Welders

Career Overview

Welders join, repair, and cut metal using processes such as MIG, TIG, and arc welding. They work with welding equipment and tools to create or repair metal components used in construction, manufacturing, transportation, fabrication, maintenance, and other industries.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required. Many welders enter the trade through a welding program, technical training, or an apprenticeship that combines classroom instruction with supervised, hands-on experience. Additional training and certifications can help welders specialize in areas such as structural welding, pipe welding, fabrication, or advanced welding processes.

Future Outlook

Welding remains important across construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, metal fabrication, and repair. Employment opportunities will vary by industry and location, while demand for skilled welders will continue to be supported by construction projects, equipment maintenance, manufacturing, and the need to replace experienced workers who leave the trade. Automation and robotic welding are also increasing in some manufacturing environments, making technical skills and the ability to work with modern welding technology increasingly valuable.

Work Environment

Welders may work indoors in manufacturing and fabrication facilities or outdoors on construction sites and other projects. The work can involve standing for long periods, working in confined spaces or at heights, handling equipment and materials, and working in varying weather conditions. Welders must follow strict workplace and welding safety procedures.

Recommended High School Courses

Chemistry
Math
Physics
Welding
Communication
Trade-related courses
Computer Applications

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Operate welding equipment.
Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Lay out parts to prepare for assembly.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
Determine metal or plastic production methods.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Operate grinding equipment.
Clean workpieces or finished products.
Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
Design templates or patterns.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Clean production equipment.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.
Repair parts or assemblies.
Reshape metal workpieces to established specifications.
Estimate material requirements for production.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Assemble metal structures.
Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Solder parts or workpieces.
Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.

Schools

Advanced Career Institute...

Aidt Maritime Training Ce...

Alfred State College

American River College

Arizona Western College

Arkansas Tech University

Atlanta Technical College

Atlantic Technical Colleg...

Austin Community College...

Bakersfield College- Pano...

Brazosport College

Cda Technical Institute

Central Arizona College

Central New Mexico Commun...

Cerritos College

Chippewa Valley Technical...

Clackamas Community Colle...

Clark State Community Col...

Coastal Alabama Community...

Coastal Pines Technical C...

College Of Lake County

Colorado Mesa University

Columbus State Community...

Dakota County Technical C...

Daytona State College

Des Moines Area Community...

Eastern Florida State Col...

El Camino College

Emily Griffith Technical...

Everett Community College

Ferris State University

Greenville Technical Coll...

Iḷisaġvik College

Indian Hills Community Co...

Ivy Tech Community Colleg...

Jefferson State Community...

Johnson County Community...

Kodiak College

Lanier Technical College-...

Montana State University-...

Navarro College- Corsican...

New England Institute Of...

North Central Texas Colle...

Northeast Wisconsin Techn...

Northern Industrial Train...

Northwest Iowa Community...

Northwest Louisiana Techn...

Northwestern Alaska Caree...

Palm Beach State College-...

Pearl River Community Col...

Pikes Peak Community Coll...

Pitt Community College

Rosedale Technical Colleg...

San Bernardino Valley Col...

San Jacinto Community Col...

South Suburban College

Southern Technical Colleg...

Southern Union State Comm...

Southwest Mississippi Com...

Stark State College- Akro...

Stark State College- Alli...

Stark State College- Barb...

Suny Jamestown Community...

Suny Niagara County Commu...

Thaddeus Stevens College...

Tidewater Tech Trades

University Of Alaska Anch...

University Of Alaska Fair...

University Of Alaska Sout...

University Of Arkansas- F...

University Of Montana

Utah State University

Walla Walla Community Col...

Washburn University- Inst...

Western Texas College

William R. Moore College...

Yuut Elitnaurviat

Academy Canada- Corner... ●

Academy Canada- St. Jo...

Assiniboine Community...

Aviron Technical Insti...

Cambrian College

Carlton Trail Regional...

Coast Mountain College...

College Of The North A...

Conestoga College- Cam...

Conestoga College- Wat...

Durham College- Oshawa...

Durham College- Whitby...

Fleming College- Suthe...

George Brown College-...

Georgian College- Midl...

Georgian College- Owen...

Grand Prairie Regional...

Grande Prairie Regiona...

Holland College

Keyano College- Suncor...

Kwantlen Polytechnic U...

Lakeland College- Verm...

Manitoba Institute Of...

Mohawk College- Stoney...

Montreal School Of Con...

New Brunswick Communit...

Nicola Valley Institut...

North American Trade S...

North American Trades...

North Island College-...

North West College- Ba...

North West College- Me...

Northern Alberta Insti...

Northern College- Kirk...

Northern Lights Colleg...

Nova Scotia Community...

Okanagan Valley Colleg...

Olds College- Main Cam...

Portage College- Lac L...

Red Deer College- Main...

Red River College- Int...

Red River College- Win...

Saskatchewan Polytechn...

Southeast Regional Col...

Stanford International...

Thompson Rivers Univer...

Ua Piping Industry Col...

Vancouver Island Unive...

Yukon University

Vancouver Island Univer...

USA

Canada

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Curt Pozan Trades Scholar...

Approx Salary Expectation

Low End:

$39,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$54,000.00 /yr

High End:

$78,000.00 /yr

Related Careers

Chemical Technician

Airline Pilot

Plumber, Pipefitter, & Steamfitters

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.