Also called: Welder, Fabrication Welder
Welds parts on a factory line, such as trailers, farm equipment, or appliances.
You weld the same frame joints hundreds of times a day, check each with a gauge, and work toward certifications that pay more.
BLS May 2024 median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers about $51,000.
Certificate, about 0 years after high school. Short welding course or high school welding class.
Ways in: Trade school, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Welding Technology (trade school).
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI-guided welding robots spread across factory lines, cutting repetitive welding jobs; high-mix shops still hire welders.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to trailer and equipment factories; some train welders, others want a passed weld test First: A short welding course or a passed shop weld test; some factories train you
Classes: Welding CTE, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4121.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.