Welder Shortage
Where Are All the New Welding Operators?
Chances are, you've struggled with this question. The number of people who weld for a living dropped 10 percent in just five years. In fact, the AWS predicts that by 2010, demand for skilled welders may exceed supply by 200,000. This labor shortage holds back businesses that would otherwise grow prosper and keep American industry strong.
The good news is that we can do something about it: recruit new welders and support training programs. The AWS' Welder Workforce Development Program has recently been established to do just that. To address the shortage of trained welders in the U.S., it funds the training of entry-level welders and specialized training of existing welders.
AWS Foundation chairman Ron Pierce and his wife pledged $100,000 to initially fund this program, and Miller Electric and Hobart Brothers recently pledged $1 million to the program to act as an industry catalyst.
Some of you reading this BLOG have already taken personal or corporate steps to address the chronic shortage of skilled welders (see related story). If you have any particularly innovative or noteworthy methods and ideas, share your successes by using the "Leave a Comment" form below.
Average (Not Rated)
November 7th, 2006 at 10:23 am
I would encourage folks to get involved with the Dream It Do It campaign over at NAM:
The goal of the Dream It. Do It. campaign is to help young adults find careers that they can be passionate about in one of manufacturing’s many exciting sectors. Whether someone is interested in cars or computers or music or even art, there’s a great job waiting for them in manufacturing.
http://www.dreamit-doit.com
… and lobby your state representative to make sure that there is fundign for vocational and technical training programs that train kids for great careers in fields that don’t require college….
November 7th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Gee that’s news To me,
After spending 2 and a half years and sallie mae’s money I left college with two L.A.
certs looking for a job. I decided to try the local Ironworkers union, they gives me a thick book and told me to call these companies and ask if thier taking on any apprentices, not one opening and I call 94 companies. So three months later, I call these companies again still no openings I must have call, vist and went to many staffing houses and uneployment agencies and all I got out of it is about two weeks worth of work nothing to make a career out of it. I left college five years ago,
in the meantime I work at Wal-Mart passing my time looking for that shortage that you tell me about Still hoping in Los Angeles. Bob
November 8th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
I AM AN EXPERIENCED WELDER, AS MANY FRIENDS OF MINE ARE. BECAUSE WE LIVE IN MISSISSIPI, THERE IS NOT A BIG DEMAND FOR WOMEN WELDERS. HOWEVER; WE WERE TRAINED HERE AND HAVE BENEFITED NOT ONLY THE CATFISH INDUSTRY BUT MANY OTHER FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES. SO, WHY ARE NOW ARE WE; AFTER 10 YEARS PLUS EXPERIENCED, UNPLOYEED? Where are the jobs for us?
November 10th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
I love the welder shortage! This way I stay in demand, get a decent wage and get treated better with more respect on the job… so I laugh all the way to the bank! Burn down the welding schools, I want another raise!
November 11th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
I am a welder who just got out of school. I noticed that most of the students weren't there to get training for employment, instead they were doing more in the way of getting some side knowledge or just using it to get some projects done. The schools need to get on the ball and get people in who are serious and want to become career welders.
(One line of this post was deleted by the moderator due to foul language)
November 13th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I’m an Instructor at a Community College, hold a current CWI/CWE as well as multiple process and position unlimited thickness certifications, and preach to my students all the time that you are in more control of the hiring factors than the employer. You will have more say when it comes to pay, benefits, and leave because the workforce is thirsty for skilled employees. As for Ron, we’ll see who’s laughing when my 30 some welders every quarter get out in the workforce and take your jobs!! I’ll be seeing you taking classes soon, the way you’ve been doing it for the last umpteen years-with no formal training, isn’t the ‘right’ way to do it. See you soon.
November 16th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
I graduated from a technical college with excellent welding and pipefitting programs. I gained a tremendous amount of invaluable skill, education, and desire to be a career oriented craftsman there. One thing that was missing, and I would guess is absent from most schools is the ability to adapt to production demands. I can see it in Jason’s comment to Ron stating the way Ron has been doing it isn’t the “right” way. I have been in industies that are more concerned with perfection and real quality. However, that is not always the case and trust me when I tell you, not ALL employers are concerned with perfection. Often it is the bottom line whether that means scabbing a “temporary” repair together to keep a conveyor running until it’s scheduled shutdown or making welds in a boiler that has only been offline for six hours and dealing with all the variables that prevent the “perfect” environment (as seen in a tech school shop) due to the fact that your boss wants that boiler back online yesterday! My point in writing this is to express my opinion that Formal training in welding is a great thing for people who want to do this for a living, but the schools need to be able to integrate the realities of much of the “real-world” production demands as well. Otherwise, you are merely sending out a bunch of prima-donna welders who think they can weld anything and should be paid as much as the guy who was never “formally” trained, yet has been getting the job done and keeping this country strong for decades!
November 21st, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Well first I would like to say that if you are a skilled welder there should be no reason why you can’t find employment! I too am an instructor and I have more request for welders right now than I will be able to supply with in the next five years.
To the comment made about what the welding schools should do is: the schools are here to provide an entry level skill – to pass the weld test. There is no way for us to replicate all the different scenario’s that someone may encounter. Do I think that someone new to the welding field should make the same money as someone who has more experince – no! But, there is no way to teach experince!
November 23rd, 2006 at 9:58 am
I am Basil. I am a welder who just out from the school.
and I have a tcehnical background,and I don,t know how
to find the job without experience.
anticipating a favourable reply
Basil
November 27th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
I have over 30 years in the welding career field. I got my welding training at Delhi State University, New York. I work as a welding technition for a company in the Southern Teir Region of the state. We employ around 100 GMAW welders. In this area it is hard to find qualified welders. The industries needs welders that can read blue prints, set there machines, read a tape measure, can convert fractions, do math, trouble shoot problems, etc. Now we are happy to find an individual who can just run a bead and we train the rest they need to Know on the job. The schools training the future welders need to spend an equal time teaching all the manual welding areas, stick, mig, tig, etc. We get people of all ages that have learned to weld from one school or another. Normally they have spent a good deal of time doing the stick process. Yea for them. No matter what process of welding they are being trainedfor, these people need to know the basics of the entire field. The whole field not just how to run a bead.
December 3rd, 2006 at 8:08 pm
I am just starting doing foreign trade recently. My company major products are welding manipulator,rotator and positioner. I know that many companies abroad need these products and they want lower prices, but it is just so difficult to find a way to get to contract these people who want them. As people know, many Chinese and Foreign company usually put their information in Alibaba to get foreign supliers and buyers. But this should not be the only way to find some local companies in this line. So any advices on finding some websites to get to know more buyers, please??
December 4th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
I agree with ronnie. You can not teach experiance. I am also a instructor at a community college, and i totally disagree with that other idiot ron . Burn down our welding schools whats this guy thinking. Schools are to get our future welders the steps to get started! As for a shortage in welders. Most companys are looking for a combo person. One who has multiple skills, Burner,fitter, and fabricator. What i’am trying to say is the wage is to low for these qualified weldors, thus making it hard to hire someone.
December 5th, 2006 at 1:24 am
I’m female and basically just trying to get some information about being a welder. I didn’t think it was a big deal, women have been doing male-dominated jobs for decades (and vice versa) but everyone seems to be giving me a hard time about it. I don’t know if I should. I don’t mind being the only girl on a team, but if everyone looks at me and treats me differently, I just don’t know. Plus it seems pretty conflicting, I read these things that say there’s a welder shortage, but then I look at help wanted ads and there’s not many ads, and they all require many skills and years of experience. I figure if there was a shortage they’d be more flexible and willing to train you. Requiring formal training is one thing, but it seems like they just want me to fit into a slot just like crummy service industry retail and food jobs.
December 5th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
To Basil Lloyd,
I have students and have started their first job making $20 plus an hour right out of school. They are doing new construction and shutdowns. These contractors will hire them with no experience as long as they can pass the weld test! Try looking thru one of the hot sheet magazines like the Industrial Tradesman, or contacting companies like the Atlantic Group or Fluor. These companies are always looking for skilled workers.
December 5th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
Hey fellas-I appreciate all of the viewpoints, whether we all agree with them or not. I need a little advice from all the qualified and experienced welders out there. What kind of wage can an entry-level pipe welder/student right out of the local community college (“green”) expect to earn? And when can I expect to nail one of those highly coveted combo/pipe welder positions for a 30/45 day shutdown/turnaround jobs earning $30/hr. plus per diem? I know experience is almost everything as they say-so should I just remain patient, do my time, and work my way up the totem pole? As a “greenhorn” how can I compete with other applicants who already have multiple years experience? Thanks fellas!
December 13th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
I’m very happy to see that other educators out there feel the same as I about that idiot Ron’s comment. Yes, we can’t teach experience, yes-people who are fresh out of school do expect to be paid as much as someone with years of experience and yes there are definitely guys who think they are top of the world and can do it all. But with all of that aside, we instruct students for the ‘right’ end result. Being able to take that instruction and apply it to the job is where you separate the ‘welders’ from the ‘rod burners’. As an instructor, I don’t expect someone to know it all when they graduate. I do expect, however, that they know the difference between the ‘right’ end product and the ‘wrong’ end product. All in all, there is always a minimum visual inspection criteria that has to be met. Any instructor, educator, CWI/CWE understands that. If the Educational Institution is teaching the correct information then that is where I would stand behind anyone who thinks they should be paid just as much as anyone else for the simple fact that the guy with formal training understands the difference between right and wrong and knows what he has to do to pass initial visual inspection of all welds. Even the ‘scabbed’ weld should pass visual inspection. As should any weld placed in ‘rough’ environments. If there’s an on staff CWI he should be the one regulating all of that, or the code that you are welding to. Basil, look for a welding position through a staffing service, usually those welding positions are ‘entry level’. If you have a degree of some sort in welding you should be able to get into even a non entry level position. Mark, I am sorry that you are getting only guys who know one process. The curriculum that is taught at the college I teach at is kept up-to-date with technology and what industry is doing. We have technical representatives from industry on the technical board that keep our curriculum where it needs to be so that graduates hit the ground running no matter where they go and no matter what process is being used. And for a final note, if you want to become a ‘certified’ welder, please don’t be like every other guy and think that being ‘certified’ means you can do whatever you want. Most guys don’t even know what it means to be ‘certified’. Ask yourself these questions: What process, material, position, thickness, code, etc….. That has to be one of the most annoying conversations I could ever have with someone. So please, understand what you are talking about when addressing the term ‘certified’. Thank you and Happy Holiday’s to everyone!!!
January 9th, 2007 at 9:21 am
As stated in the original message, "If you have any particularly innovative or noteworthy methods and ideas, share your successes by using the "Leave a Comment" form below." Glad to see all the welders/educators can follow instructions!! Our local community college has turned a blind eye to the welding industry. So the company I work for has now been creating a relationship with High Schools in the area. We have given tours of our facility as well as been guest instructors in the classroom. We have also been keeping the Counselors at the school upto date on the shortage. Training, Experience, and ATTENTION TO DETAIL is our problem. If anyone is looking for a welding career in the midwest and can't find it, then the food at the soup line must be to darn good!
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I work with a company that we are always searching for welders and also we would help to relocate the right candiates. Give me a call 308-884-2233 ext 103
Thanks Al
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I am an experienced welder from South Ga and the pay rate for tig welders at one job welding stanless is 8.50 tops , I told them you have got to be kiding me . No wounder there is a shortage. Im a very good welder and this wase a compleat insult to my trade
January 26th, 2007 at 6:53 am
I started welding at the age of 15, was taught by my favorite uncle. Welding was “ultra cool,” something that you had to do if you wanted to “be somebody.” Those were my thoughts then, I lived and breathed welding since, and because it’s a part of heavy equipment repair, and trucking, the industry I grew up in it’s “in my blood.” Now there are your 9-5 welder’s who go to work, weld, then go home… Then there’s welder’s like me who will drive you up the walls with welding, we weld in our sleep, we count beads instead of sheep, you’ll even pray that someone will weld us in a steel box so you don’t have to hear us talking your ears off about welding. We’re the one’s who are ambidexterous (can weld left and right handed), our hands never stay still because we’re welding imaginary beads for hours on end whenever we’re not actually welding. We’ll even say something senseless like: “In a world where steel is real…jus’ weld-um, jus’ weld-um all!!!” But in stressful situations where most welder’s crack under the strain, we’re the unsinkable one’s, we’ll weld anything, anytime, anyplace, and be grinning under our hoods!!! OH YEAH!!! I’m 49 and I never grew out of the hardcore “weld-um all” mind set. “Live to weld, weld to live!!!”
a Welda”
Aloha,
January 26th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Eh, Greg; They’d hate me because I’d tell-um where they can put their welding job and pay!!! We put too much into this trade to be insulted with $8.50 per hr. That kind of pay was okay when I was 13 (didn’t weld yet)… Anything less than $20.00 and they can kiss my @#!!%@!!! OH YEAH!!!
Aloha,
“Da Welda”
January 28th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I’m in ohio ,weld in company making exhaust systems.
i took jvs night classes for mig/tig . welded 7 yrs for the company before i ever got company “certified” i will admit i do not know alot because we don’t need to .we use the same metal /wire / gases are pumped in now /
we don’t even have to change our tig tanks anymore. I’ve been there for almost 9 yrs . now our “new ” welders which we train to pass the test.
most don’t even have a clue how to change leads / tanks / or how to adjust thier welders.
i dislike my company policies ( production vs quality) and would love to change companies , but honestly would feel unqualified to make the move
without going back to school. new welders start @ $12+ hr , 2yr top out is $ 17.
good- luck out there
February 14th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Jim i agree with you.I have been welding for 14 years doing millwright and construction its just different if you learned in the field.The work enviorment makes like night and day alot of times
February 19th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Here in Alberta they too say their’s not enough workers to fill all these pipeline/oilfield jobs. Its all BS cause I know lots of guys sitting cause the oil companies dont want to pay the rates that we as rig welders need to have to make a go of it. They have started bring in other welders from the east side of Canada who will work for alot less cause back in their towns welders are lucky if they make 10-15 per hr. They also have brought hin guys from other countries to try to get the same kind of work skill, well
thats not working out for them too well:) trust me if seen some of their welds. I would think the same thing has/will happen in the US sooner or later.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Hiring foreign welders should get interesting if they have to ‘follow the paper trail’ for boxcars, bridges, power plants and anything else that has inspectors or regulatory oversight. Unintelligible logbooks makes for king size liabilities.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
The US exports a lot of aircraft, satellites, construction equipment, and drilling rigs but not much in the way of ships, cars, agricultural tractors, etc. In short, the welding is, sometimes literally, rocket science.
American kids have been taught that graduating from college is the economic valhalla. Of those that don’t buy it, the fallback is tech work, really effective if you’re a hopeless gamer anyway. PC techwork, network administration, and web design can be learned without spending a fortune. Failing that, it doesn’t take much training to be a waitress or grocery bagger.
One gets in an interesting situation when someone in their mid-30′s says ‘to #el$ with rat race’ and decides to do ‘art’ or ‘building restoration’ or ‘historical preservation’. Where do they learn to weld (or cast iron, or blacksmithing, or whatever)? Oftentimes this person would be a jewel on a jobsite, once they know they’re way around the craft. How does one reach the frustrated metalworker sitting at a desk entering spreadsheets?
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:50 am
What about older adults ?, guys with no job ,gals, retirees etc. For 22hundred you can pick yourself up a nice electric Miller and weld your neighbors shovels & rakes ,a lawnmower handle,a bicycle frame etc. You’ll be the hit of the neighborhood,not to mention peace & harmony in your life.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Hi all i am basically in the same boat i am fresh out of college aand when i go to interveiws and the person interveiwing me asks ok what kinda of pay do u want …… what do u say if u say to high then they hire someone else if u say to low how do u afford to live? anyone know what a good wage is for ontario…?
April 1st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Most kids that come out of high school in todays society do not want to get dirty or wear coveralls or learn a trade they want to stay clean and do nothing and get paid for it. I feel there is a shortage because hardly any young people do not want to do it if it means working more than 40 hours a week and going out of town. Also having worked all over North America i have found the canadian welders to have more experience and better welding skills, more pride in their work also.
May 25th, 2007 at 2:12 am
I graduated in july 06 took a vacation and got to looking for a job. Its unbelievable how many people graduate a tech school and don’t know how to set a machine. They go for tests and blame the employer for “sabatoging” the machine because they think that they didn’t like them or because they are racist or what not. They would love you if you knew how to weld, but you have to be able to set the machine yourself and even if you welds took their breath away if your not a team player your fired. I recently quit my first job because I was not satisfied with the way things were being run in the company and also working conditions in the shop. Mind you I was working there for 7 months and I quit just like that because I was fed up. Two welders I repeat 2 welders had come one right after another with 14 and 17 years experience and both didnt last a week. One of them on his test for brass tig didn’t turn on the argon. It’s a shame my co-welder didn’t save the cup. He told me he melted the ceramic cup and this is 17 years experience? His stick welds from what I heard were even worse than his tig. He had to beat the crap out of the weld to take the slag off and this is the e7018 we’re talking about. Foreman and the supervisor both were asking about me after two weeks but had too much pride to call me themselves so the other welder called me n told me to come back. He also is just out of school welding in a company almost hundred years old and its just the two of us holding the fort down. When I came back I gave them a piece of my mind and they did’t hesitate to give me they money I asked for and should have push it but I’m dumb. I should have crunched some higher numbers and made them give me more.
May 28th, 2007 at 6:49 am
I have 20 yrs. in the the steel industry.From a-z in installation and fab. apps.Mig, tig, stick some oxy-acet. welding. I’m having to try and find employment after 20 yrs. with same co. Brother’s selling out there’s no loyalty to employee’s who have given 110% all the time.It’s an insult to call or go for job’s and they offer 8-12 P/H these guy’s sould be shot or made to work for those wage’s.I don’t see where the big demand is when you have people desperate and will work for these wage’s. It make’s the industry suck.By the way I have 6 cert’s.vert. up ,flat. o.h. on mig and stick.
July 10th, 2007 at 6:13 am
If there is a shortage in what part of the country is it ? I have searched the internet local job boards applied in person. Who wants to hire new welders for more than 90 days? When that happens they also have to pay for that employs benefits. More employers are hireing through temp agency s than through the front door. It does not matter if you have a great cover letter, resume or can really physicaly out work others around you unless you know the boss of a business and they think of you as the right candidate and you can speak to them person to person you will not be hired for that great job you have been looking for.
To Many Of my fellow Americans think they have to be payed so much money because they want the high class life style. Well thats fine but even if you have that great job. MONEY WILL NEVER MAKE YOU HAPPY. Only faith in GOD can!!!!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 8:25 pm
McLaughlin Body Company, located in Moline, Illinois is hiring welders. (120 welders in all). Production for this military cab starts soon and will be in full production by Feb 2008 and the company or supplier wants 40 cabs a day. starting pay as i have been told is $10.98 plus cost of living which is $2.48 an hour plus piecework. the company is going thru an agency and if interested you should call Jacobson Staffing at 309-797-6182
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I am a welder in salem oregon and I haven’t noticed this supposed shortage of welders in fact I am having a very difficult job finding a welding job so if welders are in such high demand why don’t I have a job.
August 7th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I saw some TV personiality say that a good jurniorman welder in NY. state could earn 75K. per yr. well I agree I have never know any one who earned that much money unless they were self employed. I owned my own business for yr. but now that I am back in the job market I have to agree employeers think you will for slave wages. Most of these guys act like there Wal-Mart and think you should submit to there will I have more experance in welding in my field than most people alive. and its still hard to get any respect in todays job market. So kids I know how you feel
I have held A.W.S. D1-72 section 5 for structural steel A 514 gr.A&b all position unlimited. or 6-G commonly known as an Ar. bell-hole. most of the welding instructor’s today don’t even know the term much less the test. I have been welding crane boom for 30 years without a failure or customer complaint and I still cant get a job that pays a living wage and I know The codes. However I still want settle for a half ass job whin it come to the work I am held responsable for.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:53 am
I just discovered this blog. We don’t hire welders, but we do hire technicians who repair welders and generators and apparatus used in cutting.
We are hiring and would like to hear from anyone intersted in working in Central Florida Orlando area
August 20th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
hi my name is adam and i am a 21 year old pressure welder from northern alberta were there is an extreme shortage of skilled welders pipeline companys are offering up to $150 an hour yes an HOUR!!! i only have 5 years experience yet me and many young rod burners are getting calls everyday. if you are talented and take pride in your work and job there is no reason to be unemployed even first years are making $27 an hour to weld hand railing and structural supports i agree with da welda some of us eat sleep and breath welding its not a job but a way of life especially us canadian welders who unlike the americans can actually weld. have a great day!!!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
hi, all im 47 getin ready to move to massachusetes,have 30 years tig,mig welding i do manual machining precision sheetmetal tig alum ac and dc can weld very light gauge metals titanium ,stainless ,copper, certified 6g Ino trig and no my k factors any 1 from mass interested?
September 1st, 2007 at 10:48 am
i took a welding course in prison for one year and it really interrests me to get back into the feild of learning in the job i’m currently unemployed and cant drive so it would be betttter to get into a factory type setting i laerned the basic smaw (stick) various position but still need to work on it am very interested in find a way to get my foot in the door if anyone has information on how a ex-felon can change his life an get a job in the welding feild with as litttle ex. as i have please contact me
September 1st, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I have been working on boilers and associated piping systems for thirty years.Work has been very steady. I make over thirty-two dollars an hour plus benifits like insurance,retirement ,company truck,uniforms,ect.My company has a hard time finding people who a willing to put in an honest days work .No body wants to sweat or get dirty anymore.Alot of people can not pass a drug test or they have problems with driving record.Every new Certifided welder is God’s gift to the world untill they have to crawl into some tight spot and preform a “R” stamp repair.Most welders I see don’t want to get their hands dirty and don’t even own basic hand tools.
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
for the posters that think there is no demand for welders you need to open your eyes i am a union pipefitter/welder and we are taking just about anybody that can pass a weld test, i work mainly in the nuclear field and could go just about anywhere in the country and have a job waiting on me, so if you are a good welder and need work with high pay and benifits call your local pipefitters union hall and apply!!!
October 13th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
my dAD WAS A WELDER I MYSELF WELD A LITTLE STICK AND ACYELENE , I WAS LOOKING INTO WELDING THE PAY MUST BE UP THERE , AND IF YOU CAN SCORE A GOOD CO. THATS A PLUS WHERE IS THIS SHORTAGE AT ITS POSSIBLE TO RELOCATE IF YOUR GOING TO SURVIVE AND HAVE A DECENT PAYING JOB TO GO TO I WOULD TRAIN FOR THAT. YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR HOME WORK TO . NOT JUST UP AND LEAVE .. FROM ROCHESTER NY DO WE HAVE A SHORTAGE ???
October 18th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I am in need of welders and fitters. If you are good and can pass a welding test and are willing to travel and make the money you deserve then call me and ask for Mike Martino xtn 15
281-479-6200 We are in need of stick,flux-core,mig.tig,heliarc.hassloy,enkenil.carbon-ss steele aluminum
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 am
I have allways been fascinated with the welding field and allways wanted to get into it, my question for you is this…I’m 38 have no training, do you think at my age its to late to go through school and come out and make a decent living?
November 6th, 2007 at 7:54 am
i graduated from whiteville,tennessee tech center on aug.27th,2007.my instructor is a newly retired aws certified inspector.it was a year long program.i have three certificates and a diploma for combination welding.i was top of my class.(18 men).im a woman welder.i work now with a company that does shut downs in steel mill plants around the u.s. i make 18$ an hourwith a 80$ a day perdiem.this is helping me financialy as well as gaining experiance that better paying companies are looking for. the school just did a radio plug trying to get more females into technical school for what used to be a “mans world”.i love welding.i mean really enjoy doing a trade that not alot of people can do well.thanx,vicki
November 6th, 2007 at 7:57 am
p.s. im 37 years old and a single parent.the odds may seem stacked against me but there not.this is the best career choices i’ve ever made.the age range companies are looking for is 35-55.i guess they figure young folks arnt as commited as older adults.thanx again,vicki
November 8th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I have been in the field for over 26 yrs, I myself have and retired from welding 5 yrs ago, worked off-shore, refinery plants throught the world and have an extensive background as a Boilmaker, and have ammassed skills and abilities that cannot be taught in the classroom, I too know there is a great shortage of Welder’s and they will never be able to keep the demand for them.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I have been in the field for over 26 yrs, I myself have and retired from welding 5 yrs ago, worked off-shore, refinery plants throught the world and have an extensive background as a Boilmaker, and have ammassed skills and abilities that cannot be taught in the classroom, I too know there is a great shortage of Welder’s and they will never be able to keep the demand for them. part of the reason is that the Union Scale wages are behind the times and many of the so-called die-hard union people have flipped from their status and have crossed their own lines for better pay, more stable jobs and less(BS) benifits are nearly the same and pierdiem and incentives are available to all those who qualify. but lets get to the point. there is no way that the demand can be kept up to date because the young welders are actually burning themselves out at what cost? These 84 hr weeks are very real and have an everlasting effect on the back pocket book, when you include dble overtime and perdiem and safety pay and so on. I am a Boilmaker Foreman for a very large Turn-Around/Shutdown Company and I can assure you that if you want to make 100,000 plus a year you can, If you need information on how to committ to this call me at 231-288-0296, I have worked in this business for yrs and have contacts all over the U>S> snf I can maybe head you in the right direction. Thanks
November 20th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Well people and fellow welders, i work for a local fabrication shop in Maine and would like to point out a coule of things. In my job for this company, i travel alot, all over the us and canada as well as the caribbean. From what i have seen at many job sites, and i ask around, is that there is indeed a shortage of "qualified, dependable, ambitious welders". Yes there are lots of welders out there, but they either don't have the qualifications, they dont show up for work or when they do they're useless, or can't pass a drug screen. There really is a boat load of work available, you have to be willing to put out for the job and to go where the work is. Many employers that pay the good money only pay it to those who are earning it, and those individuals deserve that money. but many many times on sites that i have been on, workers and welders that i have seen in action, simply are not worht the dime. if you want work, go get it, the internet is a resource, not someone handing you the job, if you're worth the job go show someone. Don't be afraid to take the first step and work for less than you think your worth, it's a start and if your good, the money will come, so will the experience which is crucial to you making that big money. And please don't be afraid to learn teh fine english language, both how to speak it and how to write it. Employers want people who can articulate, speak and do what they say they will, this is fairly rare these days and those people who can benefit greatly. And remember no matter how good you are, there will always be someone better. As for David Branson above, just because you have known a welder making 75k a year doesnt mean they aren't out there. David, 38 isn't too old if you have the drive. Im only 39 but i have 21 years experience. I started at 18 and welded for a year before going to college for welding for two years and then i was really ready for the world. I can weld and i do, everywhere. You can too, just do it.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:46 am
They want to know where all the welders have gone? Well lets under pay them, over work them and treat em like S–t. Oh jezzzzz why dont they want to do this any more????? The contractors in my area have kept the scale so low in my area to the point that on one wants to do this for a living anymore. Hell you can make more working at the local building supply house. Now they are crying the blues that they cant find any welders! Booooo Hoooooo I have a novel idea, try paying more money (edited). They think 20.00 an hour is big money. Get a grip. We didnt get a raise for over 8 years, were so far behind the rest of the country, most of the guys that can travel do. Its to the point that you cant even get a head any more. I wouldnt mind paying 3.40 a gallon for gas if my wages reflected it. Hell we have a contractor here who thinks we should take a cut in pay.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
My husband is a welder and a dang good one. He works hard and makes an honest living…but he has to travel to do it. He mainly works the shutdowns and emergency outages in this country’s nuclear plants. 2007 found him on jobsites in 8 states doing their xray welds. He has one of the highest levels of security clearance, and has an amazing work ethic. He is highly skilled and I am very proud of him. Our life style isn’t an easy one. He’s hundreds of miles away while I’m at home working and taking care of our kids. He will drive hours to spend a day at home with us only to leave again the next day. We drive to him when he’s close enough. Living out of hotels is tiring, add missing your wife and kids to that and it turns into a heart wrenching ordeal. If the contractors in Alabama would come closer to paying these truly skilled guys what they are worth, I know a lot of families would be a lot happier. I love my husband and I am very proud of him for what he does, but making $22 at home on 40 hours a week isn’t much incentive when he can make that in per diem alone, out of town…not to mention the wage can be close to double that of our home area plus all the overtime he can get. Give the men a better wage at home and let’s keep them here! I hate missing him when he’s gone!
December 17th, 2007 at 1:11 am
well there are many problems with the system. first most companies are getting used to cheap foreigner labor. this is killing the system for us born in the US. thank the politicians for that. i am a 10 year plus experienced welder and have had no chance because of unknown reasons. could be for being too expensive,too experienced,who knows? no one tells why. no companies want to give anyone a piece of a chance but will hire an illegal or foreign person because they will work cheap. they can afford to but i cant. anyway most advertised jobs are temp svcs. you cant trust any of them because they will try to make every$$$ on you they can while promising you the moon while they dont deliver on promises. in my area of the map no one wants to pay for any experience but they want 2 to 5 years exp. 9-12.00hr. any co. that might pay a reasonable salary wants a 30.00hr man for 16.00hr. this field is falling into a hole except for the pipe welding ind. around here. (triad N.C.) good luck everyone. if your chances are like mine you have your work cut out for you… hope a new year will bring better pay and better opportunities for all of you. Merry Christmas!
December 25th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
If there is a shortage, I would like to know where! There is no shortage, and the people who say on here that they are looking for good hands are temp-service scam artists! I have over 30 years in the business, and I was one of the original Aleyeska Pipeline welders (and yes, I still do it, every day, high-pressure gas work). The problem is, no one wants to pay decent money!!! The companies want to hire a green hand with no tools and no experience, pay him $15/hour with no bennies, and then when he gets wise to the scam they send him down the road and get another. Please, stop deceiving people and tell it like it is!
January 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am
My husband has been welding for about 25 years. We keep reading about the shortage of welders, well it certainly must not be in the Southeastern N C area. There are very, very few jobs available and those are low, low paying positions. We have been sub contracting jobs for all these years and the work has just dried up, or else you have to be in someone’s back pocket. The information being given out does not seem to be accurate and its sounds like it may only be benefiting the welding system or the technical school system. Any feed back or info on where these mega jobs are would definitely be apprec. Happy New Years! Ours looks bleak!
January 6th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
i work in a code shop in oklahoma city and its all x- ray welding. it doisnt pay well. i am good at what i do, i just dont know enough people . i need help!
February 6th, 2008 at 11:08 am
i work for be&k construction get good pay and per diem been gone from home for over a year we do all kinds of welding and i hold many certs with this company but the way they keep going there not gonna have any welders working for them iam a welder and looking for another company to work for with great pay and travels for any kind of welding chrome stainless carbon structual & pipe iam very experienced for only being 21 and never been to any schools just my welder in the back yard has tought me
April 11th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
been out here for along time shortage of welders dont think so maybe shortage of welders with common sense about what they are doing. alot comes from ojt and that is the bottom line so mr. instructor from community college u just sit there in ur class or ur hiding spot and keep teaching all u know and myself and the rest my brothers and sisters out here welding the wrong way will teach ur students how to survive out here . and as for ur 30 students that ur going to send out here and take my job i am still waiting. and guess what there professor never had a bit of school just like alot of hardworking people out here. so when u get tried of hiding in ur class look me up maybe i can make room for u on my job maybe u have more common sense but i seriously doubt it
July 29th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
paul is so right,the company i work for does the same thing.Take a greenhorn train that person with very low pay rate,untill that person wises up then either keep working for low pay or will be traded for the next batch
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
There isn’t a shortage of welders…. there is a shortage of smart companies! When the companies start giving welders the pay they deserve the welders might just come out of the woodwork!
August 16th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Fellow welders,Instructors,Q.A., app welders,
I am a welder working in Alberta (province) Canada-about 3500 miles from my home province.I’ve been welding for 28 yrs.First of all I’d like to comment on my young fellow Canadian welders’(Adam)statement.There is no doubt that there are alot of good welders here in Canada…but it comes with having lots of opportunities.As for pyro-Ron, if you’re good at what you do, you shouldn’t have to worry about competition.Welding is a wonderful trade,but you have to stay focused on gaining experience first,even if it means travelling to find work.In closing I’d like to say to the young welders starting out, don’t get caught up in the welding jargon and the prima donnas-they’re usually the first to blow an x-ray.As far as available jobs and pay here in Alberta……you can’t even imagine.
p.s. stainless tig-welders here put between 2500.00-4800.00/wk in their jeans
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I was a welder for many years. As my experience increased, I did less and less welding. Currently I am a Naval Architectural Technician. This is a gloriified term. I am a Naval Architect’s helper. In this position, there really isn’t any big way I can influence a large group of people to get interested in welding. However, I felt there was a small way. I let my neighbors, co-workers, friends and church members know that if there was someone they ran across interested in welding, have them contact me. To make a long story short, that’s exactly what happened. He was 16, in trouble in school, had no father-figure, and had an attention span of about 6.3 seconds. However, we worked together for several months until he went away to Job Corp on the other side of the State. We worked on the basics of SMAW, and Tig. Also layout, measurements, technical terms, machine set-up etc. Weekly, he was given about 10 basic questions to answer. Most were easy. Some not so. I let him know that striving to do the minimum was not an option. If he couldn’t answer a question, make a phone call. It was a strong positive relationship that was built over time. We have kept in touch. He just began his welding phase this last week, and was very much looking forward to it. I hope the future allows me to influence a few more young people.
December 7th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I Self-Employed in the State of Maine and I don’t know why there are no welders any where else. Because where I am located there are six welding shops in a town of 5,000 people and what work we get is few and far between. and it’s not only my shop thats like that it’s everybody’s up here in the frozen tundra.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Hello
Just found this blog. I have been welding as a hobby for about 35 years. About 2 years ago I went to Vo-Tech to get my 6g license at that time the instuctor (my brother) told everyone how welders were in demand. Well the thing they don’t tell you is how hard it is going to be to get a job. Talked to one guy and he said you need to join the welders unoin over in Tulsa but the only way to join it was to be a relative or a friend of a union member. Well I am neither one of those so that left me out. Another suggested I work for one of the local oil field companies that put up the tank farms but I really hate the thought of taking a pay cut and then you run the risk of being fired or laid off if they run out of work.
About the only way is to go in debt and buy a welding rig for 50,000 – 60,000 dollars and charge 70 – 80 dollars an hour and hope you can make it as a non-union conrtact welder. So what I am saying is if you get lucky you get work otherwise you beter keep you regular job and just part time the welding
Rick
April 15th, 2009 at 2:34 am
I have to agree with this. Fabricator/Welders down here in New Zealand are highly sought after here and overseas and are paid very good money. The flipside is the current economic crisis and people who are searching for an apprenticeship in fabrication such as myself are being pushed aside for experienced tradesmen, which is fair enough, but that doesn’t help the shortage at all.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I believe that the school systems should be promoting this like no other during their shop classes. Being a girl at the high school I attend is kind of this way, and I feel that they tell everyone, boys and girls, that they can get into the automotive careers or the welding careers, but never take any steps toward getting the girls out into the work force for these things. There aren’t many girls that are into shop, but the ones that are don’t seem to be taken seriously. I believe that if they need welders the first place many should go is into high schools. Recruit while they are younger, and teach them how to do it before it is too late. Welding can be easy and fun, but it takes a lot of practice.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I am a highschool student just getting involved in welding. This overwelming need for welders is bad news for the factories, but ultimately good news for my generation. As it is we are not going to be wealthy as our parents, but with opportunities like this, I’ll take it! Being a woman welder may be harder to do, but like they say, women welders usually have better technique! so watch out!
June 18th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Well at this time all I can say is where are the ones listed above who are looking for work we need good welders in a bad way here and can never find enough that are skilled. Pipe welders especially tig welders. There is a big shortage here in the Norfolk Virginia area. The Shipyards here are always looking. I am a Pipe Shop Supervisor and have been running short on both shifts for months now. Hireing into one of the yards here takes a little time but the staffing companies here can have you working within days.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:06 am
mike wheres the beef? WE ARE NOT STUPID, If your company is using “staffing companies” it does not value the skilled trade. You tend to get what you pay for. There is no shortage of skilled welders, There is a SHORTAGE OF COMPANIES that value the pipefitting/welding trade enough to pay a journeyman what they are worth! Good honest hard working men and women are not going to be insulted for too long. Too much of the time the corporate world wants to bring down the USA’s standard of living to that of a third world instead of trying to raise the rest of the worlds standards up.
There are a lot of us that would go to work in the trades but we see that Juan, Hector,and Gomez fresh from Baja or where ever or local corrupt temp agency has hired on for a third of what we as law abiding citizen make a living at and raise a family for. This country has to get back to a level playing field,
There are a lot of us who are now very happy and financially much better off just getting into a good network marketing business and helping others do the same. MONA VIE!
The welding/fitting/fabrication trade is very tough on the body due to the heavy lifting achward positions held for long periods of time, dust, fumes, smoke,noise,high heat and very often long hours, lousy smelly toilets etc. And you want me to do this for how much an hour!!! Every piece of clothing that i own has burn holes in them within day of buying them new. You really have got to love it.
August 8th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I am currently a welding student halfway through with my program. I work very hard at learning this trade. I intend on getting a job one way or the other. I started the application process with Unions as soon as I was accepted into the 7 month program I am in. Our school gives AWS and D.O.T. Certification tests. I do not mind if I have to travel for my job, as long as I get to come back to home often enough. I live in the Albany, NY area, and there are almost no “welding” jobs around here that really pay decent money. I’m just hoping to get the chance to be able to live the “American Dream” that I’ve so often heard about while I was growing up. If this is a “skilled” trade, then I should be given an opportunity to prove myself as a man. I can only get better with time and experience.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
In reply to adams s canada,s best welder he thinks, at 21yrs old.I been welding longer then you been alive.”AMERICAN” BY BIRTH/UNION BY”CHOICE” AND PROUD OF IT.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
there is a shortage of welders i live on st.croix in the virgin islands we have one of the largest oil refinery in the western hemisphere yet most of the welders in my department are in the 30′s- 60′s we have one that is 24 and we trained him on the job ,the shortage is due to lack of good vocational programs, student steered away from vocational being told it is for slow students,mtv,ipod and a host of other distractions.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
After hurricain catrina I was working maintenance at Dow Chemical as a combo welder. I got tired of all the double time companies making 28 or more and hr and double after eight hours and double all weekend plus travel pay and per diem. I was making 23.12 an hr doing the same thing. Screw that! I quit and got hooked up on the road with a double time company and went for two and a half years making mostly 7/12S travel and per diem. I grossed in that time period about 340,000 dollars bro. It is slow now but I have not been without a job. You just have to vote for the best job you can by working for only the highest pay you can get depending on who you know and how good you really are at what you do. You have to meet the right people and represent yourself well. It is there but you have to fight for it. Double time hands are the ones you have to sell yourself too and be willing to travel all over the world. Rig welding it a good field too which I am now trying to get into. I am not the best and not the worst. I have had no repairs except two in three years and I don’t miss any time.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
The guy who cuts my hair gets $14.00 and it takes 20 minutes. All he needs is
a pair of sissors and a chair. So who ever said $20 an hour is ok? You can keep
your $20 if thats all you can do. An OTR driver can make 100K, and that is not
so tough a job. Stop being intimidated. Demand your money.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Over the last 50 years I have been welding, so many news reports have said there is a shortage of weldors. They fail to mention it is the high end of the industry. I have worked construction, NASA, power plants, nuclear. All these require a very high skill level for every weld you make. Almost every weld you do is X-ray. This level of skill now days is in short supply. For those of you who does structual, stick or Mig, Start learning Tig welding chrome, stainless steel, aluminium pipe welding. This is where the money is at, not fab. shops or local companies. Get real good at this type of welding where you can pass any X-ray test you take and see how fast you go to work. Apply at tradejobsforum.com..
January 17th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
union welders are the best!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:56 am
As a welder I have not been out of work for more than 2 months for almost 20 years. The key is being able to adapt and re-invent yourself. You may have to go on the road for a few weeks at a time. You may have to learn other skills. (Welding is not a trade, but only a skill or craft to get you in the door.) You have to learn how to rigg, fit, do demolition, work refinerys etc. Don’t restrict yourself to just one thing. Yes there is a shortage of welders, why? because our children are taught that if you have to get dirty for a living you are a loser.
We cannot be all doctors, lawyers, programmers….someone has to do the dirty work.
March 20th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I have been welding for 9 years. I have my own portable business and do aluminum, stainless, and black. I live in a farm dominant community and what i find is a lack of skilled welders also. There are plenty of people that think they can weld trying to come onto job sites. With the shortage of welders here many of these people are gettin a high dollar for less than half way adequite work. But this shortage at the same time is goof for me also, as i can travel out of state and be competitively priced on jobs as lots of locals charge huge hourly rates. Also, i find the people coming out of college think their shit don’t stink and know everything about the industry and take no head to us with expirience. this is not true in all cases mind you, but for the majority it is. And i agree with Bassett above me, children are taught that. And I would reach out to put the phrase ” spoiled rotten” in many cases.
March 21st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Being a welder of 30+yr welding on farm equipment to ocean going barges you get the idea. I feel the biggest reason for welder shortage is a lack of real funding for decent metal courses in high schools. Kids these days are coming out of schools and don’t know how to read a tape
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
My husband has been a welder for over 30 years. He is the best of the best. He is honest and not afraid of hard work. Problem is he can’t find work. So if there is a shortage…He is your man. He got laid off in October from a job that he was with for over 10 years and it has been kinda rough. We live in in San Diego and not much is happening out in this area. He can fabricate anything out of anything. He is also a heavy equipment mechanic. Welding is indeed a trade as well as a skill. I guess it is all in how you decide to look at it. Tommy (my Hubby) has perfected his trade and is very skilled at what he does. So if you know anyone that wants this for their company…let us know. We are looking for a company to call home.
May 30th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
it use to be ( welding was a trade) a form of art really. But in the last 15 years the manufacturing industry considers it a job that anybody can do.And believe me, THEY CAN’T. I would like to see the welder manufactures stress to the manufacturing industry that only properly trained and experience welders should be welding. For the SAFTY OF EVERYBODY!
June 10th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Join the military and put that welding skill to work. The work is satisfying, the benefit and retirement package is unbeatable, and you will make friends for life.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:39 am
If there is a welder shortage I don’t see it. Worked for the same fab shop in Northern New Jersey for 23 years until they closed the doors. Looked around for a while to see what jobs were available & nothing but low pay welding jobs. Even the ones that wanted skills (tig for al & ss) were only paying $15 hour. I’m out on my own welding, working everyday & making a wage but if my wife didn’t have a good job we’d be in trouble. One of my tenants told me that the ironworkers local is thinking about shutting down its apprentice welding program because they have so many welders sitting that even if it gets busy they will be able to cover it without being short. I also agree that most employers don’t know the skill level involved & hence the low ball wages. They also lump all welding together wether your migging trash containers or welding pressure vessels.
January 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 pm
After reading this article and from my own experiance in the welding trade for over 25yrs as a weldor/fabricator being qualified in 6-g & f-3 positions at a former company in Indiana. I have been listed as a class-A welder leadman- supervisor at other local companies along with set-up train new guys in the field
of welding trade, prototypes new product design & build jigs,fixtures I am still unemployed in the state of Michigan and the major working weldor pay is around 10-14 pr hr IF you get hired. So I have looked at moving to other states were they may have more welding jobs that pay enough to live on.
Am I certified NO but I can be if I pay the fees to be, I do have the knowledge but no papers to prove my skills–(or so they say)
Thanks for listening to my view–Dave Ferris-Coldwater,Michigan.