Can you guys help me out a little. I just want to know a few things about the guys who weld for a LIVING.

How much you make a year or an estimate.

What kind of welding do you do on a everyday bases.

Do you live comfortable just welding.

What state do you live in.

 

Come on guys help out a young guy trying find his way.

 

I do my best to help answer your questions. I install signs and I build scoreboards.
The best part about my job is I do not weld everyday. Sometimes I weld for a month straight almost all day long. I can get sick of it. I can also go a week or longer with out welding anything.

I do not think I could handle welding all the time. I mainly stick weld or flux core mig. I get sick of getting burnt up. I work outside so it can get old wearing leathers.
This is some of the work I have done.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albu...c.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/alb...7.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/alb...4.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/alb...9.jpg

I never wanted to become a welder it just happened. I do enjoy it though. It makes me feel good when I shove my rod somewhere I can barely see and I can look at after its done and I still laid a good weld. There are a lot of pros and cons to it. I am 21 I made 40K last year.

 

So I take it you are construction worker who knows how to weld or you are a welder that does construction work. Either way thats some nice stuff you get to work on. I wouldn't no the first thing on how to get a job like that.

I went to my local community college and became certified in welding. Got a job making Electrical box's was doing pretty good if you ask me but got fired for missing to many days in my 90 evaluation period. Just like you i don't think welding is the best thing in the world but I am telling you nothing comes close to laying a perfect weld for 74 inches. So it pretty much has been a year since I last welded and I have come to a crossroad building a career through the military or building a career in welding. Which is why I am asking you guys these questions.

I guess what I am asking how should I go about starting a career in welding. As far as I know we have some very successful welders on honda-tech so give me all the advice you can and are willing to share.

 

I just fell into my job. My dad and brother work there my dad fixes the signs. My brother actually does not work there anymore. I got hired at 10 PH doing odd ****. I would go out and help but nothing serious. I started at the bottom, The guy I work with now his partner quit and I moved up. We do the biggest jobs. He taught me everything I know.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hinds90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So I take it you are construction worker who knows how to weld or you are a welder that does construction work.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Kind of, My title is a Sign Installer. I just do a lot of the big steel work. I do everything from hanging of the sides of 350' buildings on a plywood seat, to service signs.


So you have to join the military to get this job correct? I would do it. How long do you have to sign up for? You will learn a lot and that is what it is all about.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NINJASWORD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I
So you have to join the military to get this job correct? I would do it. How long do you have to sign up for? You will learn a lot and that is what it is all about. </TD></TR></TABLE> Na I already went to school and became a certified welder but I haven't welded in about a year and I am at a crossroad trying to choose between the military or get back into welding. Just like I said I don't mind welding it's actually pretty fun when you know what you are doing. If I could find a welding job paying 40k a year to hell with the military show me the money.

 

I just started a fabrication job last week in Portland, Maine. Seems like it's gonna be about 40% actual welding, all TIG and MIG. The rest is metal fab work and maybe 5% on site stuff like installs and repairs. We build materials handling machines, railings, racks, carts, repair random stuff, marine parts, military contracts etc...Its pretty large shop with 4 guys and a parts distribution business attached to it so there is lots of variety and a good work atmosphere. I'll be doing around 33k with full benefits to start and should be around 40k within 12-16 months. This is without overtime pay which will be an additional 3-6k a year i think. They also throw us side jobs if we want them, under the table.

I was making a little less then my start pay before (building and tuning cars at a dyno shop) and i live pretty comfortably even with student loans and rent and all that.

 

Bump for more career advice.

 

Bump for more career advice.

 

i you move near a shipyard you can make alot of money and work alot of hours.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HT Chaplain &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i you move near a shipyard you can make alot of money and work alot of hours. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Bath Iron Works is near me.

underwater welding = $$$$$$$x2

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bailhatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bath Iron Works is near me.

underwater welding = $$$$$$$x2</TD></TR></TABLE>

That would be neat as hell.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Iraq Job Opportunities! IDP- International Direct Placement

Salary:
$86,000 + income potential with competitive benefits package.


Qualifications & Competencies:

This is a position with a physical rating of heavy. Must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in welding. Experience in fabrication and production a plus. Should have experience in the Army 44-B Series MOS or civilian experience equivalent. All branches of service are encouraged to apply. Must have a U.S. passport. Must be able to pass a physical exam due to the harsh living and working conditions. Must pass a criminal background and credit check. This is a one (1) year assignment. You should expect to work 12 hours days, seven days a week.

Key Responsibilities:

Reports to and receives assignments, instructions, and direction from the Foreman or General Foreman. Reads and interprets instructions and documentation and plans work activities. Moves materials and equipment to work locations and sets up work site. Lays out, fits, and welds fabricated, cast, and forged components to assemble structural forms such as military equipment, machinery frames, tanks, pressure vessels, furnace shells, and building and bridge parts. Installs structural parts, components, and assemblies in support of plant construction and maintenance activities. Completes records, maintains tools and equipment, and performs various clean-up and housekeeping activities. Performs other duties and activities as directed. Will perform tasks in GTAW or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding know as TIG a very skilled type of welding, used on Aluminum, Stainless Steels and other exotic metals.. Observes and follows all safety rules and procedures, including wearing required personal safety

Working Conditions: Extreme danger, stress, physical hardships and possible field living conditions associated with this position within a desert camp complex. Ability to function during an extended assignment at a foreign, in-country facility exposed to seasonal temperature extremes. Ability to cope with shared cafeteria, bath and sleeping quarters. **ONLY THOSE WILLING TO WORK AND LIVE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS SHOULD APPLY. U.S. PASSPORT WILL BE REQUIRED.

* Job location is Iraq
* Compensation: 86,000
* This is a contract job.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This job is probably the highest paying opportunity you'll ever get. unless you own your own business

 

Anybody have a website for Iraqi Job Opportunities.

 

There are quite a few websites on Iraq employment opportunities. The U.S. government allotted 18.something billion taxpayer bucks for the Iraq reconstruction project. Plenty of work there...might as well try and bring some of that money back to this country

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hinds90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bump for more career advice.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

i just got back from iraq. i learned how to stick weld and mig weld from the civilian welders over there!
they worked for a company called lsi. they said they made good money but there where companies that made more.
companies i know of are lsi, kellog brown and root, l3 communications im sure tons of other.
those where just the ones where i was at. my advice is deffinatly look around at all the different contract companies for the best oppurtunity!

oh mostly the guys in our shop did stick welding i helped build some pretty cool stuff maybe ill post pictures of what we built