Welding Career

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There will be sparks flying, but no one dying. On a job site or welding school, safety is important. In order to pursue a welding career, one must first understand the education/training, advancements/salaries, and benefits/hazards. First, to get into a trade school or union, a high school diploma will be needed. There is no need to have prior experience, but it will help (“Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S”). It will take about two years to get an associate degree. There is something called a certification program, which is around six to eighteen months. There are also apprenticeships (Constantine). Training is available through high school shop classes. In addition, training can be done through …show more content…
It is $123,598 (“Stick Welder Salary in Illinois - Average Salary”). The high end is considered anything over $74,880 (“Stick Welder Salary in Illinois - Average Salary”). The low end is anything less than $34,125 (“Stick Welder Salary in Illinois - Average Salary”). Both Ohio and Michigan are on the lower end with an average of $39,000 (“Stick Welder Salary in Illinois - Average Salary”). In Illinois, the average income for a union pipeline welder is $68,215. The average national income is $71,593. The high end is $84,791. The low end is $42,637 (“Salary: Union Pipeline Welder in Illinois (February, 2024)”). Finally, just like any job, welding has its own hazards. To stay safe on the job or at training, it is important to wear PPE. This stands for Personal Protective Equipment (Constantine). An important risk to be aware of are dangerous gases. These include nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and metals like lead (Constantine). Inhaling these gases can cause respiratory issues. Burns can be from sparks (Constantine). If there is any unprotected skin, a sunburn can possibly appear (“Welding Sunburn: What is It? How to Prevent