Top 5 Highest Paying Welding Jobs

It’s no secret that welders are among the highest-paid tradespeople and in this article I will go over the highest paying welding jobs.

This hands-on profession allows welders to work in a variety of industrial and construction settings – giving individuals an opportunity to gain and build invaluable skills in the field.

It’s these skills and the experience that come with them that increases a welder’s earning potential.

If you are a welder, but hesitant to make a move to a new industry, keep in mind that welding jobs remain high in demand and some pay some very good money.

Keep reading to learn more on the highest paying welding jobs:

Are Welding Jobs In Demand?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, welding jobs are expected to rise by 3% in the next ten years. 

Welding jobs continue to grow because this is the method of working with metal preferred by most industries.

And the nature of those industries is vast – from the skies to the seas, welders are necessary for the fabrication, repair and maintenance of specialized equipment.

The great thing about a career in welding is that you can take your skills and experience in one field and apply them to another!

If you’re already welding as a vocation, but are ready to move into a field with higher pay, here are five of the highest-paying welding jobs:

Pipe Welder

Pipeline welding involves the assembly, maintenance and installation of structural units and piping systems. 

These jobs can be found in manufacturing and fabrication industries as well as municipalities and the oil and gas industry.

This is a physically demanding position that requires individuals to work both in indoor and outdoor construction environments.

However, this is more than just a labor job! Pipe welders not only use specialized tools to complete the job but must also use critical thinking skills to solve on-site problems.

Average yearly salary: $84,507

Aerospace Welder

This exciting field of welding focuses on equipment and technology found in airplanes, space shuttles and similar structures.

Aerospace welders use the appropriate welding equipment, such as arc welders and blowtorches, to fuse together pieces to build or repair a variety of aircraft.

It requires that welders work with various types of metal including stainless steel and aluminum. Since these materials can be difficult to work with, they require special PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

The environment can be challenging too since aerospace welders are expected to work in a number of different environments and positions.

For example, you may find yourself welding over your head, in a vertical position or in a flat position. You may be required to work high in the air.

This is not a position for novice welders and requires skill, focus and strength.

Average yearly salary: $61,772

Military Support Welder

Military support welders are responsible for maintaining military equipment, transportation and combat-related equipment.

They are also involved in other military operations such as welding tunnel entrances to underground water and power supplies.

This job role could have you working within your country or traveling overseas.

To become a military support welder, you simply need to enlist in the military – no prior welding qualifications are necessary. The military provides a welding training course.

If you have a welding ticket, you still need to take the course. However, you may be able to expedite your training with your prior education and experience.

Average yearly salary: $54,351

Underwater Welder

Underwater welding is another challenging position that requires an individual to have experience welding before studying to become a commercial diver.

Welding underwater is a similar process to welding on land, using the same basic equipment and techniques.

However, doing so underwater can be dangerous – which is why specialized training is required to mitigate safety risks.

Commonly, commercial divers/underwater welders work on oil rigs, ship salvage operations and any other situation that requires welding to be performed underwater.

There are two categories of underwater welding: dry and wet.

Dry welding involves the use of a hyperbaric chamber that is deployed underwater to provide a dry environment. Wet welding is just as it sounds – welding while directly in water.

Average yearly salary: $67,993

Certified Welding Supervisor

A certified welding supervisor is responsible for a team of qualified welders and welding operators. Their main responsibility lies in ensuring their workers are operating in accordance with approved welding procedures.

They are also responsible for coordinating each welder on the project as well as monitoring progress and ensuring the safety of their workers.

To become a certified welding supervisor, you typically require a high school diploma in addition to at least three years of practical welding experience in a fabrication, construction or welding-related industry.

To achieve certification, individuals are required to complete a training course.

Getting certifications will open doors for you to land the highest paying welding jobs in the industry.

Average yearly salary: $72,208

Conclusion

It goes without saying that there are some high paying jobs in the world of welding! This is only just a short list of the highest paying welding jobs and as you can see with the numbers you can build a comfortable life working this trade.

If you’re looking to increase your earning potential, you may want to consider a move to one of these highest-paying welding jobs.

If you’re new to the welding world and want to learn how to weld check out Welder 101 Training Course.