What Qualification is Needed to Become a Welder?

<p>To work as a welder, you'll typically need to undergo specialized training at a high school, vocational school or community college. You might also be able to enroll in an apprenticeship or internship program. Another route is to join the U.S. Armed Forces and complete its training program. In some cases, you may be hired by an employer and receive training on the job. </p> <p>If you're pursuing postsecondary education, you can enroll in an associate's degree program in welding technology or a certificate of completion in welding. During these programs, you'll complete courses on physics, chemistry, blueprint reading, shop mathematics and mechanical drawing. A great deal of hands-on experience is required during a welding program, since you'll need to become familiar with the tools used in this career. You'll also need to practice welding with different types of metals and varying sizes of materials. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutWelders">Important Facts About Welders</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Training Needed</td><td> Combination of technical school and on-the-job training</td></tr> <tr><td>
Work Environment
</td><td>
Warehouse, outdoors</td></tr> <tr><td>
On-the-job Training
</td><td>
Moderate-term</td></tr> <tr><td>
Similar Occupations
</td><td>
Assembler, boilermaker, jeweler</td></tr> <tr><td>
Key skills
</td><td>
Dexterity, detail oriented, stamina, strength, spacial oriented and technical skills</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WelderDefined">Welder Defined</h3> <p>As a welder, your exact career duties can vary depending on the industry in which you're employed. Most employers require you to be familiar with arc welding. This technique bonds metals together with heat by using electrical currents. In some cases, you might oversee machines capable of automated welding. In these scenarios, you'll program the machines and ensure that they're performing the welding tasks correctly. </p> <h3 id="section---SalaryInformationAndJobOutlook">Salary Information and Job Outlook</h3> <p>As of 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $47,010. The same source reported that the top-paying state for welders was the District of Columbia, which offered a yearly mean income of $71,230 in 2021. If you're interested in entering the top-paying industry for welding, then you might want to be employed in the electric power generation, transmission and distribution industry. This industry only employed 1,040 workers in 2021, and these professionals received an annual mean salary of $92,130. </p> <p>The BLS projected that welding positions were expected to grow only 2% from 2021-2031. Despite the average growth, job opportunities should be favourable if you've been properly trained with the latest techniques. Welding skills can also transfer across multiple industries, including the automotive, agricultural and oil industries, so if you're unable to find work with one company, you can apply for jobs in a new field.</p>