Are you interested in a career that offers creative freedom and good pay? Well, welding might be the perfect option for you! But before diving into it, there are some important things to consider, such as understanding different types of welding, safety precautions, and developing the essential skills needed to succeed.
In this blog post, I will go through everything you need to know to start your journey toward a successful career as a welder. So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and dive into the world of welding!
What is Welding and What Does a Welder Do?
Welding combines two or more metal components to form a permanent bond using intense heat and pressure. Welding is used in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and more.
Some common responsibilities of a welder include the following:
- Preparing and cleaning welding workpieces.
- Selecting the appropriate welding technique and equipment.
- Reading weld symbols
- Setting up and maintaining welding equipment.
- Welding metal components in a variety of positions.
- Inspecting and testing welds to ensure they meet quality standards
- Repairing or restoring metal components as needed
- Maintaining a safe and organized workspace
- Keeping up to date with new welding techniques and technologies
- Following safety procedures and using protective gear (e.g., gloves, masks, goggles)
- Collaborating with other members of a construction or manufacturing team as needed.
How to Become a Welder?
- I have discussed some steps to help you become a professional welder.
- Understanding welding techniques.
- Search for the right training program.
- Get a welding certification.
- Choose a single welding field to get started.
- Gain some experience.
- Building a welding portfolio.
- Make connections.
- Start looking for welding jobs.
1: Understanding Welding Techniques
Learning is the first and most crucial step to becoming a successful welder. You must develop a complete understanding of welding techniques and safety, and starting your first welding project is necessary.
There are many different techniques and processes to choose from, including gas welding, stick welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and more. Once you are familiar with different types of welding positions, machines, and techniques, you can perform the most complicated welding tasks like a pro.
Related: Understand Different Types of Welding Joints.
2: Search for The Right Training Program
If you don’t have any practical experience in welding or haven’t tried any welding machine before, you must look for special training programs to get started. Many reputed institutions teach welding skills along with complete practical training. If you live in the United States, you must join private welding schools.
- Tulsa Welding School.
- Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.
- Lincoln Welding School.
You can also use Google maps to find the nearest welding school for learning. If there isn’t any nearby welding school or program, you should try to learn welding skills from YouTube videos and practice them on any cheap welding machine.
3: Get a Welding Certification
Welding certification is an important step in your career, demonstrating your knowledge and skill to potential employers. Consider obtaining certification in one or more welding techniques to show that you are a skilled and dedicated welder. I have listed some of the popular welding certifications below.
- Certified Welder (CW)
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI)
- Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
- Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR)
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI)
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter (CRI)
- Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
- Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
- Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)
4: Choose a Single Welding Field to Get Started
As we all know, there are different welding procedures, and each has its applications. Before starting your welding career, you should learn basic information about different welding types and choose one field.
MIG Welding: MIG Welding, also known as Metal Inert Gas Welding, is a popular welding process used to weld various types of metals, including stainless steel and aluminum. It’s mainly used for heavy-duty welding jobs where you have to cover a wide area instead of welding small pieces.
Stick Welding: Stick Welding is a widely used welding technique that offers clean and low-cost welds. This particular welding process is used in construction-related jobs or DIY-related projects. Stick welding is a good choice for beginners who want to learn welding from scratch.
TIG Welding: TIG Welding is a very difficult but useful welding process preferred for high-quality, long-lasting welds. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding, or TIG Welding, is the most advanced welding process that involves welding small pieces of metals which are quite challenging to weld.
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5: Gain Some Experience
Experience is a key factor that decides how successful a welder you are. You cannot simply learn and master welding from a book. You have to get yourself involved in welding to gain some experience.
The experience will teach you many basic and advanced level concepts of welding that will help you throughout your career, such as striking an arc, tack, or welding small pieces of metal.
6: Building a Welding Portfolio
As you gain experience, starting a welding portfolio that showcases your skills and abilities is important. This portfolio can include photos of your work, testimonials from satisfied clients, and samples of your welding projects to help you stand out to potential employers and show them that you are a competent and skilled welder.
7 : Make Conntections
Networking with other welders is a great way to learn about job opportunities, get advice on your career, and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends by joining a welding organization or attending welding events to meet other professionals.
8: Start Looking for Welding Jobs
Once you have gained significant welding experience, it’s time to find your first welding job to earn your bread and butter. Remember, don’t forget to create your resume first before hunting for welding jobs because most jobs require a resume to complete the job application.
A good resume should highlight your previous experience, interests, and certifications in the relevant field. The best place to hunt for high-paying welding jobs is the internet. Some authentic recruitment agencies hire qualified professionals; you can search for them on Google or any particular job-finding website.
9: Staying Current with Industry Trends and Developments
The welding industry is constantly evolving, with new techniques and technologies constantly developing. You must stay updated with industry trends and developments to stay competitive in the job market and continually improve your skills.
Try to Attend industry conferences, read trade publications, and take continuing education courses to stay informed.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Professional Welder?
Becoming a welder is a journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for the trade. The amount of time it takes to reach your goal as a welder will depend on various factors, such as welding type, education level and training you receive.
On average, it can take several months to a year or more of intensive education and training to master the skills needed to become a successful welder. But don’t let that discourage you! With determination and a willingness to learn, you can turn your passion for welding into a rewarding career.
Whether you take a traditional education path or jump right into on-the-job training, the journey to becoming a welder is a unique and fulfilling experience that can lead to a successful and fulfilling career.
How Much Do Professional Welders Earn?
Almost every 2nd person interested in welding is always curious to know about the pay scale of a professional welder. If we talk about the United States specifically, a professional welder earns around 40k$+ per year from welding.
If we do some basic calculations with this figure, an average welder earns almost 19-20$ per hour, which is not bad. However, you can earn more over time as it’s just an average. You can also apply for welding jobs in foreign countries to earn more.
Some oil-rich Middle Eastern countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have a striking demand for welders due to ongoing development projects.
FAQ’s
Is understanding math necessary for welding?
Yes, basic math skills are necessary for welding as calculations are needed to determine the correct amount of materials and angles for welding joints.
What amount of time is required to get a welding certification?
The time it takes to get a welding certification varies depending on the certification type, and the level of education and training required. Completing the necessary coursework and training for entry-level certifications can take several weeks to months. More advanced certifications can take up to a year or more of intensive education and training.
Welding is a remarkable opportunity to earn a handsome amount of money for living compared to other jobs. If you choose welding as a career, you should brace yourself for tough challenges and difficulties.
It might take some time to master your field, but we are pretty confident that with proper dedication and equipment, you can become the most successful welder within a few months. As we all know that learning is a unique process that never stops.
Similarly, you should never stop learning new skills and techniques, even if you have already become a professional welder. You can learn new concepts and keep up-to-date with the latest development in your field through the internet or by joining training programs.
More Information to Help You Excel in Your Welding Career
- Why Do Welders Starch Their Clothes?
- How Long Does a Welder’s Flash Burn Last?
- Tig Welding Tips for Beginners
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Dave Walker
Dave Walker is a skilled welder and passionate blogger. With years of experience in welding, he has honed his craft and developed a deep understanding of the trade. In his blog, he shares his experiences, insights, and tips on welding, offering a valuable resource for fellow welders and those interested in the field. He is dedicated to promoting the importance of welding and its applications in various industries.