Welding Technician Career Profile
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Job Overview
Welding technicians are highly trained professionals who support welding operations through inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and technical documentation. They often serve as the link between welders on the shop floor and engineers or quality managers. With a combination of hands-on skills and technical knowledge, welding technicians are essential to ensuring weld quality, code compliance, and production efficiency.
If you're detail-oriented and want a career that blends welding with inspection, planning, or automation, welding technician jobs may offer the perfect opportunity to build a rewarding future.
What Is a Welding Technician?
What Is a Welding Technician?
A welding technician is someone who helps ensure that welding projects meet engineering specifications, safety standards, and production goals. Welding technicians play a technical support role and are often involved in testing, setup, and inspection.
Typical job duties include:
- Reading blueprints, WPSs (Welding Procedure Specifications), and engineering drawings
- Assisting in weld procedure development and quality documentation
- Inspecting welds for defects and ensuring code compliance
- Setting up or calibrating welding machines for specific processes
- Supporting robotic or automated welding systems
- Communicating findings to welders, supervisors, and quality teams
Technicians must understand multiple welding processes (like GMAW, GTAW, SMAW) and have a working knowledge of metallurgy, weld symbols, and nondestructive testing (NDT).
Career Requirements
Career Requirements
What Skills or Credentials Do You Need to Become a Welding Technician?
To qualify for welding technician jobs, candidates typically need a combination of welding experience, technical education, and an understanding of industry standards.
Common requirements include:
- A high school diploma or GED (postsecondary education preferred)
- Completion of a welding technology certificate or associate degree
- Familiarity with AWS welding codes and quality standards
- Basic knowledge of inspection techniques (visual, destructive, or NDT)
- Proficiency in reading technical drawings and documentation
- Communication skills and attention to detail
Technicians may specialize in a particular area, such as welding robotics, inspection, or quality assurance. AWS certifications in welding or inspection can boost employability.
Salary & Career Outlook
Salary & Career Outlook
How Much Does a Welding Technician Make?
Welding technician jobs offer strong salaries, particularly for individuals who combine field experience with technical expertise and certifications.
Estimated salary ranges:
- Entry-level welding technicians: $45,000–$55,000 annually
- Mid-career technician with certifications: $60,000–$70,000 annually
- Senior technicians or those in QA/engineering support roles: $75,000+
Welding technicians are employed across a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, and defense. Demand is stable and growing as companies increase automation and quality assurance efforts.
Training & Certifications
Training & Certifications
How Do I Get Started as a Welding Technician?
Many welding technicians begin their careers in hands-on welding before transitioning into technical or support roles. Others start with a welding technology degree and specialize in areas like testing or automation.
Steps to get started include:
- Complete AWS certifications in one or more welding processes.
- Earn a certificate or associate degree in welding technology.
- Gain experience in quality inspection or production support.
- Learn to use testing tools and read welding codes (such as AWS D1.1).
- Stay current with new technologies, including robotics and NDT.
AWS offers certification and training options that align with the skills needed to succeed in welding technician jobs.
CAREER SPOTLIGHT
Akbar Millender’s competitive spirit has helped him climb the ladder at his manufacturing company – from a grinder out of high school to his current role as an operations manager. Click the video to see more.
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Welding Technician Job Demand
The map below shows current demand for welding technicians based on recent job postings. Demand is especially strong in manufacturing-heavy states and regions focused on infrastructure and defense projects.
Learn More About Welding Technician Careers
Learn More About Welding Technician Careers
Welding technicians play a vital role in quality assurance, inspection, and production support. With training, experience, and AWS certifications, you can pursue a steady and respected career that bridges the gap between welding and engineering.
Explore AWS resources to start or advance your career as a welding technician today.
Minimum Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Recommended Training
Welding-related work experience
Recommended Education
Certificate in welding, metals fabrication, machining, robotic welding, etc.
Preferred Education
Associate degree in welding, metals fabrication, engineering technology, etc.
Advanced Education
Bachelor’s degree in welding, material science, welding engineering, etc.
Recommended Certification
AWS Certified Welder