Choosing a challenging and rewarding career is one of the most important decisions we make in life.
Most people spend at least one-third of their time working, if not more. It is important to enjoy the work you choose.
There are many advantages of becoming a welder. If you’re interested in welding, make sure you know these 5 rewarding benefits of a welding career.
1. Good Wages
A welding career promises a steady, sizable paycheck.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the median annual salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was more than $42,000 in 2019.
As you develop your skills as a welder, your salary will increase. Underwater welders, for example, earn a median salary of $53,000.
2. Welders are in High Demand
According to the American Welding Society, the U.S. will have a shortage of 375,000 welders by 2023.
To put this shortage into perspective, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost 439,000 welding jobs existed in 2019.
The welding workforce needs to grow by nearly 90% over the next three years to meet market demand.
Over the next decade, the U.S. and other nation’s aging infrastructure will require the expertise of welders to help rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings.
A career in welding promises robust opportunities and job security.
3. A Welding Career Offers Opportunity for Advancement
Talented welders are in high demand. As a result, anyone who chooses welding as a career can quickly work their way through the ranks.
Generally, welders work in teams, and each team has a manager.
The goal of many welders is to not just weld but to manage other welders as well.
Unlike other professions where reaching management takes years of work, welding allows anyone who is talented, hard-working, and ambitious to quickly reach management levels.
It’s not uncommon to find welders straight out of apprenticeships being assigned management positions.
4. A Welding Career is Achievable
Unlike many in-demand professions, having a welding career does not require years of study and expensive degrees or certifications. A welding career is achievable for everyone.
In fact, becoming a welder requires no formal education.
Welding is a profession of experience. The path to success as a welder is straightforward – learn the basics of welding and practice the craft until you master it.
The more you know and the more experience you have, the better you are as a welder.
But welding is a great career because it offers the opportunity to enter a profession with few educational requirements.
5. You Can Start Your Own Welding Business
When you begin your career as a welder, you are not agreeing to work for others for the rest of your life.
As a welder, you will see ample opportunities to work independently of your full-time job.
Whether it is manufacturing your own products, contract work on your holidays, or other side gigs, welding provides plenty of options to earn income outside of your full-time job.
This independent work can quickly become a full-time business. Welding firms such as Accurweld Company are built by talented welders with an entrepreneurial bent.
A career in welding allows anyone with the ambition the opportunity to build a business.
Learn More About Building a Welding Career
A welding career is possible for everyone. Welding is a highly in-demand skillset that promises a steady paycheck and job security.
With dedication, you can quickly rise to management, or even start your own business. Few other careers offer such stability and opportunity.
For more information on exciting construction careers, check out the posts on our website.