10 Reasons Why You Should Become a Welder

Welding is a growing field with many opportunities for anyone with the proper training and technical skills. If you like working with your hands and are seeking to either start or change your career direction, there are many reasons why becoming a welder is a worthwhile opportunity. 

Becoming a welder doesn’t require a large amount of time to learn and there are many opportunities to explore in all types of different industries. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a professional welder but aren’t sure if it’s the right job for you, keep reading to find out why you should consider a career in welding. 

This is Part 1 of my Pro/Con becoming a welder analysis. If you are interested in reasons why you SHOULD NOT become a welder, make sure to check out the con list here.

Why Should You Become a Welder?

You should become a welder because welding is a growing industry. There are unlimited opportunities with high earning potentials as a welder. If you have a great eye for detail and are passionate about building and creating things, this may be the right career path for you. 

We will go over some of the top reasons why a career in welding may be a great career to explore and how it may be the right choice for you. 

Is There a Growing Demand for Welding Jobs?

There is a bright future in the welding industry. Because welding is an essential job to keep our economy running, there are countless opportunities in various industries that can lead you to a rewarding career. 

There are plenty of job opportunities in the welding field with estimated job growth of 4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The construction industry is facing fewer craft professionals every year because 29% of the current workforce will retire by 2026. 

Baby boomers are leaving the trade and there is plenty of room for millennials to enter. 

With the shortage of labor coming in the next few years, there is no better time to enter the welding industry. You will never run out of work opportunities if you have a great worth ethic and willingness to learn the trade. 

The fields that will be looking for the most positions to fill are:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Underwater welding
• Manufacturing

Jobs are opening up not only in the United States but also around the world. You can choose your location based on your industry preference and desired weather conditions. 

Is a College Degree Necessary for Welding?

As a general rule, you do not need a college degree to get you started in a career as a welder. Most welding careers follow an apprenticeship model where you can begin working on the job and earning money while acquiring the skills and practice. 

Most welders get their certificates in as little as nine months to start earning a good living. You can start your welding career through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or scholarship opportunities. Most jobs will hire welders based on their skill level and a hands-on welding test. 

Not only will you be saving money on expensive job tuition, but you will be able to start your career in as little as a year or two. Welding training programs cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on where you go. 

If you can find a good program at a great cost, you will be sure to have a job waiting for you at the end and start making a good living. 

Does A Career as a Welder Pay Well?

Since the demand for welders is at an all-time high, this means that many jobs in welding offer great compensation and benefits packages. You also have an endless amount of opportunities to grow and advance. Welders can make decent money right after they are done with their training program. And as their skills increase, so does their wage. This reason alone is worth considering this as a career. 

On average, a welder right out of school can expect to make between $28,000-$84,000 per year. Highly skilled welders who are willing to travel or work in hazardous conditions can earn well over $100,000 per year. 

Here are a few examples of welder salaries:

• Military support welders in the Middle East can begin at $160,000 to more than $200,000 per year.
• Traveling industrial pipe welders can earn from $50,000 to $185,000 per year. 
• Underwater welders can earn between $100,000 to over $200,000 per year. 

Welding salaries vary a lot and it will depend on your skills and where you are willing to travel. 

As you progress in your trade, you will gain more opportunities to climb the ladder and start managing other welders under you. The better you get at your skills as a welder, the more you can earn.  

Do You Have Endless Career Paths to Choose from as a Welder?

Welding is very diverse, and you will have a variety of different industries to choose from. You will have the luxury of choosing what industry and metals you’d like to work with. 

There are many career paths to choose from as a welder, for example:

• Construction and infrastructure
• Engineering
• Pipe fitting and pipelines
• Aerospace
• Underwater welding
• Automotive industry
• Manufacturing – fabrication, production, and robotics. 
• Railroads
• Shipping
• Inspection
• Mining
• Oil & gas
• Power generation

Whether you want to work outside, on a construction site, in the aerospace industry, or maybe even the ocean, you will never get bored or tired with the craft. Repetition is great for success, but you can also become amazing at your job while still experiencing a vast range of different types of work and environments.  

Is it Easy to Start Your Own Welding Business?

The freedom that comes along with owning your business will allow you to pick and choose what you want to do.

A welding business is much easier to start than other types of companies because all you need is your skill and your welding equipment to start your business.  

Not only will you be setting yourself up for success, but you could also give other welders working opportunities. 

Consider starting with welding on the side before you take the leap. Have a look at this video from Weld.com.

You Can Be Part of an Ever-Changing Industry?

For many people, it’s important for them to know that their industry is ever-changing and continually transforming with the times. 

As a whole, the welding industry is full of change and cutting-edge discoveries. From robots to laser beams and other advanced materials, you will be surrounded by new materials and discoveries all the time. For example, laser welding is one of the many recent welding technologies. 

Welding is Interesting and Enjoyable Hands-on Work?

If you are someone who enjoys hands-on projects, welding may be the perfect job for you. One of the great things about working as a welder is that you don’t have to be stuck behind a desk all day. 

As a whole, you will get to work with your hands in a variety of different environments as a welder. From high up in the sky or deep underwater, and all the in-between, welding is interesting and enjoyable work. 

A welding career can lead you in a variety of different directions and diversity keeps your work life fun and interesting. If you enjoy working with your hands, this is the perfect job for you. 

Is Welding a Rewarding Career?

Welding is a challenging career where you won’t get bored easily, as long as you are someone who likes to use both your mind and body in your work.

As a whole, welders get to watch and participate in projects from start to finish. This leaves welders feeling greatly rewarded since they get to see how their skills create magnificent structures. 

Welders can build anything from cars to ships, bridges, and more, by applying heat or pressure to join objects together. Welders play a big role in:

• Construction
• Automobile industry
• Aerospace 

When you work on a project as a welder, you can be sure you are leaving an impact on America, or even the world, for years to come. 

Do You Get to Travel the World as a Welder?

If you love to travel and not have to be stuck in a cubicle, a job in welding is the perfect opportunity for you to change scenery. Welding is great for those who enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in various settings and different locations. 

There is always a high demand for welding jobs around the world since the welding process is similar in most countries and finding a job abroad is easy. 

While the working conditions are often physically demanding, you will be able to experience life in unique settings while still earning an income. 

Some jobs may require you to stay for a little while, but that will allow you to fully experience living in a different country and enjoying its culture. You will also broaden your welding skills as you learn from different people in other countries. There may be welding job opportunities that are not available in the United States. 

You will have endless opportunities and places you can go see and experience as a welder. 

Will You Learn Valuable Skills to Use Outside of Your Job?

There are plenty of skills as a welder that you can apply to your everyday life. Working in a workshop is very rewarding because you get to learn and teach your skills to others. 

As a whole, the skills you will develop as a welder will allow you to be able to do your own private welding projects at home. You can even help out a friend or family member with any of the home projects where they would otherwise have had to hire a very expensive professional. 

As a welder, you will have the skills to do your own work on your house, cars, and property, which can be greatly satisfying. Whatever it is you need to work on, the practical skills will help you make life outside your work easier and more satisfying. 

Is Welding Right for You?

Welding gives you independence, freedom, and satisfaction. Not only do you learn new skills that will allow you to use them in your own private life, but you have the option to move wherever you want. You get to see projects from start to finish, which can be very rewarding and satisfying if you are a creative person. 

As a general rule, if you can work independently and has the willingness to learn, welding may be the right job for you. Welders have great attention to detail and the ability to create and build things. 

You also have the opportunity to easily start your own business and be your own boss. 

A few characteristics and skills a good welder holds are: 

• They are good critical thinkers. Welders are able to solve problems and think on their feet. 
• Welders have excellent vision. They have the ability to see the potential in projects and create a good plan to execute them. 
• They have the right attitude. Welders are able to stay positive and are willing to learn and make the world a better place through their trade. 
• They demonstrate good manual dexterity. Welders have excellent hand-eye coordination and physical strength. 

No matter which path you take as a welder, as long as you have the ability to embrace challenges and commit to improving your trade, you will have all the resources and skills you need to excel in your career. 

There are many opportunities to increase your education and gain work experience.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who is independent, creative and likes new and unique tasks and experiences, welding may be an excellent option for a career to go into. 

Welding is a unique job that will provide you with excitement, endless job opportunities, and the ability to significantly affect your community, country, or even the world. 

Welding jobs aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. It is a great long-term career path that will ensure you have a great career for many years to come. The potential to one day be your own boss is also a plus. 

You can start your career path as a welder as soon as possible and start earning the skills to make a great living. 

This is Part 1 of my Pro/Con becoming a welder analysis. If you interested in reasons why you SHOULD NOT become a welder, make sure to check out the con list here.

Sources

6 Reasons You Should Become a Welder | BYF & NCCER (byf.org)

10 Reasons Why Welding is a Great Career Choice | Water Welders (waterwelders.com)

7 Reasons Why Become a Welder | ncstrades.edu

Five Reasons to Consider a Career in Welding | advanced.edu

4 Reasons to Choose a Career in Welding | All-State Career (allstatecareer.edu)

Reasons to Go to Welding School | weldinglist.com

7 Incredible Facts About a Career in Welding | GoWelding.org

What Will Happen When the Baby Boomers Retire? | BYF & NCCER (discover.byf.org)

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

Average Entry-Level Welder Hourly Pay | payscale.com

Six Industries Where Welding Is Used | weldinginsider.com