How much does a welder make?

In the U.S., experience and job-specific certifications can help raise pay, and employers in different industries or places offer different wages. Specialized work, such as underwater welding, requires extra skills; longer hours and night or weekend shifts may also change total earnings.

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

What's a typical day like?

A welder checks a blueprint, measures and inspects metal, then puts on a helmet and protective clothing. They fuse the pieces with a torch, adjust the heat, check the work, and maintain their tools.

U.S. welders usually finish high school or earn a GED, then train at a technical school, community college, or apprenticeship; youth programs can start at 16. Some jobs require licenses or certifications, and OSHA requires electrical-safety training.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Some underwater welders work in open water, while others weld inside pressurized dry chambers underwater.

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.