2025 Welding Career Outlook

It goes without saying that the welding industry plays a crucial role in manufacturing, construction, infrastructure projects, and more. Welders are the glue (or molten metal) that holds many  industries together, and as technology evolves and major projects ramp up across the country, the demand for skilled welding professionals is higher than ever!

According to projections from the American Welding Society, the industry needs approximately 330,000 new welding professionals by 2028, with 82,500 welding jobs needing to be filled annually from 2024 to 2028*. These numbers really highlight the urgent need to push for skilled welder training. They also highlight the fact that there’s never been a better time than now to break into field where your skills are desirable from the get-go!
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For those considering a career in welding, or for businesses looking to strengthen their workforce, understanding current job trends, skill requirements, and earning potential is key to success!

Since welding is an essential trade that is needed across various industries, from shipbuilding to pipeline construction, the career opportunity potential is pretty vast. As older welders retire and large-scale infrastructure projects increase, the demand for skilled welders is outpacing the supply. With demand continuing to rise, welding remains one of the most secure and stable career paths in the skilled trades.

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Driving Factors:

• Aging Workforce: Many experienced welders are reaching retirement age, creating a need for younger professionals to take their place.
• Expanding Infrastructure: Federal investments in bridges, highways, and transportation systems are creating job opportunities in welding-intensive industries.
• Manufacturing Growth: Automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy require skilled welders for production and maintenance.
• Defense and Maritime: Military contracts and shipbuilding projects require highly skilled welders with specialized certifications.

The welding workforce is uniquely diverse, with professionals working in a wide range of specialized roles. This diversity allows job seekers to choose from a variety of career paths that can be dictated by their personal interests and skills. There are boilermakers, sheet metal workers, structural ironworkers and steelworkers, metal fabricators and fitters, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, machine operators, welding instructors, welding inspectors, and much more!

• Welder/Fabricators 
• Ironworkers
• Pipefitters
• Shipfitters 
• Welding Inspectors

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• Manufacturing
  
• Construction
  
• Infrastructure
• Energy
  
• Maritime/Shipbuilding
  
• Aerospace

While welding salaries can vary depending on the job type, experience level, and location, welding still remains a well-paying trade with high earning potential! Nationally, boilermakers earn a median salary of $71,000 per year, structural ironworkers and steelworkers make around $58,000 per year, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn approximately $50,000 per year, and machine operators and tenders have a median income of $45,000 per year.*

Regionally, the Great Lakes area, which includes Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, accounts for over 25% of welding job demand, with salaries ranging from $44,000 to $84,000 per year*. In the Midwest and Southern states, lower costs of living make even the national median salary highly competitive. And for those looking to make the big bucks, pursuing welding certifications or exploring options like inspection roles can significantly increase your earning potential.

*2025 data and figures courtesy of the American Welding Society 

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The welding industry is in a period of strong growth, so if you’re looking for a excellent job security, a competitive salary, and plenty of career advancement opportunities, then welding might be the choice for you. With an aging workforce and rising demand, there is room for you in the 2025 workforce! Now is the perfect time- take advantage of it!

Interested in starting or advancing your welding career?​ Explore our comprehensive welder training program, work towards a new certification at our ATF test centers, or check out our ever-growing list of aid and scholarship programs and secure your place in this high-demand field!

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