What is the Job Outlook for Welders?

More than 50% of all man-made products require welding. Many different industries employ welders so there are a variety of jobs available. Skilled welders will have a unique opportunity to have a career that can be shaped around their interests because of the high demand for skilled workers. Welding is used in:

• military applications
• aircraft and aerospace applications
• building construction
• automotive industry
• shipbuilding industry
• boiler industry
• job shops

The welding industry will face a shortage of about 400,000 welders by 2024, according to the American Welding Society. The average age of a welder is 55 and the coming wave of retirements will leave the US with a great deficit in skilled welders in the work force.  According to 2012 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the national jobless rate for 16- to 24-year-olds is 14.4 percent, which leaves young welders at a great advantage in comparison to their counterparts. Manufacturing has grown faster than the rest of the U.S. economy since the recession.  In a recent article from Bloomberg business, Gardner Carrick, was quoted saying, "For 20 years we stopped feeding young people into the trades, and now we’re scrambling to catch up" Because of this great welder shortage, welding will certainly a viable career choice for years to come with many job opportunities for those entering the field. Read the full article from Businessweek here.

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