Pros and Cons of Being a Welder

Introduction

• Focus on full-time welders making over $100,000 a year.
• Speaker: 24 years old, 7 years of experience, certified welder, journeyman boilermaker for 1 year.

Pros of Being a Welder

Pro 1: High Earning Potential

• Potential to earn over $100,000, $200,000, or even $300,000 in supervisory roles.
• High earnings are associated with skilled work in big industries like oil and gas, aerospace, and steel production.

Pro 2: Low Initial Investment

• Not much money needed for tools and equipment.
• Most welding jobs only require basic PPE (personal protective equipment) and some hand tools.
• Many companies provide equipment, reducing personal costs.

Pro 3: Interesting Work Environment

• Opportunity to work on unique projects (e.g., nuclear power plants, gold mines).
• Engaging work with exposure to various large-scale equipment.
• Keeps the job interesting and allows learning about different processes.

Pro 4: Demand for Welders

• Welders are generally in demand; opportunities exist almost everywhere with infrastructure.
• Consistent job availability unless major economic downturns occur.

Pro 5: Variety of Work Locations

• Ability to work in diverse locations around the world, depending on industry presence.
• Geographic flexibility to live and work in various regions.

Cons of Being a Welder

Con 1: Earnings Limitations for Most Jobs

• Approximately 80% of welder jobs pay under $100,000.
• Many welding jobs in shops might not offer high salaries without specialized skills.

Con 2: Travel Requirements

• Traveling for work can disrupt personal life; often involves long periods away from home.
• Jobs may require staying on-site for extended periods, affecting work-life balance.

Con 3: Health Risks

• High physical risk from working with heavy machinery and tools.
• Long-term health risks from inhalation of fumes and dust; potential for serious health problems over time.

Con 4: Long Working Hours

• Welders often work overtime; typical shifts can extend beyond 40 hours a week.
• Time-consuming nature of welding leads to longer hours, impacting personal time.

Con 5: Rigorous Testing Requirements

• Welders often face extensive testing to qualify for jobs.
• Tests may be numerous and can be a barrier to securing jobs, especially in high-stakes industries.

Conclusion

• Summary of key points on the pros and cons of being a welder.
• Encouragement to share additional thoughts in comments.