How to become a welder

Are you drawn to a hands-on career, one where you can be the backbone of many industries? Welding might just be the ticket.

While welding isn’t on our highest-paying associate degrees list, the earnings are nothing to sneeze at either. 3 years after college, people with an associate degree in precision metal working (the name lots of welding programs go under) are making an average of $45,338, which is above the national average of $42,254 for all associate degrees. Plus, with more experience under your belt, you can expect to make even more money down the line.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the journey of becoming a welder. We’ll talk about how to get welding certification, what kind of pay you can expect, and what the job market looks like. So, whether you’re a high school student pondering your future or an adult contemplating a career shift, keep reading.

What do welders do?

Welders use specialized equipment to join metals together by heating them to the melting point. They work in various industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. Welders must follow strict safety procedures and have a keen eye for detail to create strong, precise welds.

Types of welding

Below are some of the most common types of welding, from easiest to most difficult to learn.

What degree do you need to be a welder?

There is no specific degree you need to become a welder. However, employers often require that you have at least a high school diploma or GED. Many welders gain their skills through vocational training, trade schools, or community colleges that offer certification programs or associate degrees in welding technology.

How long does it take to become a welder?

It could take you anywhere from 3.5 to 6 years to become a fully-fledged welder, but it depends on the educational path you choose.

Vocational programs can be completed in 6 months to a year. An associate degree will usually take about 2 years. However, after completing your education, most industries also require some on-the-job experience or an apprenticeship, which can last between 3 to 5 years.

How to become a certified welder in 4 steps

Here’s a step-by-step guide for anyone interested in becoming a welder.

Step 1 – Finish high school

You’ll need at least a high school diploma or a GED to start your welding career. Taking classes like math, physics, and shop in high school can provide you with a solid starting point for understanding the basics of welding.

Step 2 – Go to a vocational school

While you don’t need a specific degree to start welding, going through a certificate program or earning an associate degree can really help you learn the ropes, including proper techniques and safety practices.

Community colleges, vocational schools, and even some trade unions offer welder training programs, which take 6–24 months to finish. Veterans have the option of completing an accelerated welding training program through the U.S. Armed Forces.

Step 3 – Get hands-on experience

Practical experience is the key component of your welder training journey. Entry-level welding positions or internships are often available to newly certified welders, allowing you to apply your learned skills in a real-world environment.

Apprenticeships are also an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn under the supervision of experienced welders. Lots of associate degree programs in welding include an apprenticeship opportunity.

Step 4 – Get certified

After you’ve got some experience, you can get certified. Many jobs require or prefer welders to be certified, and certification often leads to higher pay and better job opportunities.

The American Welding Society (AWS) is the main organization for welding certification in the US, but for some types of specialized welding (for example, working on petroleum pipelines), you may need to go through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Choose a specialization (optional)

If you’d like to take your welding career to the next level, specializing in a specific type of welding could lead to some unique opportunities. Some examples of specialties in welding include:

• Underwater welding: It’s like scuba diving and welding had a baby! This involves fixing or building structures deep underwater and is sometimes called “the most dangerous job on the planet”. It’s also very well paid.
• Pipe welding: In this specialty, welders join and repair pipes or tubes, commonly for the oil and gas industry.
• Aerospace welding: This involves crafting and mending parts for spaceships and planes.
• Automotive welding: Love cars? This specialty lets you fuse parts together in the creation and repair of all types of vehicles.

Each welding specialty requires its own unique set of skills and additional training, which can be earned through specialized certification programs.

Get advanced certifications (optional)

To further specialize in the field, you can also get various advanced certifications. For example, the Certified Welding Inspector or Certified Welding Educator credentials from the AWS can provide more diverse job opportunities working as a welding instructor or inspector. Welding certifications require several years of experience, further education or training, and successful completion of an examination.

Welder salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average welder salary is $47,010 per year or $22.60 per hour. The best-paid welders earn more than $63,660 a year. Note that the BLS groups welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers together.

Job outlook for welders

The job market for welders is expected to grow 2% from 2021 to 2031, which is slower than the average of 5% for all occupations. Despite this slow growth, there continue to be shortages of qualified welders across many industries.