Every career goal starts with a plan. The best welding jobs provide career stability and a competitive wage. Here are details of the ten best welding jobs:
- Oil Rig Welder. Average Salary: $77,000 per year.
- Structural Welder. Average Salary: $53,827 per year.
- Pipe Welder. Knowledge of fluid mechanics is useful.
- Military Support Welder. Average Salary: $47,397 per year.
- Underwater Welder.
- Welding Inspector. Certification and welding knowledge is required.
- Pipeline Welder.
- Aerospace Welder.
- Shipbuilding Welder. Travel is sometimes required to shipyards.
- Automotive Welder.
What is the highest paying welding job? The highest paying welding job is pipe welding. Industrial pipe welders make the most money but have to be willing to do dangerous work and accept a lot of responsibility.
Underwater welding is also among the highest paying and most dangerous types of welding. They live on the rigs for weeks and make over $100,000 per year.
Welders who own their own shops or welding businesses can also make over $100,000 per year. Obtaining certifications from the American Welding Society greatly increases a welder’s chances of earning such a high salary.
Nuclear welders and overseas military support welders also have the potential to make six-figure salaries.
Welders who work as inspectors and supervisors oversee quality, safety protocols, and production timelines. They ensure other welders meet standards and catch errors early on.
Skilled welders are always in demand. With the right training and certifications, welding can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career across industries like construction, manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace.
What type of welding is most in demand?
Industrial pipe welding pays the most but requires dangerous work and responsibility. Welders who own shops or businesses can make over $100,000 per year. Certification from the American Welding Society increases high salary chances. Inspectors and supervisors oversee quality, safety, and production timelines. Skilled welders are always in demand across industries like construction, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace. Welders work with their hands, travel, and earn a great living.