Welding for a living?

[GilpinGuy]

Anyone on here do it?

I am curious about it. I've read that there is a pretty good demand for welders and I am seriously considering getting out of the sh*tty industry I'm in. Welding has always been something I wanted to get into, but never did. I did some very rudimentary welding years ago, but I wouldn't even claim to know how to do it now. All of the projects I wanted to do....just personal welding skills would be killer.

So if you do it for a living, please give me your thoughts. Some questions I have are:

• Is there really a demand for welders?
• What would a starting wage rage be? (I know there are many different types of welders out there, so this can vary big-time)
• Is some sort of certification required?
• How long is welding school?
• To get steady work, do you almost "have to" be in a union?
• Obviously, welding involves METAL, so are you busting your back all day? (I'm not exactly "young" anymore, but not too old to start something new...IMHO anyway)
• Anything else that can be helpful.

Thanks for any info!

[Colorado Osprey]

I weld daily... but I am not a welder. We are always hiring people who can weld. I am very skeptical of anyone calling themselves a welder in a the fab industry.
I work in a fab and repair... steel, stainless and aluminum

Is there really a demand for welders?
Yes there is a demand for welders. Specifically in the oil shale and oil pipelines. I know people in these fields. Pay and demand is awesome. Conditions and hours are crappy. Most burn out within a year or two and go somewhere else.
Another great demand for welders is in the Gulf. Oil platforms and underwater welding. Platform pay is ok, again conditions are not. Underwater has some of the best pay and good conditions when not working, but is very hazardous.

For your questions directly:
What would a starting wage rage be? (I know there are many different types of welders out there, so this can vary big-time)
Non-certified welding pay could start at minimum wage. Certified welding of Titanium going into space pay is in the six figures.
Average pay for a welder is $17/hr or about $35k a year
Is some sort of certification required?
Yes and no. To weld you don't need to be certified. There is some confusion to certified welding because a certification is also for a job, not a person. Some employers want you have been certified before.
How long is welding school?
Most community colleges offer welding programs. They start with entry level in a semester and have more complex level courses. So, one semester or more.
To get steady work, do you almost "have to" be in a union?
No, good welders can get work.. they are sought after. I'm also NOT saying that only bad welders are in unions. Many a good welders is in a union.
Obviously, welding involves METAL, so are you busting your back all day? (I'm not exactly "young" anymore, but not too old to start something new...IMHO anyway)
Yes, I need two new shoulders and knees.... I have also had my ear drum burned out... and been flash blinded too many times to count.(late night burn)

[cofi]

The welders at Carson working on the same project as me are making 45 an hour

[Graves]

Welding isn't exactly some sort of gift, but it's also not something you can just wake up one day and decide to go make a living off of. Although it isn't a primary description of my job, I've been welding daily for the past decade as well and I consider myself to be just okay at it. I know a couple of welders I would call great and those guys have been at it for a long...long time. And yes...with experience/certs come the money.

[waxthis]

The welders at Carson working on the same project as me are making 45 an hour

Davis–Bacon....Not the norm. But nice just the same...

[Mtn.man]

Been at it for 40 Years.
It's an art if you are good, it's a job if you are not.



TIG'd tank, time consuming, gotta move around to keep from warping.

[Mtn.man]

Then of course you could be HERE,

[Mtn.man]

I thought I would like this but after a few eeks NO.

[Augydoggy]

Been at it for 40 Years.It's an art if you are good, it's a job if you are not.TIG'd tank, time consuming, gotta move around to keep from warping.

SWEET welds! Those sure are pretty.

[Great-Kazoo]

One item to consider. Unless you secure an onsite / indoors job, be prepared to travel, and travel. Up here everyone and their brother, who welds in the patch (oil field) is on the road, out of state, long hours, all weather.
Like construction if the work is there, you're working sun up to sundown, longer as needed. The indoor jobs / factory as i call them have somewhat normal hours, lower pay, still all of them are under the gun to have a job completed on time, if not before.

The money / pay is great as witnessed by all the newer diesel pickemup trucks on the road. You need to see if you're capable of lifting 100lbs (minimum) continually, standing, walking, bending, squatting, for 12 hours. ALL companies will have you perform a physical aptitude test, prior to hiring. As already mentioned the industry while wide open, is geared more to younger folks who still have an 18 hour day in them. 18 hard, long, inclement weather hours.
IF you want to commute and have skill/experience behind you, i have an in at a very large O&G support fab plant.