How To Become a Welder in California in 3 Steps
Discover top welding schools in California and learn about welding certifications, licenses and apprenticeships. Find out what a welding career is like.
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You probably have an idea of what a welder does, but do you know what a career in welding looks like? Can you see yourself attending welding school and training to become a welder?
Before you answer, see how many statements in the following list describe you:
- I’m not inspired by a desk job.
- I like to work inside and outside.
- I want a job that’s innovative.
- I want a job that has variety.
- I like to see the results of my work.
- I want a job that offers independence.
If you agree with those statements, then you should consider training for a career in welding, because those are just some of the perks the modern, skilled welder might experience.
There’s a Future for Welders in a Variety of Industries
From the tallest skyscrapers to tiny electrical components, if metal is being used, welding likely is, too. The industries most people associate with welding, like construction, will continue to see a demand. But there are many more that rely on welders. For example:
- Agricultural, industrial and manufacturing machinery
- Shipping and maritime
- Oil, gas and pipeline
- Motor vehicle and motorsports
- Bridges, highways and other infrastructure
- Military
- Aerospace
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (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.
It’s the specialty welding applications that can offer the most opportunity. Automated welding processes that use robots, lasers and electron beams are becoming more common, so welders with advanced skills will be in higher demand. Welders who are willing to travel or work in more extreme conditions also have the potential to earn higher pay.
Welding Combines Science, Skill … and Creativity
Welding requires more than just heat and muscle. Like many careers in the skilled trades, welders work with their heads as well as their hands.
Successfully bonding two pieces of metal together requires some pretty cool science, powerful tools, advanced technology — and an artist’s eye. Not only must welds be strong but in cases when they will be exposed, painted or coated, welds also need to be clean and tidy. It’s a skill that requires training and practice to master.
Welders must also be able read blueprints and construction documents, inspect structures and materials, and maintain equipment. Welders are an important part of the manufacturing team and process, so they must have an understanding of the role they play and the importance of their work.
It Can Take Less Than a Year to Train for a Welding Career
You’d think it would require years of training to start a career path in welding, but that’s not the case. You can prepare for that career by getting your welding education in just 36 weeks in the Welding Technology program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI).
In those 36 weeks of training, you’ll learn about the most common welding techniques and applications, giving you a solid foundation from which to pursue a job or to continue specialized training. Welding methods you’ll learn in courses at UTI include:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Flux-Cored Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
Graduates of the program will be prepared to test for welding certifications.
Take the First Step at UTI
Does a career in welding sound like it might be a good fit for you? Attending a trade school like UTI is a great place to start. After graduation, you’ll have the education and hands-on experience you need for an entry-level job in a range of industries.1
If you want to learn more about welding, our blog covers the topic in a range of posts that you can read here. You can also visit our Welding Technology Training program page for answers to frequently asked questions and much more.
Want to talk to an admissions representative? You can request more information here, or call 1-800-834-7308.
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1 ) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2 ) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
26 ) UTI’s Welding Technology Training Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as welders. Estimated annual salary shown above is for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a welding technician, such as inspector and quality control. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $40,060 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2022 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageAllIndustries/OEWResult?A=01&GA=000025&OG=514121&Dopt=TEXT). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled welders in North Carolina is $23.38 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $20.82 and $18.17, respectively.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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