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Welders and Welding Technicians


Overview

Introduction

Welders operate a variety of special equipment to join metal parts together permanently, usually using heat and sometimes pressure. They work on constructing and repairing automobiles, aircraft, ships, buildings, bridges, highways, appliances, and many other metal structures and manufactured products. Welding technicians are the link between the welder and the engineer and work to improve a wide variety of welding processes. As part of their duties, they may supervise, inspect, and find applications for the welding processe...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$42,490

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma
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Experience

Postsecondary training or apprenticeship


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Skills

Building/Trades
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Personality Traits

Conventional
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Earnings

The earnings of welding trades workers vary widely depending on the skills needed for the job, industry, location, and other factors. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual earnings of welders in May 2019 were $42,490. Salaries ranged from $29,470 to $64,240 or more. In addition to wages, employers often provide fringe benefits, such as health insurance plans, paid vacation tim...

Work Environment

Welders may spend their workday inside in well-ventilated and well-lighted shops and factories, outside at a construction site, or in confined spaces, such as in an underground tunnel or inside a large storage tank that is being built. Welding jobs can involve working in uncomfortable positions. Sometimes welders work for short periods in booths that are built to contain sparks and glare. In so...

Outlook

Overall employment for welders is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL reports that, in the coming years, "the nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings."

In construction, wholesale trad...