Page 91 - MetalForming October 2019
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Welding Well
data from resumes and job listings alike, demands attention to detail, manual dexterity, physical stamina and strength, spatial-orientation skills, and, of course, technical skills.
Welding training presents a multi- tude of career options, with many lead- ing to supervisory positions within a decade, and sometimes much sooner, according to the site. Occupations most commonly transitioned to from basic welding include welder-fitter, pipe welder, maintenance technician and structural welder.
Who’s a welder? Welders come from all walks of life, as demographic data show. Though nearly 92 percent of welders are male, female welders have gained ground, as have minorities.
Data show that employers currently seek welders proficient in gas-metal- arc welding (GMAW), component-parts production and gas-tungsten-arc weld- ing (GTAW). Top skills highlighted on welding resumes include the following:
• “Experience with multiple welding processes including GMAW, GTAW, shielded metal arc welding and flux- cored arc welding both carbon and stainless steel.”
• “Clamp, hold, tack-weld, heat- bend, grind or bolt component parts to obtain required configurations and positions for welding.”
• “Conduct daily shop and field activities, including the fabrication and installation of watertight shipboard enclosures and flood/waste water-con- tainment systems.”
• “Perform modifications and cus- tom fabrications to motorcycles and vehicles, while utilizing stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum.”
As listed at zippia.com, U.S. welders average $37,692 in pay per year, with Alaska topping the pay scale at an annual average of $57,996. See the map for state rankings. It’s no surprise that the highest paying welding jobs reside mostly in states such as Alaska, Wyoming, Louisiana, South Dakota and Pennsyl- vania, where oil and gas exploration and production reign supreme. The field work is demanding, but rewarding, according to the data. MF
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