What Is a Full-Time Welder’s Average Pay?
Welders have a history of making good money. They are paid according to their experience and the type of welding they do. After researching about which type of welders make the most money, I finally concluded.
So, how much does a welder make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make a median annual salary of $41,380. The 10th percentile makes less than $27,760, while the 90th percentile makes more than $64,870. So there is quite a bit of variation in what welders make.
With many different types of welders, it is hard to pinpoint how much each type of welder makes. The information included in this article aims to provide a good idea of how much welders make based on their job description.
Average Welder Salary In the United States
First off, how much money does a welder make per year? Welders can range from $7.00 to as high as $70 an hour depending on the type of welding they do and how experienced they are.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 electricians made an average of $39,560 per year. However, if you are a welder who works for themselves this number can be much higher. Fabricators and machine operators were paid on average between $24.40-28.40 an hour by employers, while welders working for themselves averaged $35/hr according to Indeed.
To get an idea of how much money welders make take a look at how much money the ten most popular welding jobs make:
Boilermaker
The median salary here is around $54,000 per year or $27.00 per hour. A boilermaker is someone who welds and fabricates metal plates and tubes to form a boiler. This can be a dangerous job so it is important to have the proper training and certification.
Pipe Welder
They take home between $32,000-$44,000 per year or $15.00-$21.00 an hour. This job requires that you have experience working with metals and how to weld them. A pipe welder often has to work around chemicals which can be dangerous.
Structural Steel Welder
The average here is around $41,000 per year or $20.00 per hour. Structural welders work to build and install iron or steel girders, columns, braces for bridges among other structures. They may also repair old infrastructure by cutting the metal in fabricating shops with their welding equipment.
Ironworker
They make about $45,000 a year or $22.00 an hour. An ironworker’s job is to install and repair metal structures. This includes welding, punching, and bending the metal.
Shipbuilder Welder
These welders make about $47,000 per year or $23.00 an hour. Shipbuilder welders have a more unique job because they weld large metal pieces to form ships. They often work in the shipyards building these types of vessels, but they can also work onboard the ships as well.
Aircraft Welder
This job has a median salary of $55,000 and Welders can earn up to $70/hr. An aircraft welder has to weld metal together to form the frame of an aircraft. They must be able to weld different types of metals and read blueprints. Much of their job description includes welding aluminum, titanium, and other non-ferrous metals.
Automobile Body Repairman & Welder
With a median salary of over $37,000 a year and the potential to make nearly $50/hr. Automobile repairmen are responsible for repairing cars and their bodywork. They often work on everything from fenders to seats, making their job description vary greatly.
TIG Welder
They make on average $22.00 per hour. A TIG (standing for tungsten inert gas) welder uses electricity to weld metals like steel, stainless, aluminum, and sometimes even iron. TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode as an electrical contact to heat the metal by sending an electric current through it. This style of welding is often used for high-quality welds.
MIG Welder
These welders make about $19.00 per hour. A MIG (standing for metal inert gas) welder uses a wire electrode to weld metals. It is one of the most popular welding types because it can be used on a variety of metals. MIG welders use an arc between the electrode and the metal to create heat, which causes the metal to melt and join together.
Stick Welder
With a median pay of around $18.00 an hour, welders in this category make a comfortable living. A stick welder uses metal rods to weld together metals. They often work outside in construction with large metal objects, but in some cases, they may also be used in manufacturing or fabrication shops.
Depending on how much experience you have will depend on how much money you make as a welder. If you are just starting it is best to check how many welders make in your area.
What Is the Highest Paying Welding Job?
The highest paying welding job is an aircraft welder. Welders are in high demand and their skills are always needed. They have to have a certification to weld and be able to weld different types of metals. Aircraft welders work on large aircraft like the Boeing Dreamliner, and Airbus A350. They weld different parts of the plane and make sure that the planes are safe for flight.
Is Welding a Good Career to Go Into?
Welding is a good career to go into if you are looking for a stable and well-paying job. Welders earn an average of $39,000 per year, and the job market is expected to grow by 6 percent in the next decade. Welding is also a relatively safe career, with an annual fatality rate of just 1.6 per 100,000 workers.
If you are thinking about becoming a welder, there are a few things you should know. welders must be able to work accurately and efficiently under pressure, and they must be able to read and interpret welding diagrams.
They must also be able to lift heavy objects and work in uncomfortable positions. welders must wear welding helmets to protect their eyes from welding sparks.
You should also know that welding has the potential to be the best career choice you could make, but welding will not be easy. You will have to work hard in school to keep up with your welding classes, and you will have to complete an internship at a welding shop to get any job offers when you graduate.
Welders are always learning new skills to stay on top of the latest welding techniques. Welding is also becoming more versatile for students who are interested in pursuing welding as a second career.
Is It Hard to Become a Welder?
Welders are in high demand, making them a lucrative and interesting career choice. However, welding is not an easy trade to learn. It takes many hours of practice and skilled instruction to become a proficient welder.
Welders must be able to control their heat and welding equipment, as well as have a firm understanding of welding safety procedures.
Going to school for welding can also be expensive. However, welding is a highly respected trade and those who are successful in the field can often find themselves with long-term, stable careers. If you have the dedication and drive to become a welder, it is possible – but it won’t be easy.
Due to the high skill level required, it can be hard to become a welder. But for those who are willing to put in the time and effort, the rewards can be great.
How Many Hours a Day Do Welders Work?
Welders work an average of 8 hours per day. However, overtime is often required, and many welders work 10 or more hours per day.
This demanding job can be physically and mentally taxing, so welders must take breaks and stay healthy. Welding is a skilled trade that requires practice and experience to do well. That’s why welders are paid well – they have a valuable skill that’s in high demand.
Can Welders Go Blind?
Are welders truly at risk of going blind? Welding creates UV light which can be harmful to the eyes. The most common side effect of welding is eye strain, but it also has some more serious long-term effects including cataracts and macular degeneration.
Over time, welders may go blind if they don’t wear proper protective eyewear when on the job. All welders should be fitted with a full face mask with appropriate side protection to ensure that their vision is protected while working on dangerous job sites.
Determining whether welders go blind depends on their rate of exposure to dangerous UV light and if they follow established safety protocols given by their employer or other welders who have been around longer than them.
Welders should make sure they work in a well-lit environment with the overhead lights turned off so that they focus on where the weld is being applied instead of losing concentration to bright lights above them.
Conclusion
Welders have a plethora of job opportunities to choose from and can often find work in their area of expertise with little trouble. With the right skill set and certification, welders can make a very comfortable living. So if you’re looking for a stable career with good pay, welding may just be the trade for you!
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