Welding Equipment and Supply Companies Wholesale Steel Supply Companies Services Automobile Repair Machine Shops Heavy Equipment Repair Welding Shops Sheet Metal Shops Gas and Electrical Utilities Construction Companies Employment Welders, cutters, and welding machine operators held about 416,000 jobs in 1994. About 9 out of 10 welders and cutters were employed in manufacturing, services, construction, or wholesale trade. The majority of those in manufacturing were employed in transportation equipment, industrial machinery and equipment, or fabricated metal products. Pay varies and depends on type of employer, welding specialty, and job duties. Production welders usually earn less than other welders.
Union pay is usually higher than nonunion pay.
Union apprentices earn a percentage of journey worker pay. Trainees may earn as low as minimum wage. Entry pay may range from as low as minimum wage to 2,695 per month. Depends on geographic location, type of employer and whether workers are unionized. COS Resources College of the Siskiyous has many resources available to help you explore and achieve your career choice.