Projections show that the global welding market will reach a size of $28.66 billion by 2028.
There’s a lot of money in the welding industry, meaning that welders have the potential to make a very good living. Not all welding jobs are the same, however. There are differences in how jobs are done, the skills required for them, and how much they pay.
To find out more about the different types of welding jobs, keep reading.
Do Welders Make Decent Money?
Welding is something that takes a lot of time to master. As with any job that requires skill and training, the salary can be quite high. Typically, a welder with more skill and experience will be able to make more money.
With that being said, there is some range, and various factors can affect a welder’s salary. Welding jobs are often on a contractual basis. This means that they can vary in length, with many jobs lasting just a few months, and others lasting for several years.
A welder’s location can also affect how much money they earn. There’s generally a lot more work available in cities and urban areas. Smaller towns and rural areas don’t have as high a demand for welders, so may not be an ideal location for someone looking for welding jobs.
Securing a job with a larger company like Energy-One is often beneficial. Smaller firms often don’t provide the best welding jobs salary.
What Is the Highest Paying Welding Job?
With the various factors that affect how much someone can make from welding, it’s difficult to specify which welding job is the highest paying. What may be the best paying job in one area, may not be the best paying in another, for example.
With that being said, according to Indeed, a pipe welder will generally make more (on average) than other welders. The average salary in the US for a pipe welder is around $24.50 per hour.
A pipe welder uses welding equipment to assemble and repair pipes. They may also have to install and maintain structural units. One of the main reasons that these welders tend to earn more than others is because the job can involve some tough conditions.
As pipes that have been placed don’t move, the welder must adapt to each different situation to get things done. Welders are generally more capable of doing this if they’re physically fit, and they need to take extensive safety precautions.
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What Are the 4 Types of Welding Careers?
There are four main types of welding, each being suitable for different applications. It’s important that you understand what these are so you know what search terms to use when looking for a welding job.
MIG Welding
Also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW) this is the most widely used type of welding. It’s common in the auto industry for exhaust repair, as well as in the construction industry for the structure of houses and other buildings.
MIG welding uses an electrode to form the weld, and shielding gas to protect the weld from any contamination.
TIG Welding
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is somewhat similar to MIG welding. It also uses an electric arc, but the electrode is made of tungsten. It’s one of the toughest metals available, making it ideal for forming strong welds that won’t burn off or dissolve.
The TIG welding process is known as fusion, and it involves an external gas supply (usually argon or helium). It can be done with or without a filler metal.
Various industries make use of TIG welding, including the auto and aerospace industries. It also has various agricultural applications for farm equipment such as wagons and is commonly used for metal fabrication.
Stick Welding
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) has the advantage of being a portable option. It involves a consumable electrode that softens and combines metals. It does this with an arc between the metal workpiece and the electrode.
The electrode melts along with its protective cover. This shields the weld area from external gases to stop them from getting into the weld. It has several applications such as construction, industrial fabrication, and underwater pipelines.
Flux-Cored Arc Welding
FCAW uses a continuous electrode like MIG welding, but it’s filled with flux. This flux feeds into the weld pool from the welding gun, providing shielding from contaminants or weather elements. FCAW is mostly used in machining industries as it’s best suited for thicker metals.
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Is a Welding Career Good?
Welding isn’t the easiest job in the world. It takes hard work, and can sometimes involve some tough conditions. Despite this, it can be very rewarding, which is why many welders enjoy what they do.
Different people like different types of work. For anyone who likes hands-on tasks, welding careers may be among the best options. There are many other hands-on jobs out there, but they’re often quite simple and repetitive, and generally aren’t very well paid. By taking on welding you’ll experience varied work, and as your skills grow you’ll be able to take on more advanced jobs to increase your salary.
It’s also the type of work that’s needed anywhere. Looking online for “TIG welding jobs near me” will almost always give you something, regardless of where you’re located. If you’re based in Rhode Island, Energy-One might have the perfect job for you already.
Welding Jobs With Energy-One
Whether you’re new to welding, or you have years of experience, there are always welding jobs out there that need doing. Energy-One provides a range of services such as welding, plumbing, and fuel delivery throughout Rhode Island and South-East Massachusetts.
If you think we might make a good fit for you, click here to apply, and we’ll be in contact with a job alert whenever we have something suitable.
Where Are the Best Welding Jobs Near Me?