Introduction
Welding is a critical trade that shapes the infrastructure and construction of our cities, creates machines and vehicles, and maintains pipelines and other critical infrastructure. Welders are highly skilled professionals who work in diverse fields, from aerospace engineering to automotive manufacturing to underwater construction. But how much do these skilled workers earn? This article explores the subject of welding salaries and helps readers gain a better understanding of the earning potential in this field.
The Average Welder Salary
The salary of a welder can vary depending on several factors, such as location, industry, and experience. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, the median salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $44,190 per year or $21.23 per hour. However, this figure ranged from $31,210 for the lowest 10 percent of earners to $65,590 for the highest 10 percent.
Additionally, the type of work and location can significantly affect a welder’s salary. For instance, in 2021, the average hourly wage for welders in Alaska was $29.59 per hour, while in Mississippi, it was just $15.58 per hour. Work setting also impacts earnings, with welding workers in building equipment contracting earning an average of $51,020 annually, while those employed in motor vehicle parts manufacturing earning $41,300 annually.
While formal education programs and welding apprenticeships can be great starting points for welders, on-the-job training can also impact earnings. Employers offer benefits such as bonuses, access to tools and equipment, and competitive wages to skilled welders with years of experience in the field.
Factors that Affect Welder Income
Several factors can influence a welder’s earning potential, such as specific skills and certifications, demand for welding services, and competition. For example, welders with certifications and licenses in specific areas like structural welding and pipefitting tend to earn higher salaries than those without. Additionally, welders in high-demand sectors like shipbuilding, energy infrastructure, and aerospace can earn more due to their specialized skill sets.
Strategies for increasing welding income may include expanding skills within the welding sector, networking and building a personal brand, or seeking specialized training or certification. A welder who has experience working in fields that require specific knowledge and skills can often leverage that experience to negotiate higher wages.
High Paying Welding Jobs
Welding involves a diverse range of applications across various industries, and some of these specific fields have high-paying jobs. For instance, underwater welding jobs can pay extremely well, with advanced training and certification in the field starting at around $100,000 annually. Similarly, robotics welding jobs, which involve the operation of automated welding systems, are also high-paying, with median wages of up to $72,000 per year. Conversely, welding engineering, which combines both mechanics and engineering and is typically machine-based, pays a median salary of $116,280 annually.
Welding Salaries Compared to Other Trades
Welding salaries tend to be on par with or slightly higher than the median salaries of other skilled trades such as plumbing and carpentry. According to the BLS, as of May 2020, the median annual salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $55,160. The median annual salary for electricians, meanwhile, was $56,900. Welding requires similar technical training and skill sets, but the specific demands of the job and the specific industry it is used in can also impact earning potential.
Welders with additional certifications and skills in other related trades can also earn more than their counterparts with only welding experience. For example, a welder with carpentry skills could earn more by working on welding and framing projects. Similarly, a welder with plumbing knowledge could do welding work in the plumbing industry, which tends to pay more than general industrial welding jobs.
The Success Story of a Welder
Jake grew up fascinated with welding and knew from an early age that he wanted to make a career of it. He attended a vocational school and later earned an associate degree in welding technology. But it wasn’t until he began working in the field that he started to realize his earning potential. Jake advises others to “never stop learning.” He says that continuing education and certifications opened up many doors for him.
Stories from Welders Across Different Industries
Tom works as a welder in the marine industry and explains how his daily work involves welding and fitting pipes and designing structures and support systems at sea. When he started, Tom had no idea how much he would earn. But over the years, he has developed the necessary skills and knowledge to advance in his career and earn more money. He advises incoming welders to network and to be sure they choose the right industry for them.
Similarly, Carla shifted from a construction job to welding, as she wanted a more stable career and better income. She trained at a local school and began working as a welder at a shipyard. Despite dealing with competition, Carla knew she had to keep up with the industry’s changes and technologies to stay on top. Nowadays, she is a supervisor, and her steel curves and welds are the building blocks of ships.
Conclusion
Welding is a versatile and essential occupation that provides a promising career path with various avenues for advancement. This article has provided a comprehensive guide to welding salaries and income factors that impact the earnings of welders. Aspiring welders should continue to learn through certification, networking, and apprenticeships to increase their skills and earning potential, taking advantage of opportunities to work in high-demand industries and specialized fields.
