Is Welding A Good Career Or A Dead End Job?

Sometimes I wonder what is it feels like to have a job? Not any kind of job but the one that requires special skills. That's when I thought of the position of being a welder. I know that you really need to have a background in welding or weld to get the job done in this kind of industrial work. I was also contemplating if welding would be a promising career for me. Do you wonder about it too?

As I was diving into my thoughts about being a welder, I researched the internet to see if welding would be a promising career.

Based on what I have searched, welding is a perfect career that you can take. I know that many of us did not pursue continuing to college, and some of us didn't have the capabilities to go to a university. But, don't let this hinder you from getting a good-paying salary job.

If you are looking for a decent and good-paying job, you can consider being a welder. In fact, welding is an in-demand job that many companies seek. You don't need to have a college degree to be a metal worker. By taking short training programs, you will have a chance to get a job in industrial work.

How to be a Metal Worker?

Okay, suppose you plan to find a career in industrial work, but you didn't even know where to start. As an individual who experiences finding a job that suits me, I will help you understand the basics and where to start.

Look for Training Programs

First, you will need to have background knowledge of welding. You must attend a training program for welding to develop or even enhance your skills and abilities. Some weld training schools offer different training durations if you have a busy schedule.

Technical Institutions: If you choose this program, you can immediately earn your welding certificate in less than one year. Provided that you have completed the course and training program.

Community College: In this type of program, you will be asked to complete a two-year course in your chosen vocational, welding. After you have fulfilled the training program, you will be granted an associate degree.

These schools and training institutions offer flexible time for you. They are evidently affordable rather than going to college.

Now that you have completed your training program and already earned a certification, what would be the next step?

Look for industries that are currently hiring a metal worker

Do you know that there is a shortage of welders in industrial work? Being a metal worker would be a promising career for you. If you are looking for industries that hire welders, I listed below some industries that may actively be hiring a welder.

Construction Sites
Energy Industry
Mechanical Industry
Structural or Metal Manufacturers
Cruise/Ship Building
Motor Vehicle Companies
Automotive Studios
Aerospace Studios
Armed Forces/ Navy

Note: Remember that they can assign you to different places (even in strange ones), so make sure that you have the guts to apply for them.

Know what type of welding you are suitable for:

You must know by now the type of welding you are more confident and comfortable doing. Know first what welding type of job you are aligned with before applying for a welding job.

There are various types of welding that you can choose, and you need to base it on your skills and abilities.

If you are still confused as to what type of weld is, I will list them down:

1. Construction welders- Construction sites often need welders to put up in metal works. If you completed the one-year or less training program, you could try this welding job.

2. Residential welders- If you are into fixing small tasks, then being a residential welder might suit you. It doesn't require intensive training and experience. As long as you have a welding background, you are suited for this job.

3. Mechanical welders- you assemble pieces of different metals such as alloys, stainless steel, aluminum, and steel.

4. Structural welders- also known as ironworkers, will be asked to assemble and construct steel formations if you opt for this welding job.

5. Automotive welders- if you are interested in cars and motors, then being an automotive welder might suit you.

6. Armed Forces or Military welders- you will be working for the military. This involves the navy and air force. Still, you will need to undergo basic military training to be an army welder.

7. Pipe welders- you are in charge of fixing and welding the pipes, such as the oil and gas pipes.

Standard or Flexible Working Hours

Congratulations! You are hired! Now you thought about how many hours you will render your time?

You may ask your employer if they are in standard or flexible working hours. Most companies go for the standard or the traditional working schedule, which is being a full-time worker. If you are a full-time welder, you will need to allow six (6) hours of work per day or 30 hours in a week. Still, you have another choice. You can also opt for a part-time schedule.

But, some enterprises are considering the contractual employee. You will only be hired by your employer for a short time. It can be because of the shortage of staff, or the project can be done immediately. You will be signing a contract with your employer before starting your work as a contract metal worker.

Note: If there is a chance, always choose to be a full-time welder. A welder's wage depends on the hours that you render in your duty.

Knowing your Salary

You are about to receive your first paycheck, but you don't have any idea about the rates of being a welder.

Did you know that metal workers or welders are among the highest-paying skilled workers in the United States? Gasp! Didn't you know that? Well, now you know.

If you have plans to be in industrial work, you are in the correct part. Entry-level metal workers can earn up to $40,000 to $200,000 annually, which only means that they are being paid $17 to $20 per hour in their shift.

Yet, each type of welding job differs in salary. I listed below the average wages for different kinds of industrial work.

Welder/Metal Worker- $17 to $20 per hour
Rig Welders- $5,000 to $207,000
Sub-Aquatic Welders-$38,000 to $147 000
Pipeline Welder- $23,000 to $133,500
Military Welders- $37,000 to $160,000
Aerospace Welders- $37,000 to $69,000

Benefits of having a Welding Career

Industrial work is indeed a tough job, but do you know that there are also a lot of benefits that you enjoy being a welder?

If you opt for a welding career, you are walking on the right path. A welder is the most wanted job in the industry, some of the welders are in age ranging from 50 to 65 years old, and they are on the verge of retiring their work. That is why metal workers are listed as one of the most in-demand jobs.

Here are the benefits you can get from being a welder

1. College Degree is not required- Just like what I have said above, a bachelor's degree is not required when applying for a welding job. You just need to complete a training program and earn your certification to be qualified as a metal worker.

2. Many job opportunities- Welding offers a broad scope of career opportunities ahead of you. A welding job is versatile, which means that we need a welder in every aspect of our life.

3. Travel Opportunities- Depending on your job, you can go to different cities, states, or countries. If you work for a cruise or ship, travel opportunities are always there.

4. Good Paying Salary- You must not underestimate the salary of a welder. As I have s