Whether you already have welding certifications or are interested in becoming a certified welder, different types of welding careers are available! Welding is more than just joining two pieces of metal together; it encompasses various metal joinery methods to combine multiple metals.
It is an essential part of almost every industry, ranging from agriculture to automotive, defense, manufacturing, construction, and natural gas and oil industries, to name just a few. This article will look at 20 types of welding careers you should consider.
Types of Welding Careers
1. Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain thin sheet metal products. They weld thin sheet metals and similar materials, fasten metal seams, create supportive frameworks, and bolt materials together.
2. M.I.G. Welder
Metal inert gas (M.I.G.) welders measure, cut, and assemble pieces of metal using an electric arc and inert gas. In all functions, M.I.G. welders ensure safe and effective assembly and that each join is strong during and after project completion. They interpret blueprints and specifications accurately and determine correct gas ratios.
3. Master Jeweler
Master jewelers design, fabricate, and repair jewelry metals and stones. They cut and shape soft metals into jewelry pieces, smooth soldered joints with emery paper and hand files.
4. Tool and Die Maker
Tool and die makers analyze specifications, operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make dies. They cut, shape, and trim blocks to specified lengths and shapes and use computer-aided design software to design and develop new tools and dies.
5. Welding Inspector
Welding inspectors ensure that welding-related activities comply with quality and safety criteria. They verify the material is correct and in order and monitor repair work by procedures.
6. Master Plumber
Master plumbers plan preventive maintenance, perform repairs, and maintain the inspection back flow preventer. They support and repair general plumbing components.
7. Shipyard Welder
Shipyard welders work in commercial shipyards, constructing and assembling various ships, including pleasure craft, cargo ships, tugboats, utility vessels, and more. They are often required to refit boats that need maintenance and inspection repairs done to ocean-going ships.
8. Military Welders
Military welders work for every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and are often involved in the repair and upkeep of military vehicles and assets. This can be done at a military facility domestically, at an Army base abroad, or in a conflict zone. Military welders must undergo primary and other training before joining the Armed Forces.
9. Structural Iron and Steel Worker
Structural iron and steel workers lay out and fabricate steel and iron to build structures. They make, weld, and cut structural metal in fabricating shops and tighten cables with jacking equipment.
10. Pipefitter
Pipefitters oversee and manage pipe system layout, assembly, installation, and maintenance. They weld, solder, or cement joints on pipes and attach pipes to fixtures using welding equipment or clamps.
11. Industrial Boilermaker
Industrial boilermakers make and install extensive container holdings or liquids, such as oil. They weld or bolt pieces together, read blueprints, cast pieces, bend them into the correct shape, and test completed boilers.
12. Fabricator
Fabricators and welders design, cut, and shape metal. They evaluate engineering drawings and perform efficient welding of various metal objects.
13. Auto Body Welder
Auto body welders repair, refinish, and straighten vehicle bodies and frames. They remove damaged parts of vehicles with metal cutting guns and install replacement parts using a welder. They also inspect repaired vehicles to check for dimensional accuracy and perform test drives to check for proper alignment and handling.
14. Oil Rig Welder
Oil rig welders maintain and repair the rig structure. They perform routine repairs, build new metalwork as needed, and ensure welding equipment’s proper use, storage, and maintenance.
15. Construction Welder
As the name suggests, construction welders are essential for modern commercial and industrial buildings. From building bridges to skyscrapers to welding pipes and HVAC ducts, there is a lot of variety in the job of a construction welder, and it’s one of the most essential types of welding careers.
16. Manufacturing Welder
Manufacturing welders work with metal to build new metal components or repair damaged components for various industries, such as the automotive, oil and gas, agricultural, and mining industries.
17. Underwater Welder
Underwater welders have the most complex and dangerous occupation, often working in deep-sea conditions with extremely high water pressure, repairing oil drilling rigs, pipelines, ships, dams, and more. Because of the difficulty and high skill level required for this job, underwater welders typically receive very high hourly rates and salaries.
18. Onboard Ship Maintenance
Many cruise lines and passenger ships have welders who travel as crew members. These welders monitor the vessel and perform any necessary repairs while at sea. It’s a big responsibility but can be an exciting and enjoyable role for those who love to travel and be on the water.
19. Solderer
A solderer melts and applies solder to join metal edges. They use a soldering iron, heat torch, electric-ultrasonic equipment, power grinder, and hand tools to grind, cut, and bend the metals for proper alignment. They may also use chemical solutions, wire brushes, or cleaning compounds to clean the metals before and after soldering. Other duties include repairing misaligned and damaged work assemblies with a soldering iron at the appropriate temperatures.
20. Structural welder
A structural welder assembles steel frameworks for small and large buildings. The role involves working on tall buildings and requires years of welding experience and a keen focus on safety. Other duties include expertly checking gap and angle allowances on buildings and assembling and confirming the state of building components like rafters and beams.
Welders Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.), the median annual salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the United States was $48,940 in May 2023. This information implies that half earned more and half earned less. However, your salary may depend on several factors, such as experience, employer, demand, and living costs in the area.
Regarding job outlook, there are more than 40,000 estimated average annual welding job openings in the United States. The essential skills for the different types of welding careers are similar across industries, so depending on the need, most welders can shift from one sector to another. Job prospects vary based on welders’ skill levels, and job prospects are expected to be suitable for welders trained in the latest technologies.
Education Requirements for Welding Careers
1. Welding Certificate Program: Many community colleges and technical schools offer welding certificate programs that teach welding techniques and provide training. Some programs also offer courses in blueprint reading, welding safety, and welding codes and standards.
2. Certified Welding Inspector (C.W.I.): The American Welding Society (A.W.S.) offers a C.W.I. certification program for welders who want to become inspectors. To become a C.W.I., you have a combination of welding experience and education and pass a written and practical exam.
3. Welder Performance Qualification (W.P.Q.): W.P.Q. is a certification that shows your ability to perform welding tasks to a specific standard. To get a W.P.Q., you pass a welding test through an employer or certified testing facility.
4. Pipe Welding Certification: Many employers require pipe welders to have a certification in pipe welding. To gain certification, you pass a welding test that evaluates your ability to weld pipes to specific standards.
Conclusion
There are a lot of welding careers available for you! Many welders work in different fields, beginning with a position like a construction or industrial welder. After this, they obtain different certifications and expertise to move to more advanced, complex jobs.
No matter your preferences, you’re sure to be able to find a welding job that’s perfect for you while having a fulfilling career that offers generous compensation and job security. All the best!
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