Career Path

How to become a welder

Pipe, structural, fab — the trade that joins everything.

The roadmap

1
Graduate HS or GED
Plus a welding program at a community college or trade school.
2
OSHA 10
Standard construction safety card — required on most job sites.
3
AWS certification
Start with SMAW or GMAW on a position test (1G, 3G, 6G for pipe).
4
Entry weld helper or apprentice
Union: Boilermakers, Ironworkers, UA welders. Non-union: any fab shop.
5
Production welder
Run a bead all day in a shop while building speed and consistency.
6
Certified pipe welder (6G)
Pass a 6G TIG/SMAW root + fill on pipe — the most valuable cert.
7
Specialty / CWI / Rig owner
Underwater, aerospace, nuclear, AWS Certified Welding Inspector, or buy a rig truck and contract.

Ranges vary by region, union vs non-union, and overtime. Union pay packages include benefits worth 30–50% on top.

We send you to the federal apprenticeship.gov database — official, free, and updated weekly.

Auto-darkening hood

Lincoln Viking 3350 or Miller T94i. Your eyes are non-negotiable.

Welding jacket (leather)

Sleeves over FR cotton for any stick or MIG work.

TIG gloves + MIG gloves

Two separate pairs — TIG needs feel, MIG needs heat protection.

Chipping hammer + wire brush

Slag removal between passes on SMAW.

Soapstone + tip cleaner

Marking metal and keeping your torch tip honest.

Angle grinder (4.5")

Makita or Milwaukee. Flap discs, cut-off wheels, brushes — daily driver.

Tungsten grinder

For TIG. A clean point is a clean weld.

Some apprenticeships supply the heavy stuff. Always ask your local what's expected before you spend.

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