Automotive Welder Career | Find Automotive Schools

Overview of an Automotive Welder

The BLS categorizes automotive welders under the same group of occupations as cutters, solderers and brazers. Welders work in different industries. However, automotive welders work specifically in car manufacturing and racing. They maintain and operate machines that repair and fabricate metal structures. These machines heat and join metal parts together.

Automotive welding is a very challenging task. These professionals use measuring tools, cutters and shapers when working. They may also need to operate laser beam machines or laser cutters, study blueprints and specifications, calculate dimensions and inspect materials that need welding. Welders are also trained to smoothen and polish metal surfaces and make sure that overheating won?t happen while the welding process goes on.

Automotive welders generally work indoors, but they may also work outdoors on a high platform or scaffold. Their indoor working area is specially designed to contain sparks and glare. They work 40 hours a week but may have to put in overtime. This is especially true for those who are working at car manufacturing companies where they have to meet production schedules. With this, automotive welders may have to work round the clock if necessary. They may also work during the weekends.?Automotive welders are exposed to many hazardous tasks every day. They are prone to burns as they usually work with hot materials. However, this is highly preventable with the use of protective clothing such as goggles, shoes, masks and lenses. All of this protective equipment is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In addition, it is paramount that employers provide safe working areas for welders. They must be well-ventilated to protect them from inhaling dangerous gasses and particulates while performing their jobs. Nevertheless, all these occupational hazards are highly preventable if both employers and welders observe safe working practices and standards.

Automotive welding is a great option for car enthusiasts and those who are interested in the welding process. Before deciding on getting into this career field, aspiring welders should ensure that they completely understand what this job is all about. They have to be physically and mentally prepared. There are many courses available that will help them become a professional automotive welder.

Education Requirements for an Automotive Welder

Individuals who plan on becoming automotive welders should start their preparations as early as high school. Taking courses in welding and other related technical skills is a good start.

There are also formal training programs for welders offered at community colleges, vocational-technical schools and some private welding schools. Those who have taken courses like shop mathematics, blueprint reading, physics, metallurgy and mechanical drawing prior to enrolling in welding programs will surely find them valuable. Generally, training lasts from a few weeks to a year. This is especially true when students combine on-campus and on the job training.

Many employers hire automotive welders who have no experience. They usually offer them further training. However, employers always prefer those who have completed formal training and apprenticeship programs.

After training completion, automotive welders should obtain general welding certifications or those for specific skills. Welders who opt for highly specialized welding areas may take American Welding Society certification courses thatcover the following topics.

• Welding theory
• Welding codes
• Gas tungsten arc welding
• Pipe welding
• Flux-cored welding
• Blueprint reading
• Fabrication welding
• Metal arc welding

Completing the courses and earning certification means the welder has mastered the craft. With this, they become more attractive to employers. Additionally, welders should have the physical strength, dexterity, stamina and visual acuity to keep up with the demands of this career. They should also be detail oriented and have good technical and troubleshooting skills.

Benefit of an Automotive Welder

The BLS reports that automotive welders earn a median wage of $35,450 annually or $17.04 per hour. The top 10 percent receive salaries that are as much as $53,690 while the bottom 10 percent earns about $23,940 or less. Factors like experience, employer, location, company size and employment status affect their salary rates. According to experts, there are some welders who can make as much as $100,000 annually. This is especially true for those who have been in the industry for many years and those who continuously seek further training and certifications to enhance their knowledge and skills. Welders with basic skills earn as much as $10 to $12 per hour. The rate goes higher as they gain more experience.

Where do Automotive Welder Work?

The BLS also says there is an excellent employment outlook for automotive welders and welders in general including cutters, brazers and solderers. From 2010 to 2020, there is expected to be 15 percent growth. That is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The increasing utilization of welding in the automotive and manufacturing industries will drive these demands. What is great about being a welder is that the skills are applicable in almost all industries that need welding.

About 50,700 more welding positions will need to be filled within the decade. However, employers will tend to become more meticulous when hiring automotive welders. They will prefer those who have sufficient training in more complicated technologies and using high end welding machines.

The motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing industry comes fifth in the industries with highest levels of employment for welders. Meanwhile, it ranks fourth when it comes to the levels of concentration. Alaska, Hawaii, District of Columbia, Wyoming and Nevada are the top five highest paying states for automotive welders paying out $67,980, $56,510, $52,000, $49,260 and $45,240 on average respectively.

Source: http://findautomotiveschools.com/automotive-welder-career

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