My buddy is a union welder. He works off and on. He gets jobs, then gets laid off and collects unemployment. It is more like a job placement service than a union. They trained him though and paid him to learn. My friend is a nuclear safety inspector. He is trying to convince my welder friend to get the clearance/certs for nuke plant welding. There are going to be more plants built and the money is good. That being said it is a tough gig. You'll be working your butt off for a long time but if you enjoy it then go for it. I want to say "get a degree" but honestly college isn't for everyone or for every field, nor can someone really stick to a single job specialty anymore. I ran printing presses for a long time before landing a job writing about cars. Learn how to weld but don't stop there and be prepared to change career paths several times.
I am not passing a judgment on anything here, just stating what actually happened. The group of guys I work with to pick up contract welding jobs for extra money was replaced on a job as soon as the project segment ended, by a crew from Guatemala. Their welding is excellent and passes all tests. Their pay is 1/8 of what ours was. This was two years ago. We have not had any work together since.
Just don't be fooled, not everybody that welds is a weldor. I know there's going to be a lot of guys ask what's the difference? There's alot more to welding than just being able to strike an arc. Unfortunately there's very few non weldors that know the difference either, those are usually the ones doing the hiring. As to whether or not it's a good trade to get into? I'd say not at this time. In the future, when the old timers retire? Who'll do the job shop welding then? Kids now don't want to weld for a living, and I don't blame them. I've been in this trade for more than 32 years. I'm currently just doing work out of my shop. There aren't many welding jobs in this area, and the few that do come up want multiple skills, and the paperwork to prove you have those skills. Not that a paper-trail proves you can do what they say. It does get you in the door. Myself, I've certified in MIG, TIG and stick over the years. However as I've aged, my allergies have become worse, more broad ranging. Stuff that used to just be an irritant I'm now allergic to! Cigarrets are a prime example, used to be able to tolerate them. Now if I'm around them for any length of time it's like I've been poisoned. The more time I'm exposed the more it effects me, to the point of loosing my ability to read/translate blueprints into layout without making mistakes. Math also becomes more difficult to do. As long as I'm not around them I can do everything I need to regarding math/blueprints. They also effect my memory, CRS! Well, the CRS is still there to some degree, but I guess that's just age ... What was I talking about?! Dan Stevens dba, Steelsmith
I do Industrial welding and fabrication (over head cranes mostly) and work with some HEAVY material. I spend only about 30% of my day behind the helmet and everyday i walk out with black boogers, tired eyes and a sore throat. I couldnt imagine being a production weldor. Its the math and the creative factors that let me enjoy my work. Welding, at least in our field of expertise, will make you a decent wage. But anyone who denies any cons, especially the health problems involved, is ignorant. There is nothing more frustrating then being financially tied down to a job that will slowly kill you.
Unkl Ian is right. I run a company of welders and CNC machinists. I would recommend machining over welding, but I would recommend Inspector over both of them. Welding and machining is being sourced overseas. Still needs to be inspected when it gets here (because their quality still sucks!!). Otherwise find some thing that can't be sourced in China like HVAC or plumber or electrician.
That eliminates all but grave digger. My oldest son graduated HS last year and enrolled in JC. His first semester was auto shop, but I've tried to discourage him from going into dealer automotive as I did it for 15 years in Parts and Service and like many have said here about welding..... it's hot or cold and sucks. He sees me building rods and wants wants to do it, but needs skills. Long term he needs to know automotive AND welding to build and fabricate. I guess the bottom line is..... in this economy, NO jobs pay well, are secure, and have a future.
Man, there are some bitter motherfuckers on this thread! And about welding- on a hot rod forum? hahahahahahaaaa! Fun-NAY! In my misspent youth I was a pipe welder and fitter in the oil patch. I did it because I liked it. I still work in the oil patch because I like it. The day I stop enjoying my job is the day I stop showing up. Here's some thoughts, both specific to welding and general thoughts on working for a living- Show up on time, whatever you do. Pipe welding is easy. Structural is hard. Junk iron is hard to do well. Tank welding is easy. Vessel welding is easy. Boiler welding is about in the middle. Factory work isn't welding, it's factory work. If you get hired and test in the 6G position that's great. If you get hired in and test in the 6G position and can successfully weld junk iron without being a crybaby too, that's even better. Learn how to gas weld first. It will make you a better welder. You can also get sidework repairing and modifying tube and fabric airplanes. Learn how to read prints, both P&IDs and Structural. You can be a shit welder and the good welders will work for you. Learn how to fit pipe and iron. When shit gets tight, all those Prima Donnas that have been telling you how badass of a welder they are will be at home on the porch licking their nuts on unemployment, telling themselves and anyone who will listen, how badass of a welder they are. You will still be working. There's nothing more miserable and wretched in this world than a man who hates his job and thinks he has to do it. That it pays the best on about every jobsite helps, but money isn't everything. It helps to not a dick at work. Don't be afraid to pick up heavy shit- it goes a long way. Don't be a retard that falls or drops shit and gets hurt or hurts coworkers. Never be the first one in for break or the last one out from break. Learn to read and write above a 6th grade level, even if all you do for the rest of your life is stare at the pretty light. Get your CWI (welding inspector). Even if you don't use it, it will make you a better welder and more employable. Learn how to operate loaders and forklifts- welder/loader operator on a drilling rig makes really good money. As for the health risks- people smoke and drink and eat cheesy-poofs, too. Afraid of being a welder? Fine- drive a truck then. And get in a wreck and die. Or work in a warehouse. And get mashed flatter than a duck's foot by a forklift. Or work in a factory. And get fucked up by big machines. If you work in a shop that doesn't have fresh air for confined space work or doesn't provide adequate ventilation including smoke eaters, you're working in a shop that doesn't give a fuck about anyone there, not just the welders. Try it if you like it- if you like it, keep doing it. Also- like any successful career, continue your education.
wow, 5 pages of responses from both side of the isle. Here is a little bit different suggestion. The Job Corp trains you for free, gives you room and board, pays a stipend, and helps you find a job when you finish. ...several career options to pick and choose from; able body seaman, welding, carpentry, electrical, painting, plastering and many more. I also suggest the Military. Many on here will scowl, but 11 of the best years of my life were in a 'pickle suit' and Uncle Sam help provide for my engineering degrees. Yes, in the old days, just like today, some of us got shot at on a regulr basis. But for every guy carrying a weapon there are 20-30 guys doing a thousand other jobs. heavy equipment repair, heavy construction, avionics, fire departments, police departments, and on and on and on..... Sua Sponte
I have to jump on the Millitary band wagon When i graduated from high school no clue as what to do next The Marine Corps gave me a chance to plow a few feilds and carry a gun while i grew up some and figured out the next move. metal fabricator for the Marines and have spent the last 12 in the hot rod industry the pay is by far not great but i enjoy my feild of work, and it never seams to mater on how much some one earns there is always some one else who makes more etc be happy with what you got. Rex
Not to brag but i can weld anything anywhere i own a 600 lincoln pipeline with a 6 cyl hercules. But It is something that there isnt enough money for me to sell my time eyes and lungs to somebody else. I weld my own stuff nothing for anybody else. Since im nearing 60 i now drive truck its warm in winter air cond in summer. Dont make much at my present job but im off a lot and my time is worth more to me than money. i just dont care to be over the road and gone anymore. I worked construction operated equiptment and should have went to the truck 40 years ago. WalMart will be the last buisness standing they need lots of drivers. With a CDl you can find a job even in this crappy economy. For me it is a fun job. Most Welders are blind and asmatic by the time there 35 OldWolf
Man, I can't believe some of the crap I've read on this thread. I think Hansonjinkle was right on target. I make my living as a weldor. I am self employed and have been doing my welding shop for 15 years now. I am not getting rich, but that was never the intension in the first place. I'm sure I could make more money (probably a lot more) if I wanted to do certain things, like portable welding. I've found out years ago that there is more to life then just making money. If your really set on welding, you won't be happy doing anything else. Not many just out of high school know what they want to do, explore all your options. Things I've learned ove the years: When you take a job, you are renting your life out for the given wage for the given time or job. Work hard, give a good days work for a days pay. My dad told me years ago that if you can't make a living in 40 hours, your spending too much money. Basically he was right. Your family is more important then a job, keep perspective, the job is to provide for the family. If you don't like what your doing for 50% of the time, do something else. Go to work everyday your suppose to be there. Starting time is when you start to work, be there early enough to be prepaired to begin working at starting time. Quiting time is when you stop working. Never quit learning. No job is great all the time, sometimes even the best job sucks. Don't be a crybaby. No one wants to hear you pout. Your day (week or year) will turn out as you expect it to. Might as well expect it to be good. Nothing is as good or as bad as it seems. Change is inevitable, learn to accept it. Every job has its own set of health hazzards. Learn what they are and how to miminize the effects. In this day and age, most people that devolope job related health issues simply did not take the extra precautions to prevent them. You are ultimately responsible for your health, not your employer or the goverment. You get paid more money in exchange for something you must give up. Decide the things that are most important to you. You will not win all the battles your involved in through your life, infact, you won't win most of them. Fight real hard for the battles that are important to you and leave the rest go. The fast and easy way are usually not the best way. Whatever you do, do it to the very best of your ability. Strive to work harder then everybody else. Gene
It's past 2am. There's snow on the ground. I'm gonna log off, go hop in the ride and do some donuts... I've had a lot of different jobs and it looks like I'll have a few more. My dad has been in a career that's new to him in the last four years. He's 60. Keep your marketable skill-set diverse and continue to educate yourself YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. And then, do what you want to do when your responsibilities are well taken care of.
Yea, off topic a little, but it's cold outside so I was reading the thread again a couple of people have chimed in saying that I am not a welder. Just in case you care....... Also, for someone don't know of the hazards, some of the health issues are pointed out in the reference paragraph. Finally, some one that knows the difference. Thank you,Elevator Constructor...[/QUOTE] A difference? Yes in the spelling; Weldor. Welder. I am a welder. It would also be proper to call myself a weldor but only if the text required a distinction. I have a Harbor Freight wire-feed welder. For you boys that care about proper use of th' e'nglis', read the following passage from one reliable source which points out that words usually have more than one meaning, not necessarily ONLY one meaning. 1) The portion of the sentence in brackets, there and here, (also weldor, which term distinguishes the tradesman from the equipment used to make welds), explains it quite clearly. I have separated it from the text, item 2) below. You will note that the explanation is (in brackets). In this case the author of the passage put it in brackets for the purpose of pointing out a distinction. If it were not a distinction he would have simply pointed out two different DEFINITIONS. The inserted explanation in brackets DISTINGUISHES, but does not DIFFERENTIATE that only the equipment is a welder and the person performing it is a weldor. The sentence following also makes it clear that it is proper to define a person that operates the equipment as a welder, ......"which requires dexterity"....... It points out that is is sometimes proper to DISTINGUISH the two terms. You will note that (inside) the brackets, the preposition "also" precedes the word weldor. The word 'distinguishes', does not imply an absolute. The intent for this is to provide clarity when the words welder and weldor are to be used in the same sentence or definitive paragraph to distinguish the difference between the operator and the equipment. The differentiation is obvious, without doubt..... Here it is in context. 2) A welder (also weldor, which term distinguishes the tradesman from the equipment used to make welds) is a tradesman who specialises in welding materials together. The materials to be joined can be metals (such as steel, aluminum, brass, stainless etc.) or varieties of plastic or polymer. Welders typically have to have good dexterity and attention to detail, as well as some technical knowledge about the materials being joined and best practices in the field Welders are also often exposed to dangerous gases and particulate matter. Processes like flux-cored arc welding and shielded metal arc welding produce smoke containing particles of various types of oxides, which in some cases can lead to medical conditions like metal fume fever. The size of the particles in question tends to influence the toxisity of the fumes, with smaller particles presenting a greater danger. (etc, etc, etc. ) Thats from the Wilkipedia, a relatively modern dissertation. 　 Back to my own words; Long, long ago, a smithy took the hot iron from the forge, wielded a hammer and wrought two pieces together, welding them. The smithy was the welder. In the times to follow, with 'fusion' welding, OA or Electricity was used for the process and the fill rod was added simultaneously, the man was still the welder, the equipment was differentiated by calling it a welding machine or welding equipment. In small versions of dictionaries, welder was a word. weldor was not a word. In more detailed dictionaries, welder is a word, weldor is a derivative. Even today, more people call the guy that does the welding the welder. Even Bill Gates; In my MICROSOFT WORKS WORD PROCESSOR, entering weldor will prompt me that I have made a spelling error. I am a welder. My mother wasn't a welder. My wife and musical grandson arent having any wishes to be welders. I can recommend a welder, my mentor, Mr. Burl Young. If you called him a weldor he would laugh and say ..or what? It's warming up outside, 18 degrees F. I think I'll digress and take Nash hot rod for a run to the beer store.........
Like 50dodge4x4 I am also a small welding shop owner. And like you in high school I took welding class and loved it that was 33 years ago. I have always made a good living doing what I like. My only advice would be to diversify yourself learn how to run as much of the shop equipment as you can. Also learn lay out and fabrication skills it will make you a more valueable employee and less chance of getting a pink slip in the slow times like now. Good Luck Mark
Haven't read the whole post but I was on a large construction job and the american welders were laid off for phillipino welders and the company paid for their housing and transportation. I also know quite a few unemployed welders.
I started reading the replies here, I gotta agree with most everyone here, find another career. I've never paid for schooling for welding, and it's something I never would pay for. I got my foot in the door and that was enough. When I got laid off, I got the state to pay for me to learn TIG welding. I can MIG, TIG, and stick weld. I can do overheads & vertical ups. So all the guys saying "go TIG welding", please find me a TIG welding job? MIG welders are a dime a dozen right now, but TIG welding jobs are no less effected by this recession than MIG welding. The guy who got laid off and the TIG welders kept their job, it's called having more skills, it doesn't mean they laid you off and are wanting to hire a new TIG welder to replace you. And while it's always good to be versatile in your job, it's another misconception about welding as a career, unless you're in a crappy paying small company, your skills don't mean anything. The bigger higher paying companies go by seniority when they make their cuts. Honestly the average welder will have 3 paths to go down, I've been down the 2 and in the planning stages of going down the 3rd. First, the relaxed atmosphere/low pay ratio. If you want to have a nice work environment, small shops, or small companies are the way to go, but you have to deal with the low pay. These are also good places to get an education if you can spot the people to listen to. Used to be easy place to get your foot in the door without paper experience and without schooling, I don't think it'll be as easy with the market being saturated with experienced welders. Your best chance at not having to the same job all the time, prove yourself as a versatile welder and you'll be the go-to guy for fixing things or being a fill in guy when someones gone. Helps keep your sanity. Second, the lots of bullshit/high pay ratio, your bigger production companies. You get higher pay but you gotta put up with a lot more BS. Companies like to dick with their employees to do fill the need for their whole power trip. Lot more politics, and don't expect to be appreciated for the job you do. Also expect to do just one job, it's harder to prove yourself as a versatile welder in places like this because you get stuck on just one job. I was lucky enough at Case to start out on a line that was new, and only had me and another guy working the whole line at nights. I was able to prove myself, but a lot of people there weren't, and were stuck in one job the entire time they were there. It really eats at the mind to do the same thing every single day. You'll wake up with your hands in the air doing welds. The third is just a lump, if you can get into higher end specialized jobs, like dive welding or pipeline, or start your own business, you eliminate a lot of the negative factors above but the cost to get into that is a lot higher. All that being said, I really can't recommend anyone being any kind of welder right now as a career. It's just not worth it and I don't see the market recovering anytime soon. If you want to go ahead anyways, it's a gamble, but specialize in stick welding and get into construction. But it's going to be tough to get into too, I've been trying. But all the spending the obamanation is spending, we'll see a lot of that going into construction, new bridges and steel framed buildings. Edit: Oh and I gotta agree with people who mentioned military, one of my regrets is not going in when I was younger. If I would've known I would land in welding as a career, I would've went in the military and learned it there. Guy that got laid off on the first round at Case got a contractors job before he even got laid off to go over to Afghanistan for a year and do welding/fabrication over there. I wish I could do something like that but I'd assume they want people who have military experience for something like that.
My local welder just passed away a couple days ago. He ran his own welding shop for years out of his garage and was of course a very good welder. He was the ripe ol age of 60............. Roy Schmidt from Vinton, IA. R.I.P.
Im an underwater welder and I just got a job in montana. I love it. The pay is awesome and you get to work in a lot of neat places that most people never step foot. I went to Divers Institute of Technology in seattle and I had never so much as scuba dove before. I loved it there.
Not that hard to do, just a parlor trick. Take a look at the last few minutes of Ron Covell's TIG video and he shows how it's done.
Of course. In a military tech school, those interested have access to the best equipment and training staff in the world. Then, even after Tech School, Training in the military is the first order of the day, every day. The slackers(I call them 'half-steppers) fall through the cracks and those that choose to excell reap the rewards. The skum call those that succeed lifers.
Reminds me of a guy that one of my employers, LearJet, hired a guy on the basis that he made his business cards on thin sheet aluminum with a TIG. Beautiful cards,........... but the kid couldn't do a test weld that would pass certification to save his ass. At his 90 day review he was out the door.
Clark 16- it's good that you are thinking about this now. I went to welding school at Lincoln Electric just after High School. Worked a few years then went to HVAC school. All told I welded about 9years the last 21 years in HVAC, 10 as Building Engineer. When welding I was certified Nuclear code e7018 all position unlimited thickness. I agree with most here, it is a great thing to know how to do correctly but not as a sole means of employment. All HVAC jobs I have had the Boss always loved that I could weld proficiently and did welding repairs to HVAC equipment where most techs lacked that skill level in welding. I always thought this made me more valuable, I have never been laid off HVAC. Building Engineering is kind a an HVAC retirement type job. Knowing how to weld proficiently has made me more valuable to my employers so definetly learn. Good Luck!
a lot of the comments here arent really that accurate. like any other job, there is good and bad. there are extreme risks with every job. you really dont know what a good job is anymore, and the area affects it drasticly. not to single anyone out, but as an example, oldwolf thinks the best job is a truck driver, it is by far not the best job and definitely not the highest in demand. in my area my brother can buy a truck driving job that will pay more than unemployment. there are good jobs, good paying jobs, jobs that are good for your physical health, your mental health.... the list goes on and on, but there arent many jobs out there that will be all good every way you turn. there arent many that are secure anymore. i think no job is scure. school is not for everyone, and most importantly in 20 years no matter what you decide to do, you are going to wish you did something different. its a decent job that can pay really well and it can offer you a lot of great opportunities. i do heavy structural steel welding with stick, and innershield, down to tigging little stainless stair pieces. i enjoy welding, but i was offered an opportunity and through out the last year i have had guys working for me. guys are welding for me that are close to twice my age. i go home fairly clean, not exhausted at the end of the day. its all what you make of it. any job you get, you make yourself believe you can be the best at what you do, be better than the next guy, yet keep the knife out of his back. one of these days i will be behind a shield again putting food on my table, and i will enjoy it. always think of your health, but dont be a cry baby there is no shortage of them out there. oh and immigrants can come and take any job you can think of for less money.
clark16; Whatever you do, don't let the nay-sayers discourage you. Of course there are exceptions, but blaming the economy is short sighted. Today, the numbers are at 10% unemployment. That's only 3% more than the average has been for many years. That means that 90% are working. If, today, I decided to come out of retirement, I have no doubt I would be in that 90% within a week. We haven't heard from you since you posted your question, I'm (optimistic), guessing you are in school. Or, hopefully a college recruiter got ahold of you this week!
my buddy went to under water welding school. hes out on the ships now as a crewman and has dived yet but hes makin bank. and shifty shifterton is right about traveling!
oh and some dude came up to me at a gas station sayin how he travled out here for a welding job. got here and told him there was no work. so he sold me his welder for gas money to get home.......... although it could have been stolen and he just bent me over!.....
Yes, get a degree. I'm currently taking online general ed classes to get an Associate in Applied Science. I'm also going to try and get my CDL's and an Operator's License for equipment. Its sad that a piece of paper means so much to employers today. However, If you have a degree and some common sense and work ethic, It could mean alot, this is what I'm hoping for. My dad spent 5 years in the USMC as a Tank Mechanic and Operator, right out of High School, where he spent his time in Industrial Arts and Auto Shop. He got out, worked in a Body Shop, logged, strip mined, put in hundreds of septic systems and many miles of water line. Spent 5 years in Law Enforcement, but never had the time to get a degree. He applied for the position of City Manager in our town, (responsible for city streets, sidewalks, water lines, general infastructure) They picked a guy with little experience, but a associate degree, over him. Why? Because he had a degree. Which outweighs all the experience in the world in their minds.
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