Doing this for a living?

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Ok, some quick background, and then my questions. For the past 10 years I've worked for the same company (Coca Cola) as a maintenance mechanic. My job entails all sorts of stuff, from fixing all types of manufacturing equipment, to fabrication, to building repair. I started welding when I was about 16, just minor automotive MIG stuff in the garage on my lowriders. I started at Coke, and learned TIG and brazing and stick welding. We do a lot of Stainless TIG, and over the past couple of years I've done a bunch of Chromemoly in my personal shop (I build drag cars, lowriders, occasional chopper, and old customs). I have a whole lot to learn,  after poking around this sight I might as well be using bubble gum compared to the rest of everyone's beautiful welds. Anyway, I'm getting laid off in the next month. There no chance for rehire, as they are closing my plant for good. I haven't really spent a ton of time job hunting yet, but I'm sure I can find work as a mechanic at another plant making close to what I currently make. The problem is, I don't much care for that type of work. I really like the fabrication side of it. What does it take to get into being a welder/fabricator as a profession? I assume schooling is involved, but what exactly for? I live in Rochester NY, not sure how much of a demand there is for it here. Can I get a rough idea as to how much I can expect to earn? I went to school to be a machinist, and that what I did for a few years out of high school before the place I worked for closed down, and I wound up at Coke. I'm sorry for my ignorance, but now seems about the right time to make a career change if possible. Thanks in advance for any info
Reply:Your pay as a weldor depends heavily on what type of welding you are qualified to do and where you are willing to travel.  Weldor pay ranges all the way from $8-$12 an hour up to over $100K a year.Average might be between $17 and $25 an hour for a fab shop or shipyard.  The best pay goes out to rig weldors who have their own trucks and travel and live on the road to do pipeline and oilfield work.You could be trained in as little as 6-9 months if you went to one of the major welding schools.  Some community collges have certificate programs that run 1 or 2 semesters, or if you are up to it, you can earn an AS in welding technology in as little as 2 years.  That would qualify you for a pretty good job as a welding engineering technician.I would start by looking at all the weldor jobs in the New York State Job database:http://www.americasjobexchange.com/nyKeep in mind, pay at the state employment office may be lower since they attract all the people too cheap to pay for an ad at Carbuilder.com or Monster.com or through a major newspaper.Last edited by obewan; 09-21-2009 at 01:36 PM.
Reply:Check with your local chamber of commerce, inquire about their business start up programs, around here you can attend their programs for free, and they can give you a wealth of info on how to obtain licenses, starting a business, making a business model and what to do first as well as help with figuring out if their is a market demand in your area!A little extra schooling never hurts, check out not only welding courses, but also business classes, knowledge gained could benefit you in the long run and help you avoid the pitfalls that plague new business startups that never quite take off, or falter because of bad decisions!Good luck!Ken.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Be sure to check the American Welding Society. There's a ton of information there, including a School Locator based on zip code.http://www.aws.org/w/sense/Good luck!-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at  www.JoeWelder.comall powered by  www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:Thank you all for the responses. I will check out the links you've provided and start doing some research.
Reply:Obewon~~~~~~>DIDDO! You have the skill if you can do what you say to go in on entry level.  Being prob 15 bucks an hour here in texas but up there the standard of living is way more expensive in NY so it will prob be more for you. I started as a shop b(*ch when i was 16. Im 21 now and I am running a shop with 23 welders in it. I am the youngest forman the weld shop has ever had and it is def challenging at times to get respect from the oldschools. But my point is i never went to school. Not bashing it but i have had a lot of resume's go over my table with people with and without school. None of it matters only thing that matters is when that coupon goes to test. I would say screw school.Weldandpower 225Heliarc Rig for itTorchesect ect ectLifes Short WELD NAKEDLooking for a SA200
Reply:We just got done taking applications for a welder/mechanic at the power plant I work at, it pays very well and is on the eastern side of NY. I went to school to be a machinist then went in the Navy to work on gas turbines and electronics. When I got out I went to work at a power plant and have done everything from sweep the floors to management. Brookfield power has an opening in Medina, NY about 50-60 miles from Rochester for a maintenance mechainc helper and from the guys I know that work for that company I would guess that to pay around $20 hr to start. A mechanic welder is probably between $30-38 hr with them.BrookfieldNRGruns a couple of the old Niagara Mohawk plant they would be another good one to watch.There are a bunch of other power plant companies in the area but I can't think of them right now, if you know where there is a plant find out the company and look on hteir website to see if they have openings. They can be really good jobs where you don't have to go on the road and you can do different things all the time.“Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!”
Reply:Originally Posted by bigwhitebeastWe just got done taking applications for a welder/mechanic at the power plant I work at, it pays very well and is on the eastern side of NY. I went to school to be a machinist then went in the Navy to work on gas turbines and electronics. When I got out I went to work at a power plant and have done everything from sweep the floors to management. Brookfield power has an opening in Medina, NY about 50-60 miles from Rochester for a maintenance mechainc helper and from the guys I know that work for that company I would guess that to pay around $20 hr to start. A mechanic welder is probably between $30-38 hr with them.BrookfieldNRGruns a couple of the old Niagara Mohawk plant they would be another good one to watch.There are a bunch of other power plant companies in the area but I can't think of them right now, if you know where there is a plant find out the company and look on hteir website to see if they have openings. They can be really good jobs where you don't have to go on the road and you can do different things all the time.
Reply:look up tulsa welding school, 7 month master welder program.
Reply:Did you get any trade or welding tickets while working at Coke? If so, your already set to go looking for a new job. If not, school may be your best bet. You said you went to school to be a machinist. Do you have a machinist ticket?JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720