Careers in construction: Welding
RockRoadRecycle is going to take several opportunities throughout the month of November to highlight various career fields that fall under the umbrella of the construction industry, ahead of a national apprenticeship calendar focus at the end of the month.
Welding is an important skill to have in fabrication, machining and construction. While certainly not the most lucrative of the construction trades, it can provide very stable employment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics outlines some fast facts about “welders, cutters, solderers and brazers” via their Occupational Outlook Handbook.
As of 2024, the median pay was $51,000 annually, with a median hourly rate of $24.52. Typical entry-level requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. “Moderate-term on-the-job training” will be involved. Job growth is slower than the projections for other fields – projected at just 2% from 2024-2034. However:
“Despite limited employment growth, about 45,600 openings for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
The level of on-the-job training will vary depending on employer, what’s required in your state, etc.
These workers “use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations or seams of fabricated metal products” (apprenticeship.gov). Welding is a registered occupation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, meaning it is eligible and supported for dedicated apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship.gov contains several examples of “occupation titles” and their corresponding Work Process Schedules (WPS) here – which “provide employers with an approved set of work activities and educational coursework to help you get started creating your program.”
There are resources on the state and federal levels when seeking out an apprenticeship. For instance, here’s some resources from the New York State Department of Labor for seeking out an apprenticeship. (RRR’s offices are located in NYS.)
One can also seek out classroom instruction via technical schools, community colleges and vo-tech high school programs. For NYS residents, the SUNY school system is a great resource. Check out this page and some SUNY welding-related programs offered throughout the state.
Visit the American Welding Society (AWS) here to read some additional information and take their assessment quiz to find out if this field might be right for you.
By Andy Haman
