Competitive Wages and Career Growth in Welding

The skilled trades are in demand, and with welding extending across many different industries including construction, automotive, oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, and shipbuilding, beginning a career as a welder can set you on the path toward a lucrative and stable career with ample opportunity for growth. Beginning a career in welding can be as simple as researching fabrication shops in your area and looking for their requirements to begin your journey.

Beginning a Career as a Welder is a Simple Process

The only prerequisite to begin a career as a welder is a high school diploma or GED. Welders can take two different routes to begin their career. One route is to go through a vocational program that will directly instruct you in all the basic technical skills that you will need. Taking welding courses will allow you to earn a certification that can make you marketable to many different fabrication shops. While this route does allow you to begin your career with minimal expenses, you will need to spend time in school before you can begin earning money as a welder.

The other route to beginning a career as a welder is to find a fabricator who offers on-the-job training and an apprenticeship program that will allow you to begin earning while working through your training. These employers often foster a culture of mentorship and knowledge sharing, with experienced welders passing on their knowledge and skills to the next generation of welders. When you are considering a career as a welder, take some time to research your options.

Welders Start with a Competitive Salary

Skilled trades are in demand. With welding as a skill that is used in many different industries, welders get a competitive salary from the very start of their career. In addition, welders are set up for a strong financial position since they can incur very little debt to begin their career, particularly if they opted for hands-on training or apprenticeships. Most welders will begin their career making between $20-25 an hour, with the ability to double their income within a few years after gaining additional specialized skills. For an entry-level welder with a high school diploma, welding is one of the most lucrative careers out there. Many high-quality fabrication shops promote from within, and when you begin your apprenticeship, your mentor can help you pinpoint opportunities for career growth in the future.

Welders Have Many Options

Once you are a certified welder with basic welding skills, you can choose to work independently, work in a metal fabrication shop, or work in many different industries such as automotive, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, or shipbuilding. Welders have additional options for side jobs on a freelance basis if they have the personal tools necessary to complete jobs. 

Welding is an extremely diverse industry with plenty of options for specialization. Although welding is very technical, there are also opportunities for welders to express their creative side in many instances. Creating complex designs from metal will add an aesthetic appeal to many different projects, and that can be very attractive to clients. As welders grow in their career, they can choose to specialize in certain techniques and even branch out on their own as small business owners.

Trade Skills – Especially Welders – Are in High Demand

With welders in high demand, you will never need to worry about job stability. There are diverse welding job opportunities in many different industries. One of the benefits working in a fabrication shop is that you will be able to work standard hours without needing to be on call, as may be required in other skilled trades. As you develop your skills as a welder, you can move into supervisory or project management roles which can give you further control over your career path.

Welders Can Quickly Advance with Skill Development

As you grow in your career in welding, there are various types of welding to specialize in, including:

• Energy Beam Welding

Energy beam welding is most often used in aircraft and car manufacturing.

• Atomic Hydrogen Welding

Hydrogen is used in this type of welding to melt materials that are more heat resistant.

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding

This is the most common form of welding, as it works in most environments and for most materials.

• Flux-Cored Arc Welding

This type of welding produces less waste than other styles, but does have a higher-cost.

• Plasma Arc Welding

Plasma arc welding is used in the aircraft industry, as it produces a sturdier result than other methods.

By choosing to specialize in these methods, welders can make themselves very marketable. However, to truly advance in a career as a welder, it is also important to build other skills including time management, organization, precision, and attention to detail. Safety knowledge is also very important. If you are interested in moving up in your career as a welder, particularly if you want to become a welding supervisor or instructor, these skills are just as important.

For competitive wages and career growth as a welder, it is not only important to build skills and obtain certifications, but it is also important to start your career with the right fabrication shop. A quality shop will help their employees attain their career goals by providing the right mentorship, training, and resources. When a fabrication shop invests in their employees, they recognize that they are developing the next generation of skilled workers. Finding a fabrication shop with a reputation for success can set you on the right career path. If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a welder with Swanton Welding Co., contact us today to learn more about how to get started.