10.04.2005

What are the job prospects for TIG welders?

For Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers, the United States Department of Commerce thinks the future is pretty bright. According to its official website, "job prospects should be excellent." Lots of this is general stuff, but when they say that "Training ranges from a few weeks of school or on-the-job training for low-skilled positions to several years of combined school and on-the-job training for highly skilled jobs," they're saying that you get what you pay for. I think some guys do well in a self taught mode. They're just inclined toward the work. They're talented welders due to hand eye coordination, a good sense of how the metal is working, and steady demeanors. That doesn't mean you have to be born a welder. You can definitely learn it.

Commerce site goes on to say that about 55% of welders, solderers, and brazers work a 40-hour week, overtime is common, and some welders work up to 70 hours per week. Welders also may work in shifts as long as 12 hours. Some welders, solderers, brazers, and machine operators work in factories that operate around the clock, necessitating shift work. You and me both like the overtime, but not the lack of time after the whistle blows.

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers held about 452,000 jobs in 2002. Of these jobs, about 2 of every 3 were found in manufacturing. Jobs were concentrated in transportation equipment manufacturing (motor vehicle body and parts and ship and boat building), machinery manufacturing (agriculture, construction, and mining machinery), and architectural and structural metals manufacturing. Most jobs for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders were found in the same manufacturing industries as skilled welding, soldering, and brazing workers.

Median hourly earnings of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were $14.02 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $11.41 and $17.34. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $9.41, while the top 10 percent earned over $21.79. The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels.

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