What does a welder do? Duties, pay, training and outlook
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers use heat to join or cut metal parts. Most employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent plus technical training from a school, program or the military, and entry-level workers with formal training still get several months of on-the-job training.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 51-4121.00 (Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers) |
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Licensing | Some states and localities license welders |
| Median annual wage | $53,750 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 2 percent, 2025 to 2035 (slower than average) |
| Number of jobs | 437,700 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 40,300 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a welder do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists these duties:
- Read and interpret blueprints, sketches and specifications.
- Calculate and measure the dimensions of parts to be welded.
- Inspect structures or materials to be welded.
- Weld materials according to blueprint specifications.
- Monitor the welding process and adjust heat as necessary.
- Maintain equipment and machinery.
Work environment
Largest employers by share of jobs: Manufacturing 63 percent; specialty trade contractors 8 percent; merchant wholesalers, durable goods 5 percent; self-employed workers 4 percent; administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 4 percent. Most welders work full time, and many manufacturing firms run two or three shifts of 8 to 12 hours, so evening and weekend work is common.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: Employers often prefer or require a high school diploma or equivalent plus technical training from high school technical classes, vocational-technical institutes, community colleges, private schools or U.S. Armed Forces training. Blueprint reading, shop math and mechanical drawing are useful, as is an understanding of electricity.
- Apprenticeships: Employer-based apprenticeships are available, some for workers with no experience and others for graduates of vocational-technical welding programs.
- Licensing and certification: Some states and localities license welders, and requirements vary. Professional organizations offer general certification, and some employers require general or specific certification. Employers may pay for training and testing.
- Safety training: OSHA requires welders to complete electrical safety training. Other OSHA training is available but is generally not required.
Skills that matter
The OOH names detail orientation, manual dexterity, physical stamina, physical strength and spatial-orientation skills. O*NET lists the knowledge, skills and tasks for this occupation in its Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers summary.
How much do welders, cutters, solderers and brazers make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $53,750 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,240 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,530.
Median annual wage by industry, May 2025 (BLS):
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Specialty trade contractors | $59,440 |
| Manufacturing | $51,210 |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | $50,290 |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | $48,810 |
See the OOH pay tab and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for more detail. Our guide on how to research pay explains how to read these numbers.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations, with about 40,300 openings projected each year on average over the decade.
How to get hired
- Get formal training. Look at high school technical classes, community college welding programs, private schools, military training or an employer apprenticeship.
- Earn certification where it counts. Ask target employers which general or specific certifications they require, and whether they pay for training and testing.
- Show you can read plans. Blueprint reading, measuring and shop math appear in the duties and recommended coursework, so put them on your resume. See no experience resume if you are starting out.
- Search steadily. Use our find a job fast routine and search jobs on LiveRec. Manufacturing employs most welders, so include shift availability.
Related occupations
Assemblers and fabricators; Boilermakers; Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers and millwrights; Machinists and tool and die makers; Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters; Sheet metal workers.
Related guides on LiveRec: plumbers, electricians.
Frequently asked questions
Do welders need a license? Some states and localities license welders, and requirements vary. Some employers require certification.
Do you need a degree to be a welder? No. Employers often prefer a high school diploma or equivalent plus technical training.
How long does it take to learn welding? Entry-level workers with formal training still get several months of on-the-job training, and apprenticeships run longer.
Is welding in demand? BLS projects 2 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, slower than average, with about 40,300 openings a year.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.