A Career in Welding for an Older Worker??

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Hi guys,I am 55 years old, and have been an electronics engineer working in Silicon Valley for many years.  I am now one burnt-out guy in that particular field.    However, I have always had an interest in arc welding (even took classes in the mid 1970's).  My question is for you folks who are professional welders:  How possible would it be for me to actually get employment in the welding field at my age (FYI: I am thin and in good shape;  "wirey")?  And is it possible to receive a half-way decent salary (+$20/hour) without traveling and working for months on domestic oil rigs, pipelines, or offshore -- or worse;  being on some production line? (My interests lie more towards maintenance welding.)  I plan on getting as many certs as possible in both stick and MIG before I even try to get a job, since I obviously don't have enough "time" to be a welder's apprentice for 5 years!  Is this a ridiculous dream, or is it do-able?  Along with my lack of work experience, would I be employable at my "advanced" age?   Many thanks!-Bill
Reply:learning to weld and making +20 an hr is somewhat of a dream.. schooling is a startthat is what is going on in the apprenticeship 5 yr of train welding working to make Journeymanunless you are real talented and learn all .. most start new welders out a school will be 10- 15 if lucky mostly 10but the dream is do-able some schools ( local CC an tech ) offer 3-4 month classes and trade schools can be from 3 months to 2-4 yrsidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I am changing my post completely and I am going to do the most difficult thing.I am going to say what I feel is the truth.At your AGE I do not think your plan is workable. I know it is not fair.But like MANY engineers who want to make and do things and get away from a desk and a phone whatever.you can still enjoy yourself and take welding classes and get some certifications at the welding college.You may meet others in your welding classes with similar interests who can tell you about opportunities.I know this is harsh.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 02-17-2011 at 01:58 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Bill where do you live.   That can make a difference too.   Like Donald said its not impossible.  As a independant welder I charge $55 an hour.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:Thanks for the honest answers, guys.  I was kind of afraid of that, since I know employers like to hire young whipper-snappers so they can mold them into exactly what the employer wants, as well as being able to work the poor kids to death without hearing any complaints. (Especially in my engineering field: the salaried hours -- no over-time -- could be as high as 80 hours a week.  Ugg! ).I moved from San Jose, CA, here to northeast Mississippi to retire when I was 53, but I would now like to get back to work and not have to go back to Silicon Valley, Kalifornia.  And even if I wanted to work in engineering again, there are simply no jobs available in my field within a 100 mile radius -- but there are always jobs in welding (of various high and low pay scales and assorted good/bad work conditions!) .Therefore, I think I will change course a bit:  I'll re-learn welding, obtain simple certs in arc and MIG, and then I'll at least have a local career option, even if the pay itself is quite low, at least I'll be able to do something I like.  I think this idea should fly, just so long as my pay expectations are not too high… -Bill
Reply:I am a welding engineer who just got out of the jet engine parts business.One of our best weldors was in his late 50's when he hired on.  He had been in industrial sales for 35 years on the road the whole time.He got his pay bumped up to $23 an hour and was quite happy with his job making custom parts for jets by hand out of aerospace superalloys.
Reply:Therefore, I think I will change course a bit: I'll re-learn welding, obtain simple certs in arc and MIG, and then I'll at least have a local career option, even if the pay itself is quite low, at least I'll be able to do something I like. I think this idea should fly, just so long as my pay expectations are not too high… -Bill Great attitude Bill.   One thing to think of is if you can put down quality welds all the time age isnt as big of a factor.  Personally I would stay away from mig production shops.   Low pay and not much room to move up.  Been there and done that.  I would focus on applying anywhere that requires certifications like stick, dual shield, structural wire or tig.  There may be better work in the future with higher pay in those jobs.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:Originally Posted by galencwiTherefore, I think I will change course a bit: I'll re-learn welding, obtain simple certs in arc and MIG, and then I'll at least have a local career option, even if the pay itself is quite low, at least I'll be able to do something I like. I think this idea should fly, just so long as my pay expectations are not too high… -Bill Great attitude Bill.   One thing to think of is if you can put down quality welds all the time age isnt as big of a factor.  Personally I would stay away from mig production shops.   Low pay and not much room to move up.  Been there and done that.  I would focus on applying anywhere that requires certifications like stick, dual shield, structural wire or tig.  There may be better work in the future with higher pay in those jobs.
Reply:Hey Bill,Well, I'm gonna give you a bit of encouragement &, at least, allow you see that your age is not a detriment to getting hired. First, you gotta get some good training, ie., vo-tech/college welding program, & really bear down learning & getting as much practice as you can. There are many avenues in the welding arena & your weaning should start with SMAW(stick), O/A, & MIG. These are the building blocks to get a good grasp on metals/thicknesses/grades that will vary daily.I am now 67, finally retired from the employer gig as our company closed last year. I have my own small welding/fab/machine shop at home & still weld/fab every day. It becomes a passion. When I started with my last company, I had already retired twice. I was 55 when I saw this ad for a local company 7mi from home looking for a metal dept. foreman. I applied with a resume to illustrate my experience & they hired me on the spot....that was in '08. Back then, I had 36 yrs of welding experience in every process + a couple odd ones. They said since they needed to see if I could do what they were seeking regarding production improvements, they offered $17.50/hr + bennies. After 6mos, with the cost reduction applications I implemented(all documented), I was over $21/hr. It was a good place to work, straight daylight, 5day week(OT if necessary on large jobs), & they treated me well. I also had the fortune to be allowed to have any residual material leftover(super bennies) from any of the jobs if I wanted......glad I had a truck.You will have to make a determination to the arena you want to roam, ie.. construction, structural, weld/fab shop, etc.. Then look into the area you reside to see if there is something that may come to fruition for you. With little experience & some good schooling, you should be able to start at $15 or a bit more. Your work ethic & attitude will allow for raises if the company sees you as a profitable worker. Their profit is what keeps you working & gets your raises.Anyway, don't feel you can't do it.... just simply do it. The passion for it will be there or not. Those of us experienced weldors at my age/level know the love of it. Good luck & keep us posted with you venture into our world.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:If you feel that you are young enough to still learn it & like doing it while you learn, then why not?  Just Do it!  Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Physical age really has no bearing on it...if you feel young and have the passion you will succeed.That said, have you really thought of what you are getting into? I've been in the maintenance field for 30+ years. I've heard it a million times.."I wish I had your job".My answer is always "no you don't"....you don't want to not know what the big deal is about weekends and holidays, you don't want to be along Lake Michigan when the wind chill is 40 below, you don't want to be in a boiler room that is 120 degrees, you don't want to be on a job that has to be done no matter what with no end in sight. If you want it, don't ever let anyone tell you you can't have it. But make sure you want it and are willing to give all it deserves. Then go for it with all ya got. If you walk in a place with a whole bunch of schooling and no experience and they give you top money it probably won't be a good place to work for. The good places want a proven prioduct and pay top dollar for it. They might start you out lower than you want but if you prove yourself a good place will quickly recognize that and move you up quick. Best of luck to you.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:why not consider a more lateral move;  you are an electrical engineer so it should not be a difficult transition to doing repair work on welding equipment.   i have no doubt you could learn to weld and get a job but it won't pay well and will probably be simple, tedious work.trying to find competent repair people is very difficult and the ones that are good, develop a reputation and do well for themselves.
Reply:Am almost 59.  Lost my job as an Industrial Mechanic in a local paper mill due to cutbacks and downsizing when I was 55.  Took training to regain WHIMIS and forklift operating, propane, etc. etc. cause the mill won't give you proof of training so they can avoid possible liability.The Ironworker Union picked me up and I take welding training two nights @ week in the Hall.  Have already had jobs welding with the Ironworkers.Not too old. Glad I tried. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:Guys, thanks for the very sobering  (as well as the other more uplifting! ) comments from you welding pros.  It really gives me a lot to think about!-Bill
Reply:I'm 25,went to school last year only paying back like 100$ a month for my student loans from school,which isn't too bad.The schooling cost me like 8,000$ for about 900 hrs of welding,-2pm-9pm, 5 days a week ...I cant think of any harm that can come from going to school for a few months... Dont worry too much about the "certs",they didnt even notice them on the application, when I was being interviewed for my current job, lol.. I'm on my second job the pay is 10$ hr but the job is very laid back and interesting because its not production work..The three guys I finished school with that I keep in touch with are making around 20/hr
Reply:Bill, move to the country and specialise in repairing farmers machinery.  They break stuff like crazy.Or you could do a home mail order business- figure a part to sell which needs to be welded up to beconstructed and go from there.  The trickey part is finding the perfect thing to construct.Best is to come up with a simple product that no one has thought of before !  then build it.  better -a product people HAVE to buy bacause there is nothing else to do the job.  I am 50 now and seem to have the same  "age" problem.   I think a lot of emploiers figure olderguys wont put up with their crap like the young ones mistakenly do ( and they are rite too )Tim
Reply:Very excellent suggestions, Jethro!!  In fact, I do live in the country, and I am surrounded by TONS of farmers (mainly sod-busters);  so I think, after I re-learn the art of welding, I will pursue that approach.  And your idea of coming up with a product that must be manufactured by welding is a great idea too, and since I was paid to invent things when I was in the Silicon Valley rat-race, I may just try and come up with something marketable.  Yes, it is a shame how they work the young folks to death, especially nowadays; as you say, we just won't take that BS at our age and the employer, unfortunately,  knows it too!!.-BillPS: Thanks ak4130 for the tips!
Reply:Hi Bill,Well, I'm going to be 48 next month and I just started a dual certificate path at my local CC in welding. I spent 20 years as a Network Systems Engineer but there's just no steady, non-contract work and I decided to try something different.Most of the other students in the lab are half my age or younger yet I find myself out-hustling most of them. Who knows what the market will be like in a year and a half when I'm done with this program. Sometimes you just have to take a risk or proceed on faith. Go for it Bill! I refuse to be a spectator in the game of life. My philosophy is to do the best work I'm capable of and I push myself pretty hard. Its always paid off in the past no matter what the work is. Don't be afraid to re-invent yourself or your skill set. I think too many people refuse to adapt or embrace change. Those of us that can will have a clear advantage.Best of luck to you and all your endeavors.Eric
Reply:Bill don't fret I am 30(29 till August) and am still the "kid" at work, all the guys I work with are in there 50's and that is the department(almost 20 of us). If you have a skill, the drive to work you should be fine. I have no doubt if a 40 or 50 something applied for the position I got hired for they would have the job.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Bill,"You either get busy liv'n, or you get busy die'n"I say, if you still have the physical, mental abilities to persue something that is an interest to you, go for it. Best of luck.
Reply:A very interesting thread. I am 50 and have been considering welding school. I came out of the semiconductor industry with 25 years as an equipment technician. I've seen and worked with a whole lot of stuff over those years that translate into some of the things that welding involves.At the very least, a good schooling will make my garage projects come out better.
Reply:you can do anything you set your mind to!! I worked with  guy who was a cop for 16yrs, then in his late 40s became a welder. he was still learning but alot easier to work with than the 25-26yr old's that thought they new everything.. go for it!
Reply:Hi guys,  Thanks for the uplifting comments Eric, Tozzi, Welds1, PapaHarley, and Wickedsled.  After reading the great advice I got here, I just took the plunge and ordered a brand new, real welder; a 220V AC/DC Hobart Stickmate LX (only $499, and with free shipping and no tax!).  This will replace my little 120V 70A Campbell Hausfeld AC buzz box that I had been practicing on for the last few weeks (just didn't have enough "umph" with normal sized rods, and using those tiny 1/16" 6013 rods had me stopping every inch or so to replace 'em; it drove me crazy!). Soon to arrive Hobart Stickmate LX:  I had been ready to purchase the much more economical Chicago Electric Welding Systems 97719  AC[135A]/DC[105A] model from Harbor Freight, but I felt that if I found a job or jobs that may need me to bring my own welder, that would not only be embarrassing to have such an "unprofessional" welding machine, but I would also probably run out of amps on some heavier jobs.  Fantastic deal, though.Chicago Electric Welding Systems AC/DC ($200):Can't wait to burn some 1/8 stick with 220V DC, as well as using the new welder's amps to finally burn 7018!  -BillBTW, have you ever noticed the crazy prices of 220V 50A extension cord, especially for a 75' run like I need?  Wow! . Attached Images
Reply:I don't know how far NE you are in MS, bu there are a lot of weld shops up that way.  I know you don't want production, but it is a good place to get experience
Reply:Welcome to the club of Stickmate owners, I am 71 and bought my first welder, the same model, a few years ago. Good luck on your career change.I do not intend to compete with any one for employment.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP CompressorOriginally Posted by nadogailWelcome to the club of Stickmate owners, I am 71 and bought my first welder, the same model, a few years ago. Good luck on your career change.I do not intend to compete with any one for employment.
Reply:Bill,Not saying it can't be done, but it seems you realize the "uphill battle" you're facing.My background is also in engineering (Civil and Industrial).  Got the grad degrees and the PE certs to back it up.  Right out of college, I volunteered for the draft (1967).  I figured I'd do my two years and get on with my life.  Wrong.  Twenty-two years and 46 foreign countries later, I retired from the Army Corps of Engineers.Given the experience, additional schooling, and security clearances the military had provided, I guess I was a pretty "hot ticket".  At least the headhunters thought so based on the way they chased me for the next several years.  My consistent reply was, "If I had wanted to stay in that "arena", I would have stayed on active duty".I made a "major" career change and entered the field of yacht sales and service.  Why, some asked.  Because I had a love of boats and being around the water.  While on active duty I had had the opportunity to do consulting with several of the major yacht manufacturers (Army sent me back to grad school at the Univ of Miami).  Plus, when I had been in HS and college I had driven for a major race team under factory sponsorship from OMC (Outboard Marine Corp).  To make a long story short, I thoroughly enjoyed the next 20 years or so.  Did a lot of traveling to far and exotic places, and made "a very good living" in the process.You're now saying, "what the heck has that got to do with anything?"  Here's where it ties in.  As a pup, I grew up in a body shop my dad and uncle ran.  My uncle had been a hardhat diver welder in the Navy during WWII.  He started me on arc and ox/ace at about the age of six.  He was "demanding",  but I learned the basics well.  As I got older and into racing, I became the "team welder".  Started heli-arc welding our fuel cells and other accessories around 1966.  In the military, I was always around "heavy equipment" which always seems to have something broke.  Funny story.  In 1973, I was commanding an engineer construction company.  Got a tasking that involved pouring new loading docks at an on-post warehouse.  Needed my portable cement mixer.  Mixer was down for maintenance and at 3rd shop (Bn maintenance).  Stopped by to see what the problem was.  Warrant officer in charge says, problem with the mixer blades and my certified welder is having real problems welding them up.  Grabbed a set of leather coveralls, gloves, a hood, and leads and climbed in the drum.  An hour later, my mixer was back in service.  3rd shop "certified welder" observed the whole thing.  When I climbed out of the mixer, his comment was, "sir, where in the he11 did you learn to do that?"  My reply was, "my uncle taught me".Being in marine sales/service for many years put me in touch with some of the best marine fabricators in the business.  Many of them became close friends.  They were always willing to "show me the tricks of the trade", partly because I was willing to learn and also because I was not perceived as a "threat" or someone out to "take their job".  Many of these guys, I still correspond with on a regular basis.When I decided to "retire" for the second time, I opened up a small custom woodworking and metal fabrication business.  Today I "pick and choose" the work I do.  Some of my work comes from the larger shops in the area who really are not set up for "one off" type jobs, but the majority of my work comes from good old "word of mouth".  I have several marina's I do work for, and they constantly throw business my way.  It took awhile to establish the business, but now customers (the one's I work for) have learned to ask, "can you do it?" rather than "how much is it going to cost?"Bottom line.  Find a niche in the market and get really good at what you do.  Don't sell your labor short.  If you're good, the public will pay for your expertise.  Don't try to be a "jack of all trades".  I have no interest in trying to compete (price wise) with some yabo who bought his first stick welder six months ago and is willing to work for $10/hr.  Consider tig welding.  It's the most difficult and takes the longest to master.  But that's why "not everyone does it or does it well".  It's also generally considered the "least physically demanding" (in terms of lifting/positioning) so you should be able to do it longer.Take care of your customers.  If you take on a job, do what you promised.  If it means working nights and weekends to "get it done", so be it.  That's the price you pay for the gravy jobs they bring you.  If you're not "comfortable" with the job, don't take it on.  Nothing hurts your reputation worse than a shody product (don't care how much you charged).Invest in good equipment.  Doesn't have to be new, but it needs to be up to the task.  The customer, when he walks into your shop, should never have to ask himself the question, "I wonder if he has the tools to do the job?"Good LuckSyncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.