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Welders

Welders use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

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demand
(through 2026)
moderate
time commitment
1-2 Years
average salary
$73531
job openings
(through 2026)
2,933

what you’ll do

  • Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
  • Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
  • Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.
  • Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
  • Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.

education & training required

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate’s degree. Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training. Training can occur through a technical school, community college, registered apprenticeship program or an industry training program.

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