Welder

Welders use specialized equipment to join and shape metal components in a wide range of settings, from construction sites to manufacturing facilities. They work with tools such as hand-welding, flame-cutting, soldering, and brazing equipment to fuse metals or repair structural elements. Their work is essential to building and maintaining the infrastructure and equipment that support industries, including energy and transportation.

Career Snapshot:

Wage Text Here

per year*

Entry to Senior Level

Manufacturing & Industrial Systems

*Estimates are not to be used as fact. Based on publicly available sources.

The Path to Becoming

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Welder

Step 1

Earn

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High School Diploma or GED

Resources:

Inland Career Education Center

Inland Adult Education Consortium

Southwest Riverside Adult Education

Step 2

Earn a Postsecondary Certificate

Required Training:

Standards Occupational Classifications (SOC) code

SOC 51-4121

Training Programs and Resources:

Welding

-

Summit College

Welding Technology

-

Riverside City College

Welding Technology

-

Victor Valley College

Welding Fabrication

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Center for Employment Training (CET)

Welding

-

College of the Desert

Welding Inspection Certificate

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San Bernardino Valley College

Welding Technology Certificate

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San Bernardino Valley College

Welding

-

Universal Technical Institute

Fundamentals of Fabrication

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The Fab School

Step 3

Find a position or apprenticeship

Required Training:

This career typically involves

6-months on-the-job training

A Day in the Life

As

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Welder

you can expect to perform these tasks frequently:

Follow safety protocols and operate welding equipment, tools, and safety gear to ensure a safe working environment. Interpret blueprints and specifications to plan layouts, select materials, and determine appropriate welding methods and equipment. Prepare, position, and secure metal workpieces, including cleaning, cutting, grinding, aligning, and preheating materials. Perform welding, soldering, and metal fabrication using various techniques, materials, and positions while monitoring for quality and distortion. Inspect finished work, repair defects, and maintain equipment, ensuring all welds and components meet required specifications.

Required skills:

What It Takes

Welder

often have these skills:

Operation and Control

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Controlling operations of equipment or systems, including tools, machinery, and processes.

Operations Monitoring

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Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine or system is working correctly.

Quality Control Analysis

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Conducting tests and inspections to evaluate quality or performance of products, services, or systems.

Mechanical Knowledge

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Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Technical Systems Knowledge

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Understanding the components, functions, and interrelationships of complex technical systems.

Production Processes

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Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, and techniques for manufacturing goods.

Technical Drawing Interpretation

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Reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to guide work accurately.

Find careers that fit your skillset

Career Outlook

210

Employees in

2023

200

Employees in

2032

+

5%

Projected
Growth Rate

200

Annual Projected
Job Openings

Related Occupations

Other paths to consider:

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Welder

Career Snapshot:

The Path to Becoming

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