In this article, we will look through what welding is and the career prospects and opportunities available for people considering a career in welding.
Job Prospects for Welders
Welding is an essential part of the world economy. Many companies are looking for skilled welders and employment of welders in the US is expected to grow 3% by the end of 2029. There is a welding shortage in the US, with lots of older welders reaching the retirement age and not enough young welders entering the workforce to replace them. This makes welding job prospects very high as they are in such high demand.
Salary for Welders
Welding can be a lucrative career choice. Most welders in the US comfortably make more than $40,000 a year, with varying salaries depending on job title and location. For example, welders working on rigs or having to travel to remote locations can earn more than $80,000 a year. Underwater welders and travelling pipe welders can also earn over $100,000 a year. Qualified welding inspectors will also earn more than many out on the field welders Generally speaking, the more skilled and experienced you are, and the more difficult the welding job is, the higher the salary. This gives you great options if you’re someone who wants the opportunity to travel the world whilst earning a high salary.
What Welding Entails
Welding is the process of joining metals by fusing and melting them together. It is a job best suited to people who like being active and working with their hands. Welding is considered an art by many in the industry and professionals take great pride in their work. Welders need to be precise and skilled with their hands to ensure that they create good results. Successful welders will need to be detail-oriented and reliable problem solvers.
Welders can work in many different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, pipelines, underwater, military and much more. Depending on your skill set you may be suited to a certain industry. For example, if you’re good at math, you could look at welding engineering. If you like cars you can enter the automotive industry. If you’re a talented diver you can try underwater welding, and so on.
Some welders have to work very long hours, it’s not unheard of to work seven days a week or ten hour days when you’re out on the field. Once you’ve gained experience you can move into a less hands-on role if you wish, such as education, welding inspection or project management.
How long to train to be a welder
One of the great things about taking a career as a welder is that you don’t need a college or university degree to become a welder. This can save you a lot of student debt and also a lot of time. To become a welder, you simply need to complete your welder training at a certified welder school. This can be completed in a few months, depending on which course you take. Welder training will typically be a mix of hands-on work and some welding theory. To achieve certification you will need to produce a variety of quality welds which will need to pass inspection by a welding inspector. Many schools also work with employers which help give newly qualified welders a route into the workplace. It’s not unrealistic to think you can go from never having welded before, to achieving certification and getting a good job within a year.
Summary
Welding is a skill that is massively in demand around the world. There is currently a shortage of welders which has created a lot of highly paid job opportunities, with many more professional welders set to retire in the next ten years. Welders may have to work long hours and travel away from home, however, these jobs are usually very well paid. You don’t need a university degree to qualify, so you can earn good money without spending years training, making it a great career choice for the right person.
