What a Traveling Welder Is and How to Become One

There are many things to consider when thinking about your future career. Having the flexibility to go to different areas nationwide to work is a big perk for many people. The ability to be mobile can equal job security in many cases.

The welding industry is growing, and with that growth comes job openings and opportunities to work in a range of places. The duties of a traveling welder are similar to other welding positions, but they have the opportunity to work in various industries such as pipeline repair, shipyard welding and military support. Becoming a traveling welder might be the right path for you if you enjoy working with your hands and aren’t tied down to one place.

Pursuing education and training at a trade school, such as Universal Technical Institute (UTI), can provide the necessary knowledge and skills to become a traveling welder. UTI offers a Welding Technology training program that can prepare individuals for a career as a traveling welder in just 36 weeks.¹

Keep reading to find out more about the potential for travel in welding and how the future looks for the industry.

What Is a Traveling Welder?

Traveling welders, also known as “road warriors,” help fill welding needs by traveling across the country to work on massive projects. They typically work for industries like the military, oil and gas and shipbuilding.

3 Steps To Become a Traveling Welder

1. Have a high school diploma or equivalent

Typically, entry-level welding jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent. This is also a requirement for most trade schools like UTI. Once you have a high school diploma or GED diploma, you can move on to the next step on the path toward becoming a traveling welder.

2. Get technical training

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that welding employers often prefer candidates who have attended a technical training program.

Education and training are extremely important when pursuing any job in the skilled trades. When it comes to pursuing a career as a traveling welder, building a foundation of knowledge will help you before diving into the industry.

A great way to gain the skills you need is to pursue an education at a trade school. This route provides students with hands-on training that can help them enter the workforce confident and qualified. The Welding Technology training program at UTI helps students learn about the procedures and equipment required for the major types of welding used in the industry. Course topics cover everything from welding theory to math used in industry fabrication.

3. Pursue experience and a career

There are many industries you can work in as a welder, such as construction, aerospace and agriculture! When it comes to travel welding jobs, most employers may require at least one year of on-the-job experience.

UTI graduates have the knowledge needed to get started in the welding industry. They start in entry-level roles, like any other industry. Over time, they can gain the experience needed to pursue travel welding roles and other advanced roles such as a welding inspector or welding project manager.⁷⁷

Traveling Welder Job Duties

The duties and responsibilities of a traveling welder are typically the same as other welding positions, just with the potential of utilizing these skills in different places. Some industries in which traveling welders might find opportunities include:

• Pipeline/pipe joint repair and construction
• Shipyard welding
• Railroad track repair and construction
• Military support
• Underwater welding
• Farm machinery manufacturing
• Construction and infrastructure
• Aerospace

A welder’s primary task is to join or repair components after determining what welding method is best suited for the project. Planning layouts and procedures and reading blueprints are also common practices before starting a job.

If you’re looking for a detail-oriented, hands-on career that can offer flexibility and mobility, the path to becoming a welder might be right for you!

Traveling Welder Salary and Job Outlook

Salary range and job outlook are important things to consider when pursuing any career. Getting a sense of these things can help you better prepare.

Those going into the welding industry typically start as entry-level welders. While there is no specific salary information listed for traveling welder jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does provide insight into welding in general.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the United States was $48,940 in May 2023.²⁶ This means half of welders earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

Welding is a growing field, with more than 42,000 estimated average annual welding job openings in the United States.⁴² This information is also provided by BLS data and includes openings due to growth and net replacements. Given the number of job openings, there are opportunities to be a traveling welder and find work in different parts of the country.

Pros and Cons of Being a Traveling Welder

Advantages

If you have the skills needed for a job, you are not tied to work in one area. Being a travel welder gives you that freedom. Here are some other pros of travel welding:

• Potential for competitive salary: If you can pursue travel welding jobs, that means you’ve gained the necessary experience to be considered for more advanced welding positions. Depending on where you live, you could potentially get a job in another state or area that offers higher pay than the area you live in.
• More flexibility: Travel welding jobs aren’t like a typical 9-to-5 position. You can control how much you work depending on how many jobs you take.
• Opportunities in various industries: Welding can lead to opportunities in various industries. With the proper training, experience and certifications you could pursue a career in pipeline welding, underwater welding, shipbuilding and many others!

Disadvantages

With all the pros of being a traveling welder, there are also some potential disadvantages depending on personal preference and where you are located. Here are some of the cons of being a traveling welder:

• Time away from friends and family: There may be some weeks when a job will have you near the work site for multiple days, even longer if it’s in another state. This is to be expected for a job like this and should be taken into consideration if you want to pursue becoming a traveling welder. You may also have to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Inconsistency with hours: Not all jobs you get will require the same amount of time. Sometimes, you may get a project that will only take half a day of work and other times, you may be working on the same project for weeks. Some people may enjoy the variety, but others may want more consistency.
• A lot of travel: This part of the job may take more time than some of the projects you’ll work on. Some might enjoy the freedom of being able to work in different locations. However, having to travel to other states to find job opportunities could be less desirable to other people.

Let UTI Help Prepare You for a Career in the Welding Industry

If a career as a traveling welder intrigues you, why not take the first step toward a future you’re excited about? The Welding Technology training program will help give you the skills you need to prepare for a career that could take you to many different places and industries.

UTI makes it easy to start preparing for a career in the skilled trades. You can graduate from the welding program in just 36 weeks ready for an entry-level job in the workforce. Find out more about training, which is offered at twelve campuses nationwide, by requesting more information.