Welders are used in nearly every field of manufacturing, construction, shipping, and other trade and markets. This range of industries allows you to work with the military, ships and shipyards, pipelines, and oil rigs, program welding robots, or respond to industrial needs for repairs and upgrades.
In addition to steady job security, your expertise as a welder can earn you a healthy income at the high end of a standard job, up to $51,000 or more. Also, the more training and experience you have, the higher your earnings, and in some more specialized fields like underwater applications and military support functions, you can even make $200,000 or even $300,000 a year. Welders who are willing to travel and work in remote areas also have higher earning potential.
Engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year after graduation, while as a senior engineer or engineering manager, you can end up earning more than $100,000 a year.