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Hey everybody, first post here. I know that this question has probably been beat to death about 100,000+ times; But here it is again!Is welding a solid career?A little bit about myself, I'm currently an EMT. My first choice to go to college was going to be welding, but due to health issues with my immediate family requiring EMS to be called, something inside of me felt emotionally compelled to go EMS instead. Now, I enjoy EMS, but I don't want to do it for a long time. It simply isn't for me after 2+ years at the job full time. I went back to my community college, and got really lucky and was skipped ahead of 200+ people to get into the Welding program starting this summer. I'm actually very excited about it and the program (associates degree) includes certification in mig, tig, and arc, flux core, and it also has an additional certification in AutoCAD/blueprint reading. So basically, I have been doing an ungodly bit of research and would like to hear from people who are experienced in the field. I just want to be able to support myself without room mates (something my salary would never let me do right now), and get into something where there is room for advancement, as well as overall job satisfaction. Thanks everyone, sorry about the short novel.
Reply:Thanks! I look forward to learning more about the field on here, as well as when I'm training.
Reply:if you're already an emt go to medical school. welding is hot heavy work and sometimes dangerous. there's lots easier way's to make money.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I can curse my job every day but its all b.s. because I still do it. imo, the only ways to really make good money, and I hope I don't offend anybody here, are to either work for a strong union or freelance. there are welding jobs that pay just above minimum wage. there are welding jobs that pay 100+ dollars per hour. the processes and skill vary slightly between those ranges, the pay rate comes mostly from how much time you want to spend away from home.it is a huge area, I have made anywhere between 9.50$ per hour and 60$ per hour doing the same thing. its all about how you market yourself, and what and where you are working.luckily there is still some sort of stigma that pipe welding is difficult, so it seems to be the least amount of work for the money, but I don't think for long. but a guy welding pipe could make less than a guy that sits down and welds little non-critical doo-dads if he failed to market himself or failed to join a strong union.and I keep saying STRONG union. in my area, you don't see union pipefitters/welders. they don't get a lot of work. the ones you run into may make more per hour, but they make less per year because they are too expensive. you have to be wary of that.take the classes, learn to weld, but don't take any job that offers 1 cent less than emt. unless you are like me and seeing people with misplaced parts makes you feel funny but not in a funny way.bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:What is your location ? Are you going to travel or relocate for work ? Like stated, it's how aggressive you are, marketing yourself, and being the best you can be.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1What is your location ? Are you going to travel or relocate for work ? Like stated, it's how aggressive you are, marketing yourself, and being the best you can be.
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderif you're already an emt go to medical school. welding is hot heavy work and sometimes dangerous. there's lots easier way's to make money.