Welders work in a wide variety of industries including railroad, machinery manufacturing, auto manufacturing, and construction. Basically anywhere metal needs to be permanently joined there’s a welder involved, using one of the 100’s of different welding processes. The equipment they use creates flame or electrical currents, which produces heat and bonds the metals together.
A Welder’s Job Description Includes:
- Studying the specifications laid out in blueprints or sketches
- Determining the size of the welding project
- Measuring out the projects dimensions
- Taking into account the type of structure in need of welding
- Using the welding equipment to bond together pieces of metal
- Making sure the equipment and metals do not overheat
- Maintaining all the machinery to ensure it’s always working properly
To be a successful welder, you need qualities such as physical strength and stamina; it’s a very hands-on job. Spatial relations and technical skills are extremely important, since you’ll be using diagrams and equipment for precision. Find a local welding school.
Training to Become a Welder
Most employers will expect you to have either a high school diploma or a GED. Not only will you need technical training, you’ll also have on-the-job training. There are a few different ways you can train for a career in welding including:
- High school technical education
- Community college
- Trade school program
- On-the-job training
- Military service
Having a background in the following subjects will be helpful in your welding career:
- Blueprint reading
- Shop mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Mechanical drawing
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Electricity
If you take trade school or community college welding certificate program it normally takes under 1 year to earn your welding certification, which most employers will expect. You can also take a trade school program such as an Associate’s Degree in Welding Technology, which will take about 2 years to complete.
2023 Median Salary Information
Percentile wage estimates for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $ 17.71 | $ 20.56 | $ 23.53 | $ 28.80 | $ 35.08 |
| Annual Wage | $ 36,830 | $ 42,760 | $ 48,940 | $ 59,900 | $ 72,970 |
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