Career change, Certified Welding Inspector?

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Hi all,For the past year I have been thinking about making a career change. I have been welding for seven years.  I currently work in a custom fab shop and previously worked as a production welder.  I enjoy the custom fabrication a lot, I have determined that I do not want to weld for the rest of my career life. I no longer want to work in dirty shops for ok pay.  So I have thought about taking the AWS CWI program to become certified.  How much is there a need for CWI in the poor economy?  I know were I'm located there are plenty of factory welding jobs available, but would that mean there is still a need for a lot of CWI?  What about the pay for a CWI?  That is another crucial thing for me also, is the pay.  Any input and suggestions would be helpful.
Reply:Has any one worked as a certified welding inspector?  How did you like it?
Reply:I would like to read more as well, but, it seems no one is giving up any info.
Reply:I recently got my Canadian level 1 inspector certification, the AWS equivalent would associate QC1 I think, no code books handy. The demand  for inspector in my area is high. The economy here is hot at the moment. I'm not making more money inspecting than welding but that may change in the near future. Structural inspectors in particular are in short supply here.I think any education and skill you can pick up is worth the effort.So far like inspecting but I definitely miss welding. I don't miss grinding though.Last edited by Dr. Strangepork; 02-21-2011 at 10:58 PM.
Reply:Just something to think about. There could be a very high ratio of welders to inspector on any given job so you have to figure that if there are many thousands of idle welders in this economy, then there are many experienced inspectors competing for the remaining positions.Undertakers are always working in any economy.Good luck
Reply:Just use Google or www.simplyhired.com or www.indeed.com to search for average pay and job openings.  There have only been 3 or 4 CWI jobs advertised in Jacksonville, FL in the last 5 years.  Other areas may vary.  Average pay is around $50k put that may be based upon hourly rate plus overtime.  One weldor friend became a CWI he got a job at $20 an hour and had to live on the road in a motel.  Some CWI's get a business card and open for business on their own.  Some of them earn up to $100K or more as a consultant.  It all varies widely.
Reply:I'm interested in this as well.I've been laying groundwork for a move in this direction.Try gettign an account and posting on www.awsforum.com You might find quicker replies there.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11I'm interested in this as well.I've been laying groundwork for a move in this direction.Try gettign an account and posting on www.awsforum.com You might find quicker replies there.