If you are wondering how much does a welder make per year, you are not alone. In fact, there are several factors that will determine your earnings potential as a welder. To help you determine how much to earn, we’ve provided an overview of average earnings, expected future earnings, and education requirements to get a welding job.
Average annual salary of welders in 2013
The average annual salary of welders varies widely across states. For example, in Nevada, welders make $45,000 a year, or $17 an hour. In contrast, the bottom 10 percent of welders earn only $28,000, while the top 10 percent earn more than $72,000. The highest average annual salary is found in Alaska, where welders earn $71,570 a year. The state’s large welding industry is booming, and welders in Alaska are well paid.
Wages are rising, but not at the same rate as the shortage of skilled workers. As a result, welders need to consider other factors in addition to wages when making their career decision. The minimum wage in major metropolitan areas is now $15 an hour. This has forced fabrication shops to increase wages to attract entry-level workers.
Wyoming, North Dakota, and Washington all paid more than the national average for entry-level welders. In fact, these three states increased their pay relative to the national average in 2008. While Idaho ranks last in pay, the state’s welding wage growth has recently recovered. That means welders in Idaho may be interested in relocating to higher paying regions.
In Canada, welders may earn as much as C$85,000 a year on the upper end of the scale. In the UK, welders can expect to earn around thirty-eight pounds a year. In Switzerland, welders earn as much as CHF 115,000. In Norway, welders are often paid by the day.
Wages are determined by the level of skill required in a specific position. High-skilled workers are generally paid more than their lower-skilled counterparts. According to the Occupational Employment Statistics program, the average annual wage for welders varies by state.
The Pacific Northwest and Mountain West region have the highest employment rates of welders, but Idaho and Washington saw declines in their employment levels. For example, Oregon had a lower number of welders than in 1998. The numbers in Montana, Idaho, and Washington, however, were higher. North Dakota, meanwhile, continued to grow and added 480 welders last year.
The average annual salary of welders varies greatly by region and specialization. Starting salaries can start at about $15 an hour, though many jobs pay more. As welders gain experience and become more skilled, they can earn up to $18 an hour. Welders can expect to earn between $43,000 and $68,000 a year.
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Future earnings of welders
The future earnings of welders depend on several factors. The type of welding and location of employment will determine the salary. Traveling welders earn more than those who stay in one place. Also, the location of the job may affect the welder’s safety. Therefore, a job with higher risk will require higher pay.
Moreover, welding jobs are usually hazardous and require welders to leave their families for long periods of time. Traveling welders may be required to work in remote areas, such as Alaska. These jobs pay more than those in more populated areas. Underwater welding is also a high-paying option.
Future earnings of welders should be bright, thanks to the growth of the welding industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be over 450,000 new welders needed in the coming decade. This growth rate is expected to continue for another decade. Furthermore, welders’ skills are transferable to many different industries.
Future earnings of welders are very promising, as the demand for housing is on the rise. However, most welders cannot save for retirement, as their salaries are low. However, they can save time by working from home. Besides, welders can spend more time with their families.
Apart from having excellent welding skills, welding jobs also require great interpersonal skills. This is important because welders are responsible for making clients satisfied. They must be friendly, outgoing, and client-oriented. If you are a good welder, you can even start your own small welding business.
If you’re a veteran of the military, you can avail of many benefits, including tuition assistance and credentialing programs. These benefits can easily exceed three hundred dollars a year for an experienced welder. For veterans, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers education benefits that may be transferable to their families.
While welders are not good earners, they will continue to do a variety of things for many decades. However, they won’t have many opportunities to advance in their career, unlike accountants, lawyers, or auditors. However, the upside to welders is that they don’t require a college degree. In fact, welders can start their apprenticeship after high school and start earning money.
Locations of lucrative welding jobs
The highest-paying welding jobs are often located in large cities with large manufacturing industries. While welding positions in smaller towns are available, they are often lower paying and require more travel. However, these positions allow workers to develop different skills and learn more about different welding jobs. For this reason, it is important to consider the location where you are looking for a job, and consider whether it is located in a large city or a small town.
The Aerospace industry is one of the most lucrative places for welding jobs. Aside from aircraft manufacturing, light and heavy railway equipment, maritime vessels, and infrastructure industries all require welders. Additionally, you can learn to use computer-aided drawing programs and robotics to improve your job prospects.
Another highly lucrative welding job is underwater welding. This type of job requires specialized training and experience. Underwater welders must be certified commercial divers, be able to understand decompression chambers, and have experience diving in deep water. The job also requires an advanced understanding of barometric pressure. Aside from welding, underwater welders may need to have underwater photography skills in order to evaluate the submerged equipment and pipes. As a result, this job can be very rewarding and can lead to international travel.
The fabricating industry is another source of lucrative welding jobs. Welders are vital to the construction industry, and the construction industry often needs hundreds of welders at a time. Large construction projects often require large amounts of metal, and welders can work on dozens of projects at once. Even if you’re afraid of heights, there are other positions you can find in the construction industry that don’t require scaffolding.
Although the basic wage of a welder isn’t astronomical, it can be decent. You can make between thirty and sixty thousand dollars per year, depending on the level of experience you have. However, it isn’t enough to buy a second home or stack away protective gear. After all, not everyone has dreams of becoming rich. However, there are several locations where you can earn up to six figures as a welder.
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Education required to become a welder
As a welder, you need to be physically fit. You will be standing for long hours and must avoid fatigue, which will negatively affect the quality of your work. You will also need good communication and teamwork skills. You should be able to take direction and lead others, while adapting to changes.
In order to become a welder, you should have a high school diploma or GED. Some high schools offer welding courses, which will prepare you for the various types of welding. You will also need a basic understanding of mathematics, as welding often requires measurement. If you don’t have a background in mathematics, consider taking math courses before enrolling in a welding program.
In addition to learning welding techniques, you must learn about different metals and how to work with them. Welders also need good hand-eye coordination, as they will be bending, lifting, and squeezing metals. The job can be physically demanding, and you may be required to work in all types of weather. In addition, welding is an extremely dangerous occupation.
Those who want to pursue a career in welding should have a passion for building things. They need to know the types of welding, and how they are used by potential employers. The two most popular welding processes are gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and metal inert gas (MIG) welding. MIG welding is often used for fabricating metal joints. MIG welding is also used in automobiles and ship-building.
If you are interested in welding, you can start your training in a community college or technical school. Some of these schools offer welding programs, but you may have to take general classes and non-welding classes as well. Community colleges usually offer two-year programs, and students can get certified by taking the AWS certification test. However, it can take a long time to get certified. However, once you have your certification, you can begin working as a welder.
You can also earn welding certifications through different organizations. For example, Delta Technical College certifies students in various welding techniques. Other employers might also have internal welding certification programs. You may also want to try welding certifications from the American Welding Society or the American Petroleum Institute. These certifications can boost your job prospects. The application process and testing for welding certification can take several months.