Welding and welding careers are in a state of transition from a hands-on labor-intensive profession to one that requires high-tech skills involving the operation of automated systems, electron beams, and lasers. Along with the use of automated systems is the need to operate computers and work with software that controls these increasingly sophisticated machines. It is estimated that 20% to 25% of all welding in the United States is now done by automated machines with a growth rate of +20% a year!
Is Welding a Good Career?
All of this change makes welding a very good career that can command higher salaries. Students interested in welding are also going into related fields such as systems integration, computer programming, lasters, robotics and materials engineering. According to the AWS outlook report, there will be a need for employment of over 250,000 – 310,000 welders over the next decade.
How to Start Welding Careers
Welding careers usually require a high school diploma plus technical school and on-the-job training.
Many welding careers start in high school. This is a good time to get experience in the basics. With the move to automation and computer controlled processes, it is also a good time to enhance your math, science and computer skills.
Helpful Skills:
- Blueprint reading
- Mathematics
- Mechanical drawing
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Metallurgy
- Electricity
- Computers
Try and learn the basic welding processes such as:
- GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)
- Also called TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas)
- GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding)
- Also called MIG (Metal Inert Gas Welding)
While in high school you can also join an American Welding Council student chapter. You can go on from here for a two-year associates degree in welding (welding technician) or go to a four-year college for a degree as a welding engineer.
There are many Welding Institutes that teach welding. Many are using a new system called EWI, which usees a virtual welding device to simulate the more than 80 different welding processes.
After working on the basics, for higher salaries consider getting certified in Laser Welding and Robotic Welding.
Look for courses that lead to certification by a welding school or the American Welding Society.
Advanced Degrees in Welding and Engineering
If you like studying and education, consider getting an engineering degree. The combination of hands-on welding experienced plus an engineering degree (Welding and Metallurgical Engineering) will set you up for a higher salary.
Welding Jobs
In the United States, there are 404,800 welding jobs. Industries with the largest number or welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in manufacturing. Statistics are as follows:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
By 2019 there will be a need for 310,000 new or replacement welders in the United States(1). See our guide to construction welding jobs. We also found this article helpful on finding a welding job after technical school.
Welding Salaries
While starting welding salaries are similar to other construction oriented fields, experienced welders can command salaries that are over $100,000 dollars a year. Listed below are the median salaries (what most people earn) in welding related professions. Starting salaries for beginning welders that just graduated high school range from $10 to $14 an hour. Salaries increase with an increase in skills, complexity and when you specialize, such as if you become a welding engineer.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, The National Center for Welding Education and Training
Higher salaries sometimes require work in more remote or challenging conditions. For example, an experienced welder on an oil rig can earn over $100,000 a year. A commercial diver that helps to build bridges can earn $40,000 to $70,000 with overtime.
The median annual wage for brazers, solderers, welders, and cutters was $48,940 (U.S. dollars) in 2023.(1)
The key to a higher salary is also to master more types of welding. After high school considers continuing your education at a Welding Technology School or at a Welding Institute such as the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.
You will also want to become certified by the American Welding Society. The AWC also certifies welding inspectors, supervisors, sales representatives and for robotic arc welding.
Paying for Your Education
There are many welding scholarships available along with financial aid awards. Local unions may also offer training when you apply and are accepted as an apprentice. This way you earn while you learn.
Welding scholarships are available for the United States and students living outside of the United States.
Welding Scholarships
| Scholarship | Description |
|---|---|
| AWS Welder Training Scholarship | Supports students in community colleges, approved training programs or trading schools. Apply by filling out this form. Applications may be submitted year-round and will be selected on a rolling basis until the District awards the designated $10,000 for the year. Applications received prior to November 30th will be eligible for any funds remaining in that calendar year. Applications received after November 30th will be considered in the following calendar year. Ten awards, to ten different recipients at $1,000 each, may be made by each District, and are for tuition and fees only. |
| AWS District Scholarships | Must be enrolled in a welding-related educational or training program. Your welding school must be located in the United States or its territories, except for international scholarships. The deadline for receiving applications at the Foundation office is March 1st. Scholarships are usually awarded from May to June; the funds are made available for the coming fall term. Applicants must show financial need |
| District-Named and Section-Named Scholarships | The general purpose of the Section-Named and District Named scholarships is to promote welding education on a section and district level. They can be named after individuals who’ve helped to shape the welding industry and the American Welding Society in a significant way. Each scholarship's eligibility requirements are individually listed. For more information, please view the scholarship that you are interested in or visit the section website. |
| National Scholarships | National Scholarships, awarded annually, are for students pursuing a specific degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Individual scholarships are worth a minimum of $2,500 annually. The application deadline is February 15th. |
| International Scholarships | International Scholarships are awarded to full-time international students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in joining sciences. Applicants can be matriculating in accredited joining science programs at an institution located anywhere in the world. Applicants can matriculate into accredited joining science programs at institutions anywhere in the world. The student must be in the top 20% of the institution’s grading system. Proof of country citizenship is required with each application. Applicant must have completed at least one year of welding or related field of study at the Baccalaureate degree-granting institution. The student must be enrolled full time. Deadline for submission of all application information is April 1st, established by the postmark, for the following Fall academic term. |
Source: American Welding Society Scholarships
Free Brochures
Welding Careers
by The American Welding Society
Resources
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Careers in Welding
- Jobs Listings in Welding
- ESAB Job Listings