Is Welding a Good Career? Salary, Outlook & How to Start

Welding is one of the most versatile skilled trades. A qualified welder can work in construction, manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, oil and gas, automotive, or art fabrication. The barrier to entry is relatively low — you can start welding within weeks — but the ceiling is high. Specialized welders in niche fields earn six figures.

So is welding a good career? For the right person, absolutely. Here's what you need to know.

Types of Welding

Not all welding is the same. The process you learn determines what jobs you qualify for:

SMAW (Stick Welding)

The most basic and widely used process. Stick welding works on thick metals in outdoor and field conditions. It's the standard for structural steel, pipelines, and heavy construction. Most beginners start here.

MIG (GMAW)

Uses a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas. MIG is faster and easier to learn than stick, making it the go-to for manufacturing, auto body, and light fabrication. Many entry-level shop jobs require MIG proficiency.

TIG (GTAW)

The precision process. TIG welding produces the cleanest, most controlled welds and is used on thin metals, stainless steel, aluminum, and exotic alloys. Aerospace, food-grade piping, motorsports, and high-end fabrication all rely on TIG welders. It's harder to learn but pays more.

Flux-Core (FCAW)

Similar to MIG but uses a self-shielding wire, making it effective for outdoor work and heavy fabrication. Common in structural steel and shipbuilding.

Learning multiple processes makes you more employable and better paid. Most trade school programs teach at least stick and MIG; good programs also cover TIG and flux-core.

Specializations (Where the Real Money Is)

Base welding wages are solid, but specializations are where the career goes from "good" to "excellent":

Pipeline Welding

Pipeline welders join sections of oil, gas, and water transmission pipe, often in remote locations. The work is demanding — long hours, harsh conditions, and travel. But wages reflect that: experienced pipeline welders can earn $70,000-150,000+/year, with some earning more than $200,000 in boom years. You'll need to pass specific API certification tests.

Underwater Welding

Underwater welders (technically "commercial divers with welding capability") work on offshore platforms, ship hulls, dams, and bridges. The work requires commercial diving certification in addition to welding skills. Earnings range from $50,000-120,000+/year depending on location, depth, and type of work. The risks are real — it's one of the more dangerous trade specializations.

Aerospace Welding

Aerospace welders work on aircraft, rockets, and satellites, joining exotic metals like titanium, Inconel, and high-grade aluminum. TIG proficiency is essential, and the tolerances are extremely tight. Wages range from $28-45/hour, with jobs concentrated near aerospace manufacturing hubs (Seattle, Wichita, Southern California, Huntsville).

Nuclear Welding

Welders working on nuclear power plants and naval vessels must meet the strictest standards in the industry (ASME Section IX, NQA-1). The certification process is rigorous, but qualified nuclear welders earn $35-55/hour with excellent benefits.

Robotic Welding / Automation

As manufacturing increasingly uses robotic welding cells, technicians who can program, set up, and troubleshoot welding robots are in growing demand. This combines welding knowledge with programming skills and pays $25-40/hour.

Certifications

AWS Certifications

The American Welding Society (AWS) offers several certifications that employers recognize:

• Certified Welder (CW) — performance-based test proving you can weld to a specific standard. Many employers require this or will test you themselves.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) — for moving into inspection and quality assurance. Requires experience, education, and a challenging exam. CWIs earn $30-50/hour.
• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) — for those who want to teach welding.

Employer-Specific Tests

In practice, many welding jobs require you to pass the employer's own weld test rather than holding a specific certification. You'll typically need to produce sample welds on specific materials, positions, and processes that an inspector evaluates. Different industries (structural, pipe, pressure vessel) have different testing standards.

ASME and API Codes

For pressure vessel and piping work, you'll need to weld to ASME Section IX standards. Pipeline work requires API 1104 qualification. These aren't certifications you "hold" — they're standards you test to for each employer or project.

Wages

Welding wages vary more than most trades because specialization matters so much:

• Entry-level shop welder (MIG): $16-20/hour
• Mid-career structural welder: $22-30/hour
• Experienced multi-process welder: $28-38/hour
• Pipeline welder: $35-75/hour (plus per diem)
• Underwater welder: $25-50/hour (plus dive pay)
• National median: roughly $23-25/hour

The median number is deceptively low because it includes a large number of entry-level MIG welders in manufacturing shops. Experienced welders with multiple process certifications and specializations consistently earn well above median.

Self-employed welders with their own rigs (mobile welding trucks) can set their own rates. In rural areas with limited competition, mobile welders doing farm, ranch, and field repair can earn $75-125/hour.

Training Options

Trade School (6-18 months)

Welding certificate programs are available at community colleges and private technical schools. Good programs teach multiple processes (stick, MIG, TIG, flux-core), blueprint reading, metallurgy, and safety. Community college programs typically cost $3,000-8,000; private schools can cost $15,000-25,000+.

Search welding programs on SkillPlum.

Apprenticeship (3-4 years)

Some welding specializations, particularly in the union construction trades (ironworkers, boilermakers, pipefitters), offer registered apprenticeships. These combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction and pay you while you learn. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers runs one of the most respected welding-intensive apprenticeship programs.

Browse welding apprenticeships.

Self-Taught + Certification

Unlike electrical or plumbing, welding doesn't require a license in most states. Some welders learn informally, then test for certifications. This works but is slower and doesn't provide the structured progression of a formal program.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects 2-4% growth for welders through 2032, but the story is bigger than that number suggests. An aging workforce means significant retirement-driven turnover. Infrastructure spending (bridges, pipelines, water systems) is creating sustained demand. And reshoring of manufacturing is bringing welding jobs back to the U.S.

The welders most in demand are those with:

• Multiple process certifications (especially TIG)
• Code welding capability (ASME, API)
• Specialized skills (pipe, structural, aerospace)
• CWI credentials for inspection roles

Getting Started

1. Take an introductory course — many community colleges offer short welding courses to test the waters before committing to a full program
2. Enroll in a certificate program — search welding programs near you on SkillPlum
3. Practice relentlessly — welding is a motor skill that improves with repetition
4. Get certified — pass AWS CW tests in multiple positions and processes
5. Specialize — once you have fundamentals, pursue the specialization that interests you most

Explore welding programs and apprenticeships on SkillPlum, or browse our trade career guides to compare welding with other skilled trades.