A university or community college isn’t for everyone, but studying for a career is the right choice to succeed and earn a good salary. But what if you’re looking for a career that offers good pay, flexible hours, advancement opportunities, and a short time in school. If that’s the case, enrolling in a welding program at a technical college is an excellent way to get into a high-paying career without the long process of going for a degree at a college or university. A career in welding offers outstanding salaries worldwide and provides excellent opportunities to travel and advancement.

Salaries for Welders in the United States

Welders in the U.S can earn good to very high salaries depending on experience, skill, and the type of welding career they choose. There are many types of welding jobs, from basic to underwater welding, and each type has its pros, cons, and of course, its highest salary.

A primary welding job offers a fair salary, but don’t expect to get rich. Even those with many years of experience, essential welders can expect to earn $30,000 to $60,000 annually, which is a good start after only nine months at a welding school such as UTI or other technical and trade schools.

Keep in mind that while the upper-end of the salary is very good, working as a basic welder can take years to earn $60,000 each year. However, other types of welding jobs in the U.S. and abroad offer very lucrative salaries. Here’s a look at a few high-paying welding jobs:

• Underwater Welding- $54,00 to $300,000
• Industrial Pipeline Welder- $35,000 to $105,000
• Military Support Welder- $60,00 to $160,000

Welding is a skilled trade that’s easy to learn and develop as your career progresses. To start your welding career with the best opportunities, look for a welding school that offers specialized training and uses a training program developed with Lincoln Electric, including GMAW, SMAW, FCAW & GTAW welding processes. According to experts at UTI, “The basic skills of welding are similar across industries, so, depending on the need, most welders can shift from one industry to another.”

Salaries for Welders in Other Countries

A highly skilled welder willing to travel to other countries can earn up to $125,000 annually. A six-figure income is not uncommon for certain types of welding jobs in other countries. While welders in the U.S. tend to earn the highest salaries, other countries also offer very lucrative salaries. So here’s a look at some upper-end pay rates for welders in other countries.

• Switzerland- CHF 115,000 (Very high after conversion)
• Australia- AU $79,000
• Canada- C$85,000

Welding can be a fascinating and lucrative career choice. It’s even more attractive when you consider the amount of education time required to start a welding career. With so many different types of welding jobs available, it’s an excellent career choice. Choose a top welding training program from an organization like Universal Technical Institute that helps you build a solid career. Before signing up for any training programs, read reviews to get assurance about your choice.