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Digital Career Fair
WelderA welder takes various metal components and uses intense heat to fuse them together to form a final product. Thus, they must have the strength and skills to manage welding equipment. After completing a postsecondary training program they can be employed in numerous industries, including construction, steel, aerospace and motor vehicles, each of which may depend on their level of expertise. (source)
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Job Details
Education Requirements and preparation
Many welders complete a postsecondary training program; they may also participate in on-the-job training. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who hold voluntary professional Certified Welder or Certified Welding Fabricator credentials. (source)
Required Education: Postsecondary training
Certification: Voluntary professional certification through the American Welding Society sometimes preferred
Median Annual Salary (May 2018)*: $41,380 (for all Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers)
Job Growth (2018-2028)*: 3% (for all Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers)Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education: Postsecondary training
Certification: Voluntary professional certification through the American Welding Society sometimes preferred
Median Annual Salary (May 2018)*: $41,380 (for all Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers)
Job Growth (2018-2028)*: 3% (for all Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers)Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Range and Job Prospects
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected employment opportunities for welders to have a slower than average increase of 3% between 2016 and 2026 (www.bls.gov). Opportunities are expected to be better for welders who've been trained to work with advanced equipment due to the difficulty employers are facing finding qualified workers.
Welders willing to relocate to different states may find more job opportunities. Salary ranges for welders vary by welding skills, industry experience and employer; the median annual salary was $41,380 as of May 2018, per the BLS.
To be a welder, you need experience, a sharp eye for detail and a strict adherence to safety, as their work can be quite complicated and hazardous. Even though the job growth for welders is slow, there are still opportunities available for skilled workers, with an expected salary of around $41,380. (source)
Welders willing to relocate to different states may find more job opportunities. Salary ranges for welders vary by welding skills, industry experience and employer; the median annual salary was $41,380 as of May 2018, per the BLS.
To be a welder, you need experience, a sharp eye for detail and a strict adherence to safety, as their work can be quite complicated and hazardous. Even though the job growth for welders is slow, there are still opportunities available for skilled workers, with an expected salary of around $41,380. (source)
Key skills and competencies
- Operate manual and robotic welding equipment.
- Must be proficient in Layout, Tacking, Welding, Grinding and finishing.
- Strong understanding in blue print reading/ weld symbols to accurately build products to specified tolerances.
- Must be able to work within a team based environment to accomplish all aspects of welding and fabrication.
- Knowledge in use of precision measuring instruments and the application of such instruments. Instruments should include but not limited to calipers, ID and OD micrometers, depth gages, indicators and scales.
- Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
- Must be adaptable to a changing work environment, competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
- Must possess basic math skills to include but not limited to adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, conversions of fractions and decimals.
Activities
- Thinking about becoming a welder. Read this article to learn more: Planning a career in welding: A young person's guide
- Explore Career School Now to learn how to become a welder.
- Check out the many Welding Career Profiles
- Welder Coloring Page
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Page Last Updated: 4/15/2020