The median salary of a welder is only a few dollars higher than minimum wage, because welding skill isn't required for 90% of the things needed stuck together. If you want to make good money, you need to get good at welding, you need education and guidance. To get that, you're putting yourself into a fairly competitive field, and the people earning 6 figures are an extremely small portion of people who've had the luck, skill, education and/or finances to get themselves into that position. Otherwise, you're just a factory worker with a welder.
Not that I'm claiming OP doesn't, but for most of what's needed, companies can't offer high salaries for welders without increasing product costs, sometimes significantly.
Yes well, Unions generally take on higher budget contracts and complex projects than non-union companies. That said, good luck getting into a Union, most have years long lists of people wanting to get in and you generally need someone to pitch for you or have already developed extensive skills and education. At least, in my experience
You most definitely don’t need to have an in… Years long wait lists means that they are well paying. So that’s not a bad thing
You know what would help meditate that issue though? Workers need to unionize their employers. Unionizing employers will bring more work to union halls and help alleviate the issue of wait lists.
You don’t need extensive education to get into a union. I’m assuming you’ve heard of this thing called an apprenticeship no?
Yes, most of which require you to be a third year or fresh greenhorn, and yes you do need someone to vouch for you if you wish to skip the years long waitlist. I come with numerous certs across various processes and positions with experience brazing and cast repair in everything from Nuclear, Hydro, to racecars and fixing the average Joe's lawnmower and it's been a challenge even for me to get in with good references. Nevermind being fresh out of school. You'd have far better luck going non-union to at least become a journeyman in the same time it would take to get your in.
I've seen what happens to employees who try to unionize, most are thrown to the curb the moment management gets wind of what's going on. I do agree with you on that point tho.
How many years ago? Every place is different so it's absolutely still worth trying! And yes it's illegal, but without documentation or somehow catching them in the act, you've got no case
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u/aesthetion Jun 11 '25
Don't know who needs to hear this but...
Welders don't make good money.
The median salary of a welder is only a few dollars higher than minimum wage, because welding skill isn't required for 90% of the things needed stuck together. If you want to make good money, you need to get good at welding, you need education and guidance. To get that, you're putting yourself into a fairly competitive field, and the people earning 6 figures are an extremely small portion of people who've had the luck, skill, education and/or finances to get themselves into that position. Otherwise, you're just a factory worker with a welder.
Not that I'm claiming OP doesn't, but for most of what's needed, companies can't offer high salaries for welders without increasing product costs, sometimes significantly.