Facts & Figures
SECURITY: Automation is less of a threat to welders and welding machine operators than to other manufacturing occupations. Welding machines must still be operated by someone who is knowledgeable about welding and can inspect the weld and make adjustments.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
ADVANCEMENT: Welders can advance to more skilled welding jobs with additional training and experience. For example, they may become welding technicians, supervisors, inspectors, or instructors. Some experienced welders open their own repair shops.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
OUTLOOK: Welding schools report that graduates have little difficulty finding work, and some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
FINANCIAL GOALS: The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels. Income in welding directly relates to your level of skill and training. In 2006, welders earned on average between $17.75 and $25.44 per hour.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
EMPLOYMENT: Welders have excellent job opportunities as some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
SECURITY: Welding skills are the same across industries, so welders can easily shift from one industry to another depending on where they are needed most. For example, welders laid off in the auto industry have been able to find work in the booming oil and gas industry.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
OUTLOOK: Employment of welding, soldering, and brazing workers is expected to grow about 5 percent over the 2006-16 decade.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
EMPLOYMENT: Welding has grown significantly over the long term because of advances that have allowed it to replace other joining technologies in many applications. Thus, demand for welders is increasing in the construction, manufacturing, and utilities industries.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
OUTLOOK: The outlook for welders in manufacturing is far stronger than for other occupations.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
EMPLOYMENT: Two of every three welding jobs were found in manufacturing. Jobs were concentrated in fabricated metal product manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, and construction.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
SECURITY: In custom applications, much of the work is difficult or impossible to automate. This includes manufacturing small batches of items, construction work, and making repairs in factories.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
OUTLOOK: Retirements and job growth in the oil and gas and other industries are expected to create excellent opportunities for welders.
~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics
