Makes extremely precise welds on thin metals for aircraft, rockets, race cars, and medical devices.
You weld titanium rocket engine parts under a magnifier, each bead small and perfect, then send them for X-ray inspection.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Advanced welding school training and aerospace certifications.
Ways in: Trade school, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Welding Technology (trade school).
Growing about average. No separate BLS projection for this specialty; rating is an estimate based on industry trends.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Robots handle repeat precision welds, but one-off aerospace, racing and medical welds still need skilled hands.
Classes: Welding CTE, Physics, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-4121.
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