Welding career is one of the best areas in the welding industry. People with this profession has a special passion for it. Although, the welding job requires so much hard work yet it is popular among many people. There may be many reasons, and the salary is one of them. Welders get smart salaries along with other health benefits. And a certified welding inspector even gets higher monthly bucks. Many people are working in the welding industry. Some give importance to livelihood, others to job security. So, is welding a good career for you? The following are various facts about welding jobs and careers.
Welding is a process or technique of joining two or more metals together. It uses a special welding process for attaching metals with different properties. It applies heat to metal pieces. As a result, the metal melts and makes a long-lasting bond. Due to durability, welding is used in highly sophisticated equipment like in repair and machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace applications, and other manufacturing activities. For instance, joining pipes in power plants, pipelines, refineries, and joining beams in the construction industry.
Post Highlights:
- Does Everyone Suitable for Welding?
- Welding Career Not for You If
- Welding as a Career
- American Welding Society’s Statement
- Job Scopes in the Welding Industry
- Do Welding Industry Have Future?
- Salary Trends in Welding Industry
Is Welding a Good Career?
Does Everyone Suitable for Welding?
On the surface level, many aspiring candidates think welding is a good job for them. But the reality shows a question mark. It means all people are not suitable for welding jobs. Some of them can do hard work others cannot. Therefore, some of the generally known things decide your interest in the welding profession. They are as follows:
- An aspiring person should have an innovative and creative mind?
- Candidates should be a passionate communicator about the profession.
- Are you a good diver as an underwater welding job requires it?
- Can you enjoy working in big automobile plants?
- They should be good at Science and Mathematics as welders need to decide many welding parameters while performing it.
- Do you have an interest and enjoy building things?
- Are you comfortable while handling metals of different weights, textures, etc.?
- Can you imagine how a plane takes off and made up of?
- Are you ready to travel overseas if working in the MNCs?
- What do you think of becoming an employee and employer?
- Do you want to order others or to be ordered by them?
- What do you think about the welding business?
- Do you want to build your business empire or remain a unit in the big chain?
Candidates with this type of temperament are considered suitable for the welding profession. But it only shows positivity, not guarantee success. Applicants need to go through courses in welding schools, colleges, universities, careers, and tech centers.
Welding Career Not for You If
The following are some of the indications which tell your incapability for welding profession and career.
- Disinterest in Mathematics and Science
- Unable to handle heavy things like the seat of metals
- If unable to understand technical things
- Unwilling to travel overseas for welding jobs
- If you don’t want to work in night shifts
- Lack of presence of mind while working
- If cannot work in big companies with team spirit
Welding as a Career
Every year so many welders enroll, pass out, and get jobs throughout the world. In the United States of America, various companies employ more than 500,000 welders both men and women. But as per the recent trends in the market, the welding industry is also facing a job crisis. The main reason behind this is the retirement of skilled men and women workforce.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that one welder is re-entering and three are retiring from the welding industry yearly. According to data analysis, more than 378,000 welders will be required in the United States by 2022. The welding industry is one of the heavy-weight industries. It consists of manufacturing, mining, and construction sector with a volume of $34 billion industry. Further, it comprises one-third of the United States GDP. Normally, all the manufacturing and construction companies require some sort of welding activity.
American Welding Society’s Statement
As per American Welding Society’s recent data release, more than 40% of member companies are closing or shutting down the business. The main cause is the lack of skilled workers. Next, 60% of manufacturers reject half of all potential candidates for jobs due to drug test failure and a dearth of basic skills. Along with this, the entry-level manufacturing skills have become more sophisticated. Employers want more training and education from candidates to succeed in the field.
Job Scopes in the Welding Industry
Every job requires certain skills and education. And deserving applicants have many job scopes in the welding industry. The companies employ skilled workers in various positions such as welding engineers, pipe welder, welder, fabricator, certified welding inspector, pipe-fitter, welding technician, welding inspector, CWI and welding instructor.
Well educated and talented applicants have many bright opportunities to grow with and choose to work in different industries. The employment areas comprise fields like construction companies, machine shops, steel companies, shipyards, manufacturing firms, and maintenance facilities.
Do Welding Industry Have Future?
The welding industry has a progressive and bright future with ascending growth trends. There is no other metal joining process that potentially will replace welding one. Data graphs of the 21st century show upward trends across the globe in the welding industry despite some downtrends.
Every day both job seekers and employers are searching for their respective needs. Both are interdependent. Without a workforce, no business can run. The workload of welding activities is increasing in developing countries more than normal. Because these countries are going under huge manufacturing and construction activities. They need a skilled workforce for creative activities. Therefore, welding is going to play a big role almost in every sector.
Salary Trends in Welding Industry
The salary of each employee varies from average to higher. There are many factors behind such as candidates’ skill and experience, level of education, the demand for welding products, welding companies, competition in welding fields, developed or developing countries, salary trends in the market, and the like many others.
For instance, the starting hourly salary of a welder is somewhere near $11.04. The figures go up to $28.38 as the experience increases. But a welder can earn $18.49 hourly wage on an average basis. Generally, the salary of a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is more than a welder due to its higher profile.
Conclusion
Welding is a good career for those who have an innovative and creative mind. The position should be given to the deserving person. There is no compromise with talent and required skills for the job. Because it is illogical to employ unskilled workers on managing jobs. Yet, both the welding profession and industry are growth-oriented. Candidates with a deep passion for the welding profession will always excel in the approach. Before you go ahead for it, you need to obtain some skills and degrees from welding schools, colleges, universities, careers, and tech centers.
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