Objective of Field
Welding Technology curriculum provides excellent preparation for those whose career goals include becoming a welder, welding engineer, mechanical engineer, metallurgical engineer, welding technician, or a specialized welder practitioner.
Job Duties
- Set up, operate, or tend welding
- Soldering or brazing machines
- Robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies
Certification Tests
- American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Entry Level I–Welding Technology (written and performance assessments)
- AWS – EG2 (at least eight performance-based tests within this category)
- National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Welding end of program test
- O.S.H.A. Safety Training (10 hour course)
- Fork Truck Training (sit-down counter balanced, stand-up narrow aisle, and motorized pallet jack)
- Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens Certification
- CPR and First-Aid training
- Fire Extinguisher training
Planned Courses
- Oxy-fuel Cutting (first, second, and third year)
- Oxy-fuel Welding/Brazing (second and third year)
- Intermediate Blueprint Reading (first, second, and third year)
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) (end of first and all of second and third year)
- Flux-core Arc Welding (end of first and all of second and third year)
- Plasma Arc Cutting (first, second, and third year)
- Carbon Air Arc Cutting (first, second, and third year)
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Heli-Arc/TIG) (end of first and all of second and third year)
- Basic Safe Work Practices (first, second, and third year)
- Safe Fabrication Equipment Operations (first, second, and third year)
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding “Stick” (first, second, and third year)
- Welding Inspection (first, second, and third year)
- Cross training in Precision Machining and Pre-Engineering
Employment/Job Outlook
Employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is expected to grow 5-10 percent from 2020 to 2030 (about as fast as the average for all occupations).
Employment growth reflects the need for welders in manufacturing because of the importance and versatility of welding as a manufacturing process. The basic skills of welding are the same across industries, so welders can easily shift from one industry to another, depending on where they are needed most. For example, welders laid off in the automotive manufacturing industry may be able to find work in the oil and gas industry.
Growth of the defense industry, including the manufacturing of aircrafts and missiles, is expected to contribute to employment growth.
In addition, the nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of many welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings, resulting in some new jobs.
Overall job prospects will vary by skill level. Job prospects should be encouraging for welders trained in the latest technologies. Welding schools report that graduates have little difficulty finding work, and many welding employers report difficulty finding properly skilled welders. However, welders who do not have up-to-date training may face competition for jobs.
For all welders, job prospects should be better for those willing to relocate.
Retirements and job growth in the oil and gas and other industries are expected to create excellent opportunities for welders. Welding schools report that graduates have little difficulty finding work, and some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.
The median annual wage of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers was $44,720 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,450, and the top 10 percent earned more than $65,100.
|
$41,380 |
|
$38,440 |
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$40,520 |
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$38,500 |
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$35,568 |
Wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers vary based on experience, skill level, industry, and company size.
About 17 percent of welders belong to a union.
Although most welders, solderers, cutters, and brazers work full time, overtime is common in this occupation. Many manufacturing firms have two or three shifts each day, ranging from 8 to 12 hours, which allow the firm to continue production around the clock if needed. Therefore, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers may work evenings and weekends.
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Industry |
2-Year Associates Degree or 2-4 Years in Industry |
4-Year Bachelor’s Degree or 4-6 Years in Industry |
|
Production Worker |
Associate Welding Engineer |
Welding Engineer |
How to Find Out More
For full program details, download file.
