The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Read blueprints or work orders, and inspect metal work pieces to plan work.

• Select and set up welding or soldering equipment. May use manual or semi-automatic welding.

• Position and secure work piece, using hoist, hand tools, or other equipment. Prepare surfaces.

• Ignite torch or start power supply. Adjust valves to regulate flow.

• Weld, fuse, or solder metal parts together. Use flat, vertical, horizontal, or overhead positions.

• Repair broken or cracked parts, or fill holes and seams in metal products.

• Chip or grind off excess weld or solder, using hand or power tools or welding equipment.

• Examine welds and solders to be sure they meet requirements.

• Use heat to cut and trim metal objects to specific dimensions.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Handle and move welding and soldering tools.

• Control welding equipment and processes.

• Perform activities using the whole body, such as bending, climbing, and lifting.

• Implement instructions or own ideas to plan welding and soldering jobs.

• Monitor welding processes and metal materials to identify problems or imperfections.

• Get information from blueprints, drawings, work orders, or observation.

• Inspect damaged metal parts, and finished welds and solders.

• Evaluate information from finished workpieces against work orders.

• Judge the quality of finished metal pieces.

Working Conditions
In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a low level of social contact. They usually work alone.

Physical Work Conditions

• Often work indoors, but may on rare occasions work outdoors.

• Often wear safety shoes, goggles, and hoods with protective lenses. May wear other devices to protect them from burns, eye injuries, and falling objects.

• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment. There is some possibility of moderate injury.

• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that result in burns. There is some possibility of slight injury.

• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants that give off toxic fumes.

• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous conditions, such as climbing or lifting. The likelihood of even slight injury is low.

• Are sometimes exposed to sound and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.

• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures from working outdoors.

• May be exposed to extremely bright light while welding.

Work Performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could endanger workers' safety.

• Repeat the same physical activities.

• Must allow work pace to be determined by the speed of equipment.

• Must be aware of frequently changing events.

Hours/Travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.

• May work overtime, up to 70 hours a week.

• May work in shifts as long as 12 hours.

Physical Demands

People in this career frequently:

• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

• Stand for long periods of time while welding.

• Repeat movements over and over.

• Sometimes sit to weld or solder.

• Bend or twist the body.

• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

• Climb ladders and scaffolds.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

• Use hands or fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

• Make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs.

• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in one place.

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.

• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

• Be physically active for long periods without getting out of breath.

• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.

• Move arms and legs quickly.

• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs.

• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.

• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

• Determine the distance between objects.

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills & Abilities
People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

• Identify problems and review information.

• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use Math and Science

• Use math skills to solve problems.

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with Things

• Test and inspect products or processes. Evaluate quality or performance.

• Operate and control equipment.

• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

• Repair machines or systems.

Perceive and Visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

• Know one's location in a physical setting and recognize where other objects are located in relation to oneself.

Knowledge
People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Mechanical: Knowledge of designing, using, and repairing machines and tools.

• Building and Construction: Knowledge of constructing buildings and other structures.

• Production and Processing: Knowledge of how products are made and supplied.

• Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of how to build machines, buildings, and other things. Also includes knowledge of how to use computers, machines, and tools to do work more usefully.

Interests
People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.

• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.

• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Preparation
Training varies by the skill level required by the job. For low skilled jobs, a few weeks of school or on-the-job training are enough. Several years of combined school and on-the-job training are required for highly skilled jobs. Formal training is available in high schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and private welding schools. The military also operates welding schools. Some employers offer training to help welders improve their skills.

High school students interested in this career should take courses in blueprint reading, shop math, and mechanical drawing. Courses in physics, chemistry, and metallurgy are also helpful.

Hiring Practices
Employers prefer applicants who have welding or soldering experience or training. They look for people who have good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity. The ability to concentrate on detailed work for long periods is also important. Welders should be in good physical shape so they can bend, stoop, and work in awkward positions.

Licensing and Requirements
No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career
Some states require that welders be certified. Requirements vary by state. Certification is optional in most states.

Wages
In Minnesota, the median wage for welders and solderers is $16.98 per hour. Half of all welders and solderers earn between $12.16 and $20.68 per hour.

Nationally, the median wage for welders and solderers is $15.46 per hour. Half of all welders and solderers earn between $10.32 and $18.91 per hour.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary based on the number of hours worked. Many welders work overtime and earn more than the above wages. In addition, more than one-fourth of welders belong to unions. Union members often earn higher wages than nonunion members.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time welders and solderers earn typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment
In Minnesota, about 9,750 welders and solderers work in this medium-sized occupation.

Nationally, about 377,000 welders and solderers work in this medium-sized occupation. Welders work mostly in metal manufacturing industries. Solderers often work on electronic equipment.

Major employers:
Fabricated structural metal products manufacturers
Motor vehicles and equipment manufacturers
Construction and related machinery manufacturers
Repair shops
Temporary worker agencies

Outlook
In Minnesota, the employment for welders and solderers is expected to grow more slowly than average for all occupations through the year 2014.

Nationally, the number of jobs for welders and solderers is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2008.

The slower than average growth will be due to increasing automation and productivity in many of the industries that employ welders. However, almost every manufacturing industry uses welding at some stage. Thus, a strong economy will keep demand for welders high. A downturn could cause some layoffs.

The increasing use of automation will have the most impact on the demand for low-skilled manual welders. This is because the jobs that become automated are the simple, repetitive ones. Welders who work on construction projects or in equipment repair are less likely to be affected. This is because their jobs are not as easily automated.
 

	Employment		Employment Change
	1998	2008	Number	Percent
National	377,000	395,900	18,900	5.0

Advancement Opportunities
Welders and solderers can advance to more skilled jobs with additional training and experience. For example, they may become technicians, supervisors, inspectors, or instructors. Some experienced welders and solderers open their own repair shops.

Page last updated in August, 2007.
Source: Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning (MCIS) Minnesota Career Information System