How To Become a Welder-Your 2019 Guide To Welding Careers

A welder joins things together with metals. You will use a variety of processes to complete your jobs. There are also quite a few different career options that you can get into that can touch land, sea, sky, and everything in between. Welders keep our nation’s structures, both old and new, standing proud and tall. You are needed in a variety of different industries; you will be able to go from one field of work to another. If welding is a career option you’re considering, read on to find out why welding is a good career choice.

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WHAT IS A WELDER?

Depending on what industry you’ll work in will determine your scope of work. However, one thing welding has in common across all industries is that heat is used to fuse metal parts together. Tools, processes, and types of metals will vary as there are more than 100 actual processes welders use, with the most common type being arc welding. Welders need to have an in-depth understanding of blueprint readings and specifications so that they can accurately determine what is involved in their project.

Focus and determination are key elements necessary to being a successful welder. You need to be extremely detail-oriented to assess the necessary repairs accurately, and to catch the change in the flow of the liquid metal being used to join parts. You should have higher than average manual dexterity and physical stamina, as well as physical strength. Think about it, as a welder you are sometimes stuck in one position, holding heavy equipment, for extended periods of time. You need to be able to sustain that without fail, or the project may flop.

12 Interesting Welding Facts

AN EXTREME WELDER SHORTAGE

Students are graduating from four-year colleges and having a hard time finding jobs. In the welding industry, there is a massive shortage of qualified welders. Since 1988, the number of working welders has decreased by half, and that number is shrinking rapidly. The main reason for this shortage of welders is that the sum of those retiring is not equal to those entering the workforce. Welding is being underrepresented and yet welders are necessary to our nation’s infrastructure.

By 2020, the shortage of skilled welders is estimated to be 300,000.

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FACTS ABOUT WELDING SCHOOL

If you’re still in high school and considering going into the trade of welding, it is strongly suggested that you take all the shop classes your high school offers, along with loading up in math and science classes. And, consider finding a job opportunity at an auto body shop or anywhere you can learn about welding through a professional. To become a professional welder, you must:

• Either graduate high school or obtain your GED.
• After that, the requirements may vary by employer.
• Some will offer apprenticeships and training programs.
• Most employers suggest, at the very minimum, a trade school diploma in welding.
• Trade or vocational schools offer diplomas in welding
• Community colleges offer associate’s degrees in welding technology.
• With both types of programs you will take physics, chemistry, blueprint reading, metallurgy, mechanical drawing, and shop math.
• You’ll also learn the essential art of heating and shape various metals, which welding is based upon.
• There will also be plenty of hands-on opportunities which will not only teach but give you the necessary exposure to experience, as well.

You can also further your already established welding career.

FINDING THE RIGHT WELDING SCHOOL

Choosing a welding school doesn’t have to be an impossible chore. One way to help make your decision easier is to go to a local company that employs welders and find out where they went. Maybe ask them some questions about their school experience, while you’re there. If doing that is out of your comfort zone, that’s ok. There are other steps you can take such as visiting the American Welding Society’s website to see what schools they recommend in your area or wherever you are choosing to go to school.

Other things to check out when school searching is whether they are accredited, what their graduation rate is, and what their job placement program is like, assuming they have one.

You may also want to consider setting up a time to do a classroom visit, to see what you’re getting into! While you’re snooping around, notice the machinery. Is there enough for each student? Are they in decent condition? Ask the students; they’ll tell you what their experience is. Keep in mind; some people don’t like going to school, no matter what program they are in, so they might have a negative attitude toward it. Therefore, asking a few different students their opinions will give a better idea.

Three of the largest welding schools are Tulsa Welding School, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, and Lincoln Welding Training.

And there's plenty of room for career advancement in Welding!

HOW MUCH WELDER EDUCATION COSTS

There are a couple of different ways to obtain your welding education. Formal and informal apprenticeships are decent options. And, there is the trade school or community college option, as well.

Apprenticeships can be free or have a nominal cost, roughly $1,300 and will last 3-5 years before you’re ready to go on your own. A four-year bachelor’s degree in welding technology will cost between $40,000-$100,000.

The two more traditional ways to become a welder are through either a diploma or associate’s degree programs. One of the main differences between the two programs is that an associate’s degree will include general education courses with the credits needed for graduation varying depending on the school. Diploma or certificate programs focus on welding, period. However, with an associate’s degree, you have the option of continuing to receive a bachelor’s degree in welding technology.

Of course, educational costs and their supplemental costs depend on which school and where it’s located. It is possible to receive scholarships and financial aid to offset the cost of the welding education, so it’s important to discuss options with the financial department of the school. Find out more about financial aid. The American Welding Society offers quite a few scholarship opportunities, and you can learn more about them on their website.

WELDING JOB OUTLOOK AND SALARY

Welding will experience a slow employment growth of five percent through 2026. Sure, this is slower than most other occupations but do not be discouraged if you’re thinking about going into welding because there is still a high need for welders as our nation’s infrastructure ages. Most welding jobs are found in the manufacturing sector with a concentration in transportation equipment, fabricated metal products, agricultural, mining, and farming machinery, and architectural and structural metals manufacturing. Welders who aren’t up to date in their training will find it hard to find a job because of how competitive the job market will be.

Welders earn a median annual wage of $39,390. The lowest ten percent made $26,800 while the top ten percent brought in more than $62,000 annually. Pay is determined by various measures such as skill, which industry the welder is in, and the size of the company.

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WELDER CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Not all states require welders to be certified. However, to be more employable, certification is highly recommended. Certification verifies to potential employers and customers that the welder has the skills to complete the necessary tasks. It provides a level of reassurance to employers that their work reputation isn’t at stake. Certification also means a larger paycheck and better job advancements for you, the certified welder.

There are quite a few different certifications available to welders and, depending on what kind of welding work the welder is looking to do will determine which certification is needed. They cost between $275-$1,100 depending on which certification is being pursued.

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American Welding Society: The AWS offers nine different areas of certifications. You can get certified as a welder, a welding instructor, or in certified robotic arc welding. Becoming a member of the AWS will lower the prices of the certification exams.

Now, more than ever, our country needs qualified welders. It’s a fantastic career choice, filled with a variety of different career options and salaries. Whether you’re looking to change your career or you’re just starting out, becoming a welder could be the perfect fit for you.