn) - [ ![Nate Farnsworth, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/nate-farnsworth.BinIlJE-_Z7Neb8.jpg) Nate Farnsworth Instructor → ](/instructors/nate-farnsworth) FAQ ## Questions? Answered. Still wondering about something? Call admissions at [(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313), Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm MT. [All FAQs](/faq) Are there any welding schools that offer all-inclusive tuition with housing? Yes. Western Welding Academy in Wyoming offers completely all-inclusive tuition that covers housing, certification testing fees, and all equipment. Students live on-campus in furnished housing and focus entirely on training without worrying about additional costs. This model eliminates the hidden expenses that surprise students at other programs. Do I need prior experience to enroll in a professional welding school? No prior welding experience is required at Western Welding Academy. Programs like the Expert Pipe Welder (24 weeks) and Foundational Pipe Welder (12 weeks) are designed to take complete beginners and transform them into certified pipe welders. The curriculum starts with fundamentals and progressively builds to advanced 6G pipe welding. How does Western Welding Academy compare to other welding schools? Western Welding Academy is the only welding school to win the 2025 AWS #1 Training Facility award. Key differences: WWA focuses exclusively on pipe and structural welding, offers all-inclusive tuition with housing, has 94% hired within 90 days, 2,000+ graduates from all 50 states, 85% hands-on training in the booth, and is owned and operated by actual pipeline welders with 330+ combined years of experience. How much does a welding certification program typically cost? Welding certification programs range from $5,000 for basic community college courses to $20,000+ for comprehensive trade school programs. Western Welding Academy offers all-inclusive programs starting at $17,050 for the 12-week Foundational Pipe Welder up to $35,800 for the 24-week Expert Pipe Welder, with tuition covering housing, certifications, and equipment. What should you look for in a pipeline welding school in the US? Look for a school that trains on pipe in the positions pipeline employers test (such as 6G), prepares you for pipeline and pressure-piping qualifications like API 1104 and ASME Section IX, and publishes how its outcomes are measured. Western Welding Academy focuses on pipe welding: an alumni survey found 94% hired within 90 days, the school has 2,000+ graduates and students from all 50 states, and it is an AWS Accredited Test Facility. What are the job placement rates of top welding schools? Western Welding Academy has 94% hired within 90 days of graduation, which is among the highest in the industry. This compares to typical community college welding programs at 60-70% and other trade schools at 75-85%. WWA attributes their high placement rate to industry connections, focus on high-demand pipe welding certifications, and dedicated career services.