Where is all the money made?

admin

I'm currently 16 years old, and when I graduate high school, I am looking to get into a welding program. I just have a few questions.1- What are the best "schools" that have a welding program?2- What do company's look for when hiring a just graduated welder?3- Where is all the money to be made? I am looking to go industrial, but am nervous because I am a girl, and don't want to be looked down upon because I am a female. I don't want that to stop me from getting a career. And no, I am not looking to go into welding because there is money to be made.4-What is your schedule like? I have read on some threads that some people have 6 months on, 6 months off, etc, and wondering what your schedule is like? Again, no I am not looking to go into welding for the schedule. 5-What school did you go to, what companies are the big ones, and why did you choose the company you work for? What is your average salary, or what is the highest salary that can be made, and how do you achieve that? Not being nosey, just wondering. 6-Answers to any other info you might have, and answers to questions I'm forgetting, just general info. Thanks!GabbySorry if these are basic questions...Last edited by gabbymae772; 05-17-2015 at 09:38 PM.
Reply:What kind of welding?i thought only guys asked that many questions
Reply:Pipeline specifically...I'd eventually build my own rig. Like I said, I'm honestly clueless, but interested in getting into it. Haha, sorry for all the questions!
Reply:I've heard there's good money there. What's your history actual hands on welding?
Reply:Honestly I pretty much know nothing, I'm figuring out what to do after school right now, I was planning on going to an actual 4 year college, but due to family issues with my dad, I wont be living with him after school, so i'll be stuck with my mom who has no money to send me to college. I've had a few technical ideas, and my grandpa just mentioned welding to me since he was a welder, but I don't really know his history, as I don't see him much
Reply:You need to try to run some  beads with 7018 and see what happens. You just struck it like a match. Any welding at your school?
Reply:Well I'm still currently a junior in high school, but there is a secondary school called Auburn which I could go to my senior year, or wait until I graduate and then do the adult workforce welding program...or Ohio tech's program..I'm not sure yet, I still have yet to look at the schools
Reply:First things first - take a welding class and see if you like it.No sense planning anything until you know that part.2nd, plan to pay for your own schooling through working and saving now, plus school loans.Welcome to the forum Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Thank you! And yes, I'm currently saving so I can at least do something in the future...would any school offer a class to test out?
Reply:Look into getting a Lincoln tombstone or new everlast stick welder and see how you like it before getting too ahead of yourself. Lincoln tombstone can be found for under 100$ to 150 on CL all day. Them you just need a couple basic things after that. A metal bench to work on would be handy
Reply:Thanks for the advice guys!
Reply:Gabby do a google search for Missy Phillips.  She is a rig welder and sounds like she has done really well.  There are a couple articles on her that I think you will find interesting.  And welcome to the forum!
Reply:Do *NOT* buy a welding machine or much welding equipment before you take a small welding class.You need to get hands on instruction ( to the point of some welding knowledge/safety/and running good beads) from an experienced welding educator before buying your own machine to practice at home.Trying to teach yourself with no hands on instruction will be frustrating to say the least.Do not commit your life to welding before you even know what a welding career entails.Best of luck. JohnJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:, I bet there is a member or two near you that would be willing to give you some introduction and hands on.   Post how far you are willing to travel to spend a day getting introduced to welding...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopDo *NOT* buy a welding machine or much welding equipment before you take a small welding class.You need to get hands on instruction ( to the point of some welding knowledge/safety/and running good beads) from an experienced welding educator before buying your own machine to practice at home.Trying to teach yourself with no hands on instruction will be frustrating to say the least.Do not commit your life to welding before you even know what a welding career entails.Best of luck. John
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpaw, I bet there is a member or two near you that would be willing to give you some introduction and hands on.   Post how far you are willing to travel to spend a day getting introduced to welding...
Reply:All the trades are going to be excellent places to work for a long time to come. The entire schooling system is so focused on college and those careers that there will soon be a huge shortage of trades people. Look at your local trades workers and you will see a very high percentage are up in their 50's and will be looking to retire soon and there are few replacements coming along because kids are encuraged to do the college thing. Welding like most trades has many different types of jobs, from factory jobs to pipeline and rig work to repair type jobs. The thing to remember as in most industries, the higher the pay, the harder the job. Not just in physical labor, but also in inconvenience. For instance a factory job will be a 40-50 hour/week deal where your home every night. Pipeline and rig work pays more, but you have to go to the work, and sometimes work long hours.  Long times away from home can be hard on families and love lives. Good luck with what ever you choose and welcome to the forum!Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313She might need to bring her dad lol. U never know who's behind the screen
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313She might need to bring her dad lol. U never know who's behind the screen
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772And no, I am not looking to go into welding because there is money to be made..
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772 my grandpa just mentioned welding to me since he was a welder, but I don't really know his history, as I don't see him much
Reply:Yes you heard pipeliners make moneyBut only if they are building or repairing pipe somewhere and only if they hire you.There aren't actually that many pipeliner welders compared to all the others.It's heavy dirty  tough work in either the  heat or the cold.If you can do the 4 year college, do it.Someone has to be supervisor / manager down the road and it may as well be you.You can 't do the same work on your knees in your 50's that you don't even notice in your teens and 20's If you do weld, you can make money with tig skills working indoor in a nice air conditioned shop with mechanical lifting equipment.Aerospace has money for nice equipment, nice contitionsSomebody mentioned food plants, that's stainless tig - very specialized.If you're a tiny little skinny girl, I hope you're not claustrophobicYou can wriggle into spots me, or others can't .That's an advantage.http://www.therecord.com/living-stor...on-for-trains/I agree with trying it first, find a partimer job, or school coop placement or something.Volunteer somewhere.See if you like it or hate it before you choose a lifetime of it.
Reply:http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ng-school.aspx
Reply:If you like building things, figuring out how to create something, and then actually putting it together...If you are just a bit technically minded, can do a little math,I would suggest doing something like databases work, instead of welding.Sure, it seems mundane, and boring, but welding can be also.Some of the things you won't get with database work:Your hair catching firesizzling hot steel bb's going in your earyour pants catching fireburns all over your arms from bb's/slagsteel slivers in your eye that need to be removed by a doctorburns, cuts, abrasions on your handsI am retired, have done welding/fabricating for about 20 years, and database work for about the last 15 or so.If I were to go back to work tomorrow, I would probably go back to welding, butI would not recommend that my daughter do this workI have recommended that my son do this kind of work, but he has decided on HVAC instead (he is smarter than I, obviously)Best wishes.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772my grandpa just mentioned welding to me since he was a welder, but I don't really know his history, as I don't see him muchShe needs to weld lol
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_pophttp://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ng-school.aspx
Reply:Go find a smaller shop up there, preferably an older one and tell them what you are thinking. There are people around that will give you some help and ideas I am sure. There are a lot of older guys that love to pass on their knowledge to the next generation....especially a young lady that has thoughts of her future in mind. My wife learned to weld in college as part of an Ag Engineering degree. She does not love to do it, but she still remembers enough to help me when I need it (I  talking about the welding part-she needs to help me all the time so I do not do stupid things). Like I said, she did not love to do it, but she has never regretted spending the time to know how to do it. Get someone up there that is excited about what you are trying to do as you are. Someone near you should be able to let you try it out for free. Very good luck to you. Feel free to any question you want on here.SA-250 TMDSquarewave 200Thunderbolt AC/DC1951 G.E. welder
Reply:the money is wherever you can sell yourself. some guys do well with ag repair, others as pipeliners, others as stainless only food-plant welders. then there are the idiots like me that work for a company that does everything, weld everything, and still do just well-eonough.find what industry is big in your area, and aim for it. around here, food/ dairy is big, as is ag, schools, hospitals, but i havent had much a hand in oil. so i sell myself as a well-rounded feller that can fit/purge/weld sanitary tube, but also fit weld some dirty carbon for that inspected hospital project. ss sch pipe is up my alley too. i do ok.there is a lady i run into at the cheese plants that does control wiring. she welds all her own hangers (all tig ss) and seems to do ok. shes tiny and its funny to watch her boss around all her guys that help her. she found a nice niche. controls are complicated, and she keeps her company from having to sub-out welding. . . . .SOLD!!! you will find it after a couple years in work. that spot to aim for will show itself and as long as you keep steady, you can hit it and put it in your resume as "owned"bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772I'm currently 16 years old, and when I graduate high school, I am looking to get into a welding program. I just have a few questions.1- What are the best "schools" that have a welding program?2- What do company's look for when hiring a just graduated welder?3- Where is all the money to be made? I am looking to go industrial, but am nervous because I am a girl, and don't want to be looked down upon because I am a female. I don't want that to stop me from getting a career. And no, I am not looking to go into welding because there is money to be made.4-What is your schedule like? I have read on some threads that some people have 6 months on, 6 months off, etc, and wondering what your schedule is like? Again, no I am not looking to go into welding for the schedule. 5-What school did you go to, what companies are the big ones, and why did you choose the company you work for? What is your average salary, or what is the highest salary that can be made, and how do you achieve that? Not being nosey, just wondering. 6-Answers to any other info you might have, and answers to questions I'm forgetting, just general info. Thanks!GabbySorry if these are basic questions...
Reply:Yes, I found her! Interesting article, gave me a little hope actually haha,  Thanks!
Reply:Yeah, no way, I don't have the money or clue about it..just an interest that I would hope to make real one day I'm just looking for a few good schools
Reply:Im located in northeast ohio, so pretty much anywhere in northeast ohio!
Reply:Originally Posted by Country MetalsThat is so stupid to me. Why not weld for McDonalds then? Come work for me, I'll teach you to weld for free and I'll pay you $10 forever.......I'll be straight forward. Welding is easy, welding and fabricating is hard. Most industrial companies are not looking to hire a female due to economical reasons. Why hire a female to weld big steel pipe or what not. I have had my insurance non renew me just because I install wrought iron railings with 0 claims in 7 years.... Its just the way it is!With that being said, why don't you look into the food industry. There are just as many challenges with sanitary pipe as there with structural. With all the customers I have, I seriously would like to have a female welder go into these food plants and show these men up.If you want to go far in the welding field. Learn about fabrication! You have no idea how many times I have told new clients that there old welders/fabricators screwed them with materials. I tell them that that isn't 4x4x3/8  square tube, it is 4x4x3/16. They ask how I know because all ends are welded. i said because I know the specifications of the rolled corner edge and this is a 3/16" profile. It is things like this that make you invaluable and have a long career not just a job.Edit:Also, my friend that lives down the street is a female welder. She works with her dad in repairing big quarry equipment. She likes doing it, but knows she would would never get a chance to do it unless her dad already had the established welding business. She is also married to another welding family business. Her husband and father-in-law work on farm equipment for the past 30 years. Her brother works for Sunoco as a union pipe welder.All of us work together well with enough work we all never compete.
Reply:It would be a little hard for me to get a loan for a 4-year degree, I'm just trying to get into a trade, or get an associates degree, so I can say I atleast have some type of degree, and yeah, I'm cool in small spaces, being 5'1, 100lbs comes in handy sometimes!
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772Yeah, no way, I don't have the money or clue about it..just an interest that I would hope to make real one day I'm just looking for a few good schools
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772Yeah, no way, I don't have the money or clue about it..just an interest that I would hope to make real one day I'm just looking for a few good schools
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772Yeah, no way, I don't have the money or clue about it..just an interest that I would hope to make real one day I'm just looking for a few good schools
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772Yeah, no way, I don't have the money or clue about it..just an interest that I would hope to make real one day I'm just looking for a few good schools
Reply:We have a couple welding shops in Chardon, but there are also a lot of trucking companies, do you think they would offer it? I know I should ask them, but it better to just get an insight first, thanks!
Reply:If I were to do anything, I'd probably stay in ohio for 2-3 years to get experience, and the eventually move somewhere more mild or warm. How do you know which area is in demand for which type of welding?
Reply:Like others have said, try welding before you decide to make it a career.Some local community colleges have weekend continuing education welding classes that will teach you the basics of the main welding processes and give you enough hood time to see how you like it and if you have an aptitude for it.Plus those classes are usually cheap, which is good.Best wishes in whatever you decide to do.
Reply:Hello,Does your High school have an FFA program or an Industrial Arts class, this how I learned to weld many years ago. The High School my boys attended offered dual enrollment class at the local  community college/ University.  This type program the classes you take at college count for high school and college credits. Talk to your school counselor about career choices and what kind of programs are offered at your school.There are many careers that pay very well : welder, Chemical plant operator,Instrument tech, boiler maker, high voltage tech and others that deal with running and maintaining refineries/chemical plants.  Goggle USA oil boom and you will find a long list of companies that hire for these type of crafts. best of luck to you
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772We have a couple welding shops in Chardon, but there are also a lot of trucking companies, do you think they would offer it? I know I should ask them, but it better to just get an insight first, thanks!
Reply:Do you like math, chemistry and physics then engineering is another option. My sister has a mechanical engineering degree. The plant i worked at had quit a few female engineers. Most large chemical plants/ refineries offer summer internships .
Reply:As far as where all the work would be, I would say welding for a large part would be like anything else. There would probably be more around prospering areas with large industry to serve. I would guess that there would be a good market for someone around regions with mining albeit maybe not as many welders needed but probably always work to do. As far as pipelines, just be prepared to get in vehicle and go a relative long ways off every so often. The Ag machinery repair up your way might be a viable option, but if you are working for someone the money will probably be average at best. In my part of the world a lot of welding shops came up turning 8 row stuff into 12 row stuff many many years back. With crop prices at the record levels that they have been for several years the farmers have been upgrading to bigger and better instead of repairing and maintaining. This could be like a lot of other things and I would say your question would best be answered by someone near where you would like to be employed. Check with some the LWS in your area too. I am sure they would help answer your questions or point you somewhere if one of the fine people gracing this site has not already.SA-250 TMDSquarewave 200Thunderbolt AC/DC1951 G.E. welder
Reply:By the way, you can weld. I am quite certain about that. If you are not scared of putting in time to learn how, you can do it. My soon to be seven year old boy can burn a rod. He cannot weld, but I am sure he will be soon enough.SA-250 TMDSquarewave 200Thunderbolt AC/DC1951 G.E. welder
Reply:Originally Posted by gabbymae772Do you know the tuition by any chance? I can't find it anywhere on the website, and how long is the program, 12 months? Thanks!
Reply:I'm no expert, but just mentioning this because it worked for me and no one's mentioned it yet.Check usajobs.gov  - I have no idea whats available in your area, but at least out here the navy yard offers an apprenticeship program- they pay for your classes and books as long as you maintain a good GPA, just under 18 an hour to start with no experience, regular raises (about 25/hr after 4 years), a clear path for advancement, amazing benefits, and cushy hours (7-3:30, 25% overtime).
Reply:Welcome to the web and congratulations for being smart enough to think about your future now so that you can get a plan together. That, in and of itself says much about you. While you're thinking about a career don't forget about a life. While pipe line work is fine for a male or female it's very difficult to be a dad/ husband or mom/ wife when you are not home. As for the money thing, remember that pipe welding is very much feast or famine, and damn near all of it is on the road. Also when you hear about the big money remember that the big money is for a "rigged out welder," meaning they own their own truck, welder and tools. That by it self is a significant investment, even if you buy used equipment, and it does not guarantee any work. I agree with the idea of finding a way to try welding before you buy any equipment and see if you like the work and have any aptitude for it. Are there any night school classes available? Talk to your counselor and see what they have available. Some employers have in house training. Also look around your area to see if you can get in a shop part time even if it's as a helper. I should mention that I am old enough to be your grandpa, started my career with a night school class, and own my business which includes 5 engine drives. While I would never discourage class room training you can make it with out spending a bunch of money. I know lots of folks can't afford tech school or college. The military might be an option also. Best wishes with your search and keep us posted.Last edited by gundog77; 05-20-2015 at 11:01 AM.