Welding Career Overview
The average age of a welder is 55. With the retirement of baby boomers, the age gap is only expected to widen. Those who wish to pursue welding as a career can look for apprenticeship programs. Welders can make money at home by starting their own welding business, finding a company willing to pay them to weld at home, teaching welding classes, or demonstrating their welding skills to others. Great welders stay current and are always open to learning new methods. Skilled welders will also be an asset to the alternative energy and oil and gas industries, where they work on pipelines and wind turbines.
Entry level welders earn a starting pay near $17 per hour. Most welders are available for bonuses. Consequently, many of these workers will be gearing for retirement, leading to room for job opportunities and job growth.
Health Risks and Safety Measures
Welders commonly suffer welder’s flash, or temporary blindness and extreme discomfort, when they don’t properly protect their eyes from the arc. To avoid welder’s flash, proper precautions and using the right equipment is crucial, such as wearing appropriate eye protection like a welding helmet with a proper shade lens. Working in well-lit areas with good ventilation can also help prevent this condition from occurring.
Educational Path and Salary Expectations
The process of becoming a welder begins by completing a welding apprenticeship program or taking classes at a technical school. Typically, welding training ranges between 7 months to 2 years, with students learning through both classroom instruction and hands-on experience in the field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average welder’s salary is $42,000 a year. Contract welding offers high pay, and TIG welding is the hardest to learn. The average retirement age for welders is 55, influenced by physical demands, hazards, and eligibility for benefits. Some welders consult past retirement.