Careers in Welding Technology
Career Outlook
Refer to this Wall Street Journal article, 'Where Have All the Welders Gone, As Manufacturing and Repair Boom?' to read about the positive employment outlook for welders.
The American Welding Society's follow-up to the Wall Street Journal article: Welder Shortage Requires New Thinking
What will I do on the job?
You may use your welding skills in many occupations, or you may choose to be a full-time welder.
- Boilermaker
- Maintenance
- Carpenter
- Construction
- Ironworker
- Manufacturing
- Sheet metal
- Mechanic
- Millwright
- Diesel mechanic
- Equipment repair
- Sign hanger
- Steam fitter
- Fabricator
- Pipe fitter
- Product sales
- Welding inspector
- Supervisor
- Pile buck
- Marine construction
- Electrician
- Sculpture
What skills will I use on the job?
PCC's welding program will assist you in developing your skills in:
- Stick welding
- Wire welding
- Tig welding
- Blueprint reading
- Welding processes and applications
- Welding inspection
- Mathematics
- Communication and job seeking skills
How much can I earn?
Approximate annual salaries in the Portland area:
- Starting: $25,000 - $30,000
- With experience: $30,000 - $46,000
Who will hire me?
Welders work for shipyards, manufacturers, contractors, federal, state, county and city governments, firms requiring maintenance mechanics and in repair shops.
Graduates of PCC's program have found positions with such firms as:
- Wagner Mining Equipment
- Cascade General
- Columbia Corp.
- Peerless Trailer
- Freightliner
- Coastal Trailer
- Sheet Metal Local #16
- R.A. Gray Company
- Royal Oaks Ornamental
- Sculptors
- Gunderson Inc.
- Oregon Iron Works
- Davis Tool
- Madden Industrial Craftsman
- R&M Recycling
- H&W Metals
- Fought & Company
- Harris Thermal Transfer