From Entry-Level to $100,000 a Year: Career Opportunities for Welding Graduates

By Lisa Kroulik © October 29, 2011

Welding is a skilled career that is in high demand in several fields, including shipping, aeronautics, construction, military careers and more. The training program for work as an entry-level welder is called a master welder program and it can be completed in as little as six months. Instruction focuses on reading welding codes, structural welding, safety codes, pipeline welding and learning to interpret blueprints and layouts. Students also learn specific welding methods, such as shielded metal arc welding and metal inert gas. The American Welding Society offers a complete listing of degree and certification programs as well as a college locator. The link to their website is listed at the end of this article.

Testing for certification requires the student to perform a practical demonstration of welding skills learned during his or her formal education. After the student earns certification as a welder, he or she is eligible for entry-level work in the field. Typical jobs at this level include sheet metal fabricator, diesel mechanic, cutter and solderer. In 2008, the median annual salary for entry-level welder positions was $33,000 per year.

A typical career move for master welders is to obtain advanced training and become a welding inspector. However, the welder must have several years of experience in the field before enrolling in any additional coursework. He or she must also pass additional certification before receiving the title of welding inspector.

Once the advanced credentials and certification have been obtained, the new welding inspector is charged with inspecting the welds on customer job sites to verify that they meet the specifications necessary. He or she may also supervise the work of other welders and offer correction when needed. Welding inspectors typically start out with an annual salary of approximately $50,000 and can work their way up to $100,000 or more after several years on the job.

High schools, community colleges and technical colleges that offer welding classes to their students need qualified people to teach them. There is no set standard of requirements for a welding teacher as each institution is free to create its own minimum standards. Some colleges prefer an instructor to have more real-world experience over formal education, while others set a Bachelor’s Degree as the minimum educational requirement.

For any teaching position, the majority of high schools and colleges require at least an Associate’s Degree. In May 2010, the average high school welding teacher earned a yearly salary of approximately $55,000 while the average college welding teacher earned around $1,000 to $3,000 less.

The job of an underwater welder is a very specialized and dangerous one. People who are interested in pursuing this welding career path need formal training as a diver in addition to welding certification. They also need to be in excellent physical condition to keep up with the demands of the job.

A typical day as an underwater welder might involve diving to locate equipment for a power plant or the Navy. Underwater welders are continually at risk for developing nitrogen in the bloodstream due to high water pressure. The risk of electric shock is another constant danger. To offset the risks and the level of education needed, underwater welders usually earn annual salaries in excess of $100,000.

Those who have both welding skills and an entrepreneurial bent may achieve the greatest career fulfillment by starting their own business. They just need to bear in mind that business ownership requires a new set of skills that were not required when working as a welder for someone else. These include advertising to attract new customers, developing marketing plans, settling disputes with employees and customers, knowing how to prepare a business tax return and more. Just like with welding skills, the skills needed by an entrepreneur can be obtained by investing in more education. There is no limit on the amount of money a self-employed welder can earn, but he or she needs to be prepared to devote many hours to the business.