If you want to find a career but don't want to spend a lot of time and money on getting a college degree, working as a welder might be a good option. This is especially true if you are someone who pays attention to detail, are safety-oriented, and has good eye-hand coordination, which are all qualities that a great welder has. Most welders earn between $33,974 and $44,851. This is largely dependent upon the type of certifications you have and your particular welding skills.

Many welders have an undergraduate degree from a technical school. They receive most of their training, however, while on the job. Some of the most common techniques used by a well-trained welder include: 

  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  • Metal Inert Gas (MIG)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Some welders choose to go through a customized welding program course so that they can learn specific skills for a particular employer or industry.

Here are three industries that need welders with customized training and specialized skills.

Automotive

While robots seem to be taking over the automotive industry, there is still a need for skilled welders. Those who work in the automotive industry need to have experience with MIG and also laser welding, which are both used when working with aluminum and for doing sheet metal processing. Some welders in the automotive industry are hired to supervise the welding robots.

Oil and Gas

Welders are needed in this industry in three main areas including:

  • Refineries
  • Pipelines
  • Oil rigs

Their duties usually include working on pipeline systems that go underground or underwater in order to transport oil from one location to another. When working on these pipelines, a high level of skill is needed in order to prevent the pipe from bursting or leaking.

Welders in this industry are also responsible for pump jack repair and closing off a producing well. Some of the most common types of welding techniques used in the oil and gas industry include MIG, GTAW, and automatic mechanized welding. Welders should also have experience with a variety of materials including steel and nickel alloys.

Agriculture

For those who grew up in a rural area and enjoy projects such as fixing manifolds on the aluminum engines of various types of farm equipment, they may want to find work as a welder in the agriculture industry.

Welders can either work for an agricultural company or for a rancher who needs welding jobs done on a regular basis. Welders working in agriculture will need to know basic welding techniques, but depending on the project, more specialized skills may be needed.

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