Careers · Skilled Trades
Want practical work that helps produce vehicles, machinery, buildings, or other industrial goods? Welders use specialized equipment and processes to join and fix metal parts. This guide covers the job itself, the abilities employers seek, ways to find training, certifications that may help, and where to look for welding jobs.
Start exploring: Build Your Free Skills Wallet or Find Welding Jobs.
Using heat—and, when the job calls for it, pressure—welders join metal parts into strong connections. Their work can involve assembling industrial equipment, fabricating structures, repairing machinery, or handling construction projects. Some stay in shops with controlled workstations; others travel to construction and maintenance sites.
The work can involve interpreting drawings and weld specifications, preparing metal, choosing equipment, completing welds, and checking the finished product. Job titles vary—production welder, structural welder, fabrication welder, welding technician, and welding apprentice are all common examples. Requirements differ by employer, so read each posting closely.
What you do depends on the industry, materials, welding method, workplace, and your experience. For an independent overview of the occupation, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics guide to welding careers.
GMAW
Gas metal arc welding—better known as MIG welding—uses a welding gun to feed a wire electrode into the joint. Fabrication shops and manufacturers rely on it extensively. It often appears early in a beginner’s training, yet steady, high-quality welds still take proper instruction and practice.
GTAW
TIG, short for gas tungsten arc welding, uses a tungsten electrode that does not melt, giving the welder precise control. It is often chosen for demanding work on materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, though producing a clean weld takes steady hand coordination and experience.
SMAW
Shielded metal arc welding—usually called stick welding—uses a flux-coated electrode that melts during the weld. Construction crews and repair workers often use it in the field, where trainees must know how to choose the right electrode, control the welding position, and handle the equipment safely.
FCAW
FCAW feeds a tubular wire filled with flux into the weld. The process is used across fabrication, structural work, and production settings, with specific requirements determined by the equipment, material, and welding procedure.
Don’t try to learn every process at once. Start by checking the requirements for welding jobs in your area, then choose training that fits the kind of welding work you plan to do.
Welding exposes workers to fumes, ultraviolet radiation, intense heat, electricity, and fire. Follow the safety procedures set by your employer or training provider, especially those covering protective equipment, ventilation, and tool use. If you have not received the right training and supervision, do not attempt hazardous welding work.
A drawing gives the welder two basic answers: where each component goes and what the completed assembly should look like. The technical documents may also set out dimensions, joint preparation, weld type, and inspection requirements. Start by building your blueprint reading skills.
Good fabrication starts with accurate measurements and properly prepared joints. Before welding, confirm the fit-up and make sure the materials are correct. These basics apply to repair jobs, production work, and structural fabrication.
A welder must know how to set up the equipment, control travel speed, hold the right position, and meet the job’s quality standards. Some assignments also call for knowledge of formal welding procedures and inspection methods.
Reliable welders understand instructions, catch problems early, record their work, and speak clearly with supervisors, inspectors, and coworkers. Careful attention to detail reduces defects and avoids rework.
Compare entry-level welding jobs in production, fabrication, structural work, and maintenance. Find out which welding processes employers use, then check whether each position involves a shop, travel, shifts, or outdoor work.
Start with measurement, basic math, identifying metals, reading technical drawings, workplace safety, and common welding terms. High school career and technical education courses can provide a useful foundation.
Possible paths include vocational school, community college, a technical certificate, an apprenticeship, or supervised training with an employer. Compare the equipment you will actually use, the instructors’ qualifications, what the course covers, its schedule and price, and whether it prepares you for a credential.
Under qualified supervision, practice preparing materials, operating equipment safely, following welding procedures, and checking completed work. Choose training that covers the processes used in the jobs you plan to pursue.
Some employers require welders to pass a hands-on test covering a specific process, material, position, or code. Review the American Welding Society certification information, then confirm which qualification and licenses apply to the job and location you want. You can also explore the AWS Certified Welder pathway on Hidden Talent.
Record the processes you’ve practiced, the equipment you’ve handled, completed projects, safety training, and verified qualifications. Store them in your Hidden Talent Skills Wallet, then browse openings through the Find Jobs page.
How long training takes varies with the program, the welding methods taught, and the skill level expected. A brief course may cover only the basics; technical programs and apprenticeships usually require more time. Classroom lessons alone are rarely enough, since new welders generally need supervised work experience before they meet workplace standards.
Look for strong hands-on training, solid safety instruction, and skills that local employers need—not a program that simply promises to finish quickly.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $53,750 median annual wage in May 2025 for the combined occupation of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. That figure covers the national midpoint across the group; it does not promise that a welder will earn that amount when starting out. Actual pay depends on location, experience, industry, schedule, and specialized qualifications.
$53,750
Median annual wage (May 2025) for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
2%
Projected employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for this occupational group
40,300
Average openings each year, including roles created when workers leave the field
From 2025 to 2035, BLS expects employment in this occupational group to grow by 2%, with about 40,300 openings each year on average, including positions created when workers leave the field. Check the latest BLS wage and job-outlook data, then compare those figures with current local listings.
Welding employers across Ohio’s manufacturing, fabrication, construction, and maintenance sectors may look for different qualifications and hands-on skills. Before choosing local training, confirm that it covers the welding processes and safety practices employers in your target area actually require.
Visit the Ohio career and training hub, then search current welding jobs. Contact providers directly to confirm schedules, tuition, program status, and available positions before you decide. You can also review Ohio ETPL welding training pathways.
Some people may use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services to explore eligible training. Eligible individuals may receive funding, but the applicable workforce agency decides both eligibility and whether funds are available. Being listed in a directory does not mean a person will qualify or that tuition will be covered. For current guidance, contact the appropriate local workforce agency.
Search related titles carefully and match your real experience to each posting. Employers do not always use the same job names, so read process and certification requirements closely.
See welding jobs in Ohio, along with other listings on the Hidden Talent Find Jobs page.
Hidden Talent helps job seekers find career options, recognize their relevant skills, record their experience, and locate training or work opportunities. Interested in welding? Start with a skills profile, then see where you still want to grow.
Build Your Free Skills Wallet, check your skills gaps, or find a personalized learning pathway.
Usually, no. Most welding positions expect a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical instruction and workplace training. Some employers may also ask for hands-on qualifications or certifications.
Yes, in some cases. Certain employers and apprenticeship programs take on beginners, and basic training followed by supervised practice can help you qualify for entry-level work.
MIG welding feeds the electrode continuously as the work progresses. TIG uses a tungsten electrode that does not get consumed, giving the welder finer control. Proper training and safe working practices matter with either method.
According to the BLS, the U.S. median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $53,750 in May 2025. Actual pay varies by welding job, and beginners may earn substantially less.
Some employers and projects require certification or a qualification test tied to the job. The answer depends on the work involved, the relevant codes, and local rules.
Hidden Talent offers tools for exploring careers and finding jobs. You can create a Skills Wallet, look through learning options, and search available positions, but employers make the hiring decisions.
Welding careers begin with solid fundamentals and safe, hands-on practice. Choose training that fits the work you want, keep track of what you learn, and look for new opportunities as your skills improve.
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