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Pursuing a Welding Career

Certainly the spectrum of possible welding careers is one of the most diverse. Particular jobs and expertise can lead you anywhere from underwater and underground to towering heights above. Possible industries include agriculture, construction, mining, manufacturing, or working in the field of national defense. With such an array of options set before you, turning to a profession in welding can offer a tempting opportunity for those harboring such skills.

What does it take to pursue one of these ever expanding welding careers? Well, due to the fact that each niche requires a certain set of skills, depending on what type of welding career you want to pursue your training will be tailored toward that particular job. However, there are basic certifications and requirements all licensed welders must go through regardless of what industry they plan to enter into. While it is possible to become a welder without such credentials, that is quickly becoming the rarity and if you aspire to be successful you will want to first earn your Associate Degree in Welding. This can be obtained from a vocational trade school, community college, or other University.

Once you have completed those courses and earned your degree, you will enter into an apprenticeship to perfect your skills and gain the experience necessary to then work on your own. Generally the school that you earned your degree from will have information to assist you in finding an established business or individual who will take you on as an apprentice. As each state has set different standards that must be met, the amount of time you must work as an apprentice will vary, so it is important to be aware of the requirements in your state. It is during this time that you will hone your craft to the specific welding career you are pursuing, working on different jobs, with different materials, and in varying positions.

Upon ending your apprenticeship you will be recognized as a Certified Welder and then able to work in the field of your choice of the thousands of possibilities. Gaining experience as you go along, you will no doubt further improve and over time establish yourself in the profession. You may decide to work with the same company with which you did your apprenticeship with, or to venture to another. Some employers require further certifications in specific types of welding, such as robotic welding, structural welding, or inspection. It is also something to bear in mind that you consider to continue taking courses at a community college to stay current with the latest trends and expertise.

The market is in high demand for such skilled trades such as welding, and expected to continue to rise even during these tough economic times. Today, some of the most in demand fields, and also the most lucrative, for welding include underwater welding, boilermaker welding, off shore oil rig welding, pipe fitting welding, and structural welding. Because each of these fields require further certification, and boast some of the hardest tests to pass in order to do so, those who become accredited and master the difficult tasks are highly marketable and quite desirable to employers. Take for instance underwater welding, not only must you be able to expertly perform the task, but you must be licensed in scuba diving and other specialty skills like rigging, drafting, testing, and underwater photography. Bearing all that in mind, an underwater welder can earn up to $100,000 a year. Boilermaker welding entails working with containers housing liquids or gases. Expert hands are needed for repairs, inspections, cleaning, and installing these large vats with caution, and welding careers in this field average at about $47,000 a year. Certified pipe welders also top the lists as bringing in the most money annually simply because there aren't that many who can pass the test and then go on to work in the field. Gaining certification is usually a key to earning a higher profit, making the difference of thousands of dollars a year. Those extra courses and documentation are what will set you apart from the rest of the competition and make you a more viable asset in the job market.

The bottom line comes down to the fact that there is now a shortage of trained and qualified welders, and for those capable to provide these services, big companies (and the government) are willing to pay top dollar. In response to that, welding courses that may once have been tough to find are becoming more prominent in class listings at colleges and schools around the country. If you have an interest in welding, have attention to detail, and enjoy challenging work now is the time to join this burgeoning career market.