Trying to find a career path that works for you can be challenging. You have to pick something you are interested in and provides you with a sense of purpose and mission; at the same time, you need to earn enough money without sucking the life out of you. As you are exploring options, you may find yourself wondering if welding is a good career.
As a welder, you can work on everything from cars and trucks to buildings and bridges. Read on to learn more about welding careers and the perks of being a certified welder.
One of the biggest benefits of becoming a welder is that it does not require a college degree. College is not for everyone, but there is a perception among many higher-paying jobs that without a college degree, you are not employable. This is not the case for welding, and it offers a great option for anyone who does not want to go to college – for whatever reason.
Welding is an overarching career, as there are many different career paths you can pursue within welding. No matter what your area of interest is, you can probably find a welding job that suits you. You do not have to commit to being an active welder for the rest of your life if you choose a welding career.
Aside from active welding, you can pursue a career in inspections or engineering for welding. You could go into education, project management, or sales career paths. You could even specialize in robotics and work designing and building the machines that automate certain welding tasks. Though some career paths will eventually require additional training, certification or college degrees.
During the time you spend welding, you may have opportunities for travel. Welders are employed all over the world in a wide variety of industries. You can work out in the sea on an oil rig, in a remote area on a pipeline or bridge, or on a ship.
Many cruise lines, as well as naval fleets, need welders to repair ships and their many metal parts. Alaska needs welders to work on their pipelines and the Gulf of Mexico on offshore oil rigs. Shipyards and industrial plants all over the world need welders, so you can ultimately move throughout the country and the world if that suits you.
One of the great benefits of welding (being as versatile as it is) is you get to work with all sorts of interesting people. Almost every industry needs welders, so you can gain exposure to all types of people, trades, and industry. In fact, the U.S. military employs many welders, so you will get to work with the people defending our country every day and support our troops if you take the path of armed forces.
On average, standard welding work will earn you between $30,000 and $40,000 a year. This depends on your experience, specialization, industry, and location. But when you start getting into specialized work in more dangerous areas, that pay can increase. Pipeline welders, underwater welders, and military welders working in battle zones can make far more than average. Additional opportunities for earning come with experience and supervision duties.
For many people, the idea of sitting behind a desk all day, every day, is unbearable. You are stuck under the same fluorescent lights, between the same gray walls, staring at the same computer screen. And aside from the tedium, working an office job can pose a number of health risks.
With a welding career, you will likely spend a decent amount of time being physical – even if you work on a factory line.
As with any career choice, the answer depends on your interests. If getting trained with an in-demand skill in under a year is the right path for you, then welding training may be the way to go. If you like fixing, making and building, then a career as a welder is a good choice. It can be rewarding, stable and adventurous.
If you’d like to get started with your welding career, come see us at the Institute of Medical and Business Careers in Erie, PA. We can help you discover your “spark” and get started in a bright career for a promising future. Learn more about our welding technology diploma and start on a career path that will take you across the world today.
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