Becoming a welding engineer is one of the most lucrative career options out there. Welding engineers earned an average base salary of $77,510 in 2021.
A bachelor’s degree in welding engineering is generally the minimum requirement for landing an entry-level job in the industry. You can also pursue more desirable positions with the right work experience, licensure, and certifications. Taking these steps will have a huge impact on your career growth.
In this article, we’ll be talking about a welding engineer’s responsibilities, steps for becoming a welding engineer, job opportunities and career path, and how you can improve your career prospects.
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What do Welding Engineers do?
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Welding engineers work in the area of joining metals through heat and pressure. Although the process may appear basic, welding is an incredibly complicated trade.
Welding engineers possess knowledge about the many different welding types. They also make sure that welders carry out the process efficiently and control the process parameters to avoid wastages and mishaps.
Common job responsibilities of a welding engineer may include:
- Ensuring high efficiency and throughput
- Designing and optimizing process parameters for better welding control
- Designing efficient welding equipment
- Performing quality analysis to avoid incomplete welds
- Checking for welds for defects and their sources
- Overseeing the manufacturing process
- Operating test equipment for radiography, and other non-destructive testing methods
- Ensuring that welding processes adhere to codes and standards
- Creating CAD drawings, models, and layouts
- Selecting electrode materials
How to Become a Welding Engineer?
Listed below are a few things to consider when pursuing a job as a welding engineer:
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
If you want to land an entry-level job as a welding engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in welding or materials engineering. Most employers require you to have a certain level of education and qualifications before hiring.
A bachelor’s degree program will help you understand the fundamentals associated with welding. You will learn about the different types of materials, their properties, and their melting characteristics.
The curriculum also includes metallurgy, chemistry, physics, basic programming, trigonometry and calculus, machine design, and project management. These subjects help lay the foundation for you to start learning welding processes, advanced welding techniques, and operate special welding equipment.
You can participate in an internship program during your degree to significantly improve your prospects of future employment. Some degree programs make it mandatory for students to complete an internship to graduate.
Internships are helpful for budding welding engineers by providing hands-on experience on real-world problems. This experience will also help them decide what kind of welding technique interests them the most.
These subjects help lay the foundation for you to start learning welding processes, advanced welding techniques, and operate special welding equipment.
You can also participate in an internship program during your degree to significantly improve your prospects of future employment. Some degree programs make it mandatory for students to complete an internship to graduate.
Internships are helpful for budding welding engineers by providing hands-on experience on real-world problems. This experience will also help them decide what kind of welding technique interests them the most.
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Step 2: Consider Graduate School
A graduate school can help you pursue a master’s degree in welding engineering. You will be able to explore the various aspects related to welding in greater detail. You can also apply for more competitive jobs after finishing your master’s degree.
Some colleges offer an accelerated program that lets you complete B.S/M.S in less time. Before you choose a graduate school, always ensure that you enroll in an accredited program. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is one of the professional bodies responsible for accrediting degree programs.
During your graduate program, you can consider specializing in a certain field such as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), tungsten inert gas welding (TIG), non-destructive testing(NDT), etc.
Depending on your area of interest, you will be eligible to work across various sectors, like construction, aerospace, marine, power generation, transportation, and manufacturing processes.
Step 3: Apply for Entry-level Welding Engineer Jobs
You can directly apply for entry-level jobs after completing your degree in welding engineering. Some companies might want you to join on a temporary basis before they offer you a permanent position.
Once you gain work experience of four or more years, you can take the examination to obtain your certification as a professional engineer.
Some of the potential work environments for welding engineers are as follows:
- Manufacturing Plants
- Construction Sites
- Research Laboratories
- Shipyards
- Oil Pipelines
- Off-shore Drilling Plants
- Automobile Assembly Units
You can also join a professional organization such as:
- American Welding Society (AWS)
- American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- Edison Welding Institute (EWI)
- Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS)
- American Society for Materials International (ASM International)
You can interact with fellow welding and materials engineers in such organizations.
Joining a professional organization will also help you stay updated with current trends, attend educational seminars, understand the latest codes and standards, and get information about the industry’s technical advances.
Step 4: Attain Licensure
If you want to offer your services directly and improve earning prospects, you must obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). In the U.S, it is obligatory in all 50 states that you obtain your license if you wish to work independently.
You can only take a licensing exam after you have completed your degree from an ABET-accredited university and possess experience of four years.
Step 5: Consider Certification in Specialized Welding Techniques
You can become an AWS-Certified Welding Engineer after passing a certification exam conducted by the American Welding Society. You can also become a certified welding inspector by taking the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) examination.
AWS also offers certifications in radiography, robotic arc welding, resistance welding, supervision, sales, and various welding-related areas.
However, a certificate demonstrates that you have the necessary qualifications to handle welding operations as per the prescribed industry standards. Certifications also indicate that you possess advanced knowledge in welding processes which can distinguish you among fellow welders.
Welding Engineering Jobs
A welding engineer can work in a variety of job roles.
Employers require welding engineers in positions such as welding engineer, senior welding engineer, specialized GMAW welding engineer, principal weld engineer, aerospace welding engineer, welding development engineer, expert weld engineer, welding inspector, QA/QC engineer, and metallurgy and materials engineer.
Welding engineering jobs vary according to your skillset, years of experience, and certifications.
Which States Have the Best Welding Engineer Jobs?
If you wish to pursue high paying jobs within the industry, you should factor location into your job search. Educational requirements can also vary from state to state. According to Zippia.com, the top 5 states with the highest median pay for welding engineers in the United States were:
- Louisiana – $102,674
- Alaska – $97,026
- New York – $96,871
- Texas -$96,577
- California – $91,034
You can earn more than the median salary in most states in the U.S. However, states like Maine, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Indiana, Vermont, Iowa, Idaho, Arkansas, and Alabama may offer a salary lower than the national average.
Jobs in the city can get you a higher salary as compared to jobs in the rural areas. If you’re working in a hazardous location, you can also earn more comparatively.
Welding Engineer Career Paths
A welding engineer can take on more responsibilities and leadership positions as you progress in your career. A career map can help you explore your career goals as your progress in your career. You can also apply to senior welding engineer jobs after gaining experience.
You can become an engineering manager after the first few years of experience in a specific role. You can then transition to positions like operations manager, plant manager and eventually work as a manufacturing director or vice-president after 15 or more years of experience.
How Much Does a Welding Engineer Earn?
Specialist welding engineers with the desired levels of expertise and experience can earn as much as $161,000 in the aerospace industry.
The salary can vary according to the job location. An average person working as a welding engineer can earn an annual salary of $96,577 in Texas, while welding engineers in Kentucky earn a mean annual salary of $64,565.
Top Industries for Welding Engineers
The Aerospace industry offers one of the best salaries to welding engineers. Manufacturing industries in the areas of agriculture equipment, automotive components, construction equipment, aviation components, and mining equipment are also a great choice to kickstart your career.
You can also explore industries in the areas of light and heavy railway equipment, shipping, and maritime vessels that require the skills of a welder.
Infrastructure industries that specialize in bridge and highway construction, building and structural components, utilities, and power generation also require people with welding expertise.
You can always improve your job prospects by staying up-to-date with current skills such as computer-aided drawings, programming, robotics, etc.
Conclusion
Welding is a specialized field that is in high demand due to the rapid advancement of industries. You can get a high-paying job by acquiring relevant skills and staying up-to-date with current trends.
Explore the various programs offered at NEIT that offer comprehensive learning and hands-on experience to help you kickstart your career on the right note.
START YOUR WELDING CAREER
Earn your degree in Welding Engineering Technology from NEIT and begin your new career path today!
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
FAQ
Is welding engineering a good career?
Yes. Welding Engineering is a high-paying career option. Welding engineers with experience and certifications can also progress to managerial roles in the industry.
Are Welding Engineers in Demand?
Since welding is a highly specialized field, there is always a demand for skilled workers. The welding market will grow at a CAGR of 4.3%, further boosting engineers’ requirements.
Do Welders Make $100k?
The top 10 percent of welding engineers earned an average salary of $111,000 in 2021. Welders with special certification and work experience can also earn a salary upwards of $100k.
What Colleges Offer Welding Engineering?
Colleges such as New England Institute of Technology, LeTourneau University, Tulsa Welding School, and Mitchell Technical Institute offer comprehensive programs in welding engineering technology.