Welder & Fabricator Career Guide
Pay, Certifications & Career Path

What Does a Welder Do?

Welders join metal components using heat and specialized equipment — from structural steel on skyscrapers to precision components in aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding. Certified welders with specialty skills (underwater welding, pipe welding, aerospace) command some of the highest hourly rates in the trades, often exceeding $50–$80/hour for contract and specialty work.

Why People Choose This Trade

• Highly portable skills — welders find work in construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, shipbuilding, and aerospace
• AWS certifications are recognized globally and open international job opportunities
• Specialty and contract work commands premium rates well above journeyman scale
• Satisfying, tangible work — you build things that last decades
• Growing demand in shipbuilding, defense manufacturing, and infrastructure repair

A Typical Day

• Setting up welding equipment and inspecting materials for defects
• Reading weld symbols on blueprints and engineering drawings
• Performing MIG, TIG, stick, or flux-core welds depending on application
• Grinding, cleaning, and inspecting completed welds for quality
• Working in confined spaces, elevated positions, or outdoor environments