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Hey guys, im still in highschool and have two years left to go, but afterwords i am planning on going to college for 2 years and i want to learn how to pipe weld with tig and stick, and i was also thinking about doing some underwater welding. I was wondering if anyone on here is in these fields and if so could you tell me what the pay and benefits are like, basically what can i expect if i want to become a pipe welder or underwater welder? thanks.
Reply:I suggest you get in contact with the Steamfitters and Boilermaker's Union, and inquire about their apprenticeship program."Good Enough Never Is"MIller AC/DC  ThunderboltHobart HH180, 125EZRiland Cut 40 Plasma oxy/act  outfitTons of "stuff", all treasures to me!
Reply:UA.orgI spoke to a pipeliner a few weeks back that made 260k last year. He has a truck set up for pipeline work.
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesUA.orgI spoke to a pipeliner a few weeks back that made 260k last year. He has a truck set up for pipeline work.
Reply:It means he has a pick up with a flatbed set up with a gas or deisel powered welder. He has all the stuff on the truck to put together any pipe he may need to. I dont know exactly what is on the truck besides the welder and Oxy/Acy bottles.Not really self employed, but they hire out of a hiring hall and go to who ever calls for weldors.These guys I spoke to were out of 598 in Pasco, Washington, but 798 (Alaska?) has much of the pipeline work in many states.I worked with one guy last year that left the job we were on to go to New York with his truck to make 7k a week for 5 months. Good money.
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesIt means he has a pick up with a flatbed set up with a gas or deisel powered welder. He has all the stuff on the truck to put together any pipe he may need to. I dont know exactly what is on the truck besides the welder and Oxy/Acy bottles.Not really self employed, but they hire out of a hiring hall and go to who ever calls for weldors.These guys I spoke to were out of 598 in Pasco, Washington, but 798 (Alaska?) has much of the pipeline work in many states.I worked with one guy last year that left the job we were on to go to New York with his truck to make 7k a week for 5 months. Good money.
Reply:798 is out of OK Originally Posted by WHughesIt means he has a pick up with a flatbed set up with a gas or deisel powered welder. He has all the stuff on the truck to put together any pipe he may need to. I dont know exactly what is on the truck besides the welder and Oxy/Acy bottles.Not really self employed, but they hire out of a hiring hall and go to who ever calls for weldors.These guys I spoke to were out of 598 in Pasco, Washington, but 798 (Alaska?) has much of the pipeline work in many states.I worked with one guy last year that left the job we were on to go to New York with his truck to make 7k a week for 5 months. Good money.
Reply:So can anyone tell me what I would start off making welding pipe or doing underwater work, and what i could eventually work up to making? thanks!
Reply:I think some one is dreaming out loud here. People don't go to school for a 2 year course and then make 200K a year, right after graduating . If ya don't mind being on the road and driving all over hel, (single men only) than ya might make decent money. but not until you have been out there doing the work for years. and of course, ya better be a good welder.....
Reply:Originally Posted by delwelds798 is out of OK
Reply:Originally Posted by 1awert1I think some one is dreaming out loud here. People don't go to school for a 2 year course and then make 200K a year, right after graduating . If ya don't mind being on the road and driving all over hel, (single men only) than ya might make decent money. but not until you have been out there doing the work for years. and of course, ya better be a good welder.....
Reply:Originally Posted by mitch93And my uncle didn't even go to college and he pipe welds so if he can do it why can't I,.
Reply:Originally Posted by BNFHow come you didn't ask your uncle then?
Reply:i also wanted to know about underwater welding, if anyone could tell me what thats like.
Reply:I cant, but you are on the right track here. The money is in pipe. Underwater welding is just a romantic aspect of welding. Its exotic and people like to say underwater welding. Go for welding first, take dive classes if you want. Then mix the two and you may do it once in a while. Welding on dry land will pay your bills, and welding under water may take you on vacation now and then. Its cool but its not everything.Oh, and UA apprenticeship classes are accredited college courses so they will count towards your degree. In my local, you only need to complete 2 other classes online to complete your degree. It may be different in other parts of the country.Like I said before, You are on the right track here. We may not all agree on things but you will find enough information here to make an informed opinion.Bill
Reply:Just get the welding down. Burn lots of rod and get the confidence up that you can weld anything form a broken heart to the crack of dawn and you will go far. Probably not down the same path you are dreaming but one of them. Welding careers depend a lot on the economy and how old and crippled up you are when you really know how to weld. An oil boom and they give money away. No oil boom and there are to many welders to be able to find a job. Have to work at Mcdonalds. Ha.
Reply:As the others here have said, during boom times, the jobs are plentiful.  Businesses are forced to hire the poorly skilled as well.   During the down times, the dummies are the first to go.  As important as welding skills are, reading, composition, spelling, grammar, punctuation are just as important.  I see these are lacking in your postings.  If your welding skills are equal to the other guy, but he can string words together correctly, why would company ABC keep the illiterate person?  You may unexpectedly meet a person in a position to hire you.  Remember, you never get a second chance at a first impression.  Get in the habit of expressing your self in an educated manner.
Reply:Originally Posted by mitch93i also wanted to know about underwater welding, if anyone could tell me what thats like.
Reply:Thanks guys, all of you for all the great advice and information. I'm just trying to get my plan set so i can start preparing for it, mostly, i know i have two years to go yet before i need to decide but im a man of action and I try to get things done and figured out a soon as possible. You guys have helped tremendously. Thanks againmitch