Your Roadmap to Welding Success: From Newbie to Pro-Level Income.

From beginner to expert—Progressive Welding Solutions trains and equips welders for the future of fabrication with CNC, laser, and robotic technology.

Welding is more than just melting metal—it's a skill that builds bridges, vehicles, skyscrapers, and even careers. Whether you're fresh out of school, changing careers, or upgrading your skill set, this comprehensive guide from Progressive Welding Solutions will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a professional welder—from entry-level to expert—with income insights, certification pathways, and career opportunities.

A Quick Look at the History of Welding

Welding dates back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used heat to join metal as early as 3000 B.C. Fast forward to the 19th and 20th centuries, and electric arc welding and gas welding revolutionized industries. Today, modern welding is a high-tech trade used across automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, infrastructure, and fabrication industries worldwide.

The Types of Welding You Should Know

Different welding methods are used based on the job, material, and environment. Here are the most common ones:

1. MIG Welding (GMAW)

• Best For: Automotive repair, fabrication, general metalwork

• Pros: Easy to learn, fast, clean

• Wire Sizes: 0.023", 0.030", 0.035", 0.045" (affects penetration and metal thickness)

• Shields: Uses gas (CO2 or Argon mix)

2. Stick Welding (SMAW)

• Best For: Structural steel, outdoors, construction

• Pros: Works in windy conditions, good for thicker metals

• Electrodes: E6010, E6011, E7018—each suited for different strengths and environments

3. TIG Welding (GTAW)

• Best For: Aerospace, stainless steel, aluminum, precise welds

• Pros: Highest quality, precise, great for thin metals

• Cons: Slower, requires more skill and coordination

4. Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

• Best For: Heavy equipment, shipyards, thick materials

• Pros: Great penetration, good for outdoors, high deposition rates.

Welding Levels Explained (And What You Earn at Each Stage)

Level 1 Welder – Beginner

• Skills: Basic joint welding, safety knowledge, simple blueprints

• Certifications: OSHA 10, entry-level welding cert (e.g., AWS SENSE Level 1)

• Wages: $15–$20/hour or $30K–$40K/year

• Get Certified: Community colleges, trade schools, or AWS-accredited testing centers

• Common Jobs: Fabrication shops, auto repairs, apprenticeships

Level 2 Welder – Intermediate

• Skills: Flat, horizontal, vertical welds; better blueprint reading; setup

• Certifications: AWS D1.1 Structural Steel, or pipe welding certs

• Wages: $20–$28/hour or $40K–$60K/year

• Jobs: Construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, welding inspectors (in training)

Level 3 Welder – Advanced

• Skills: All-position welding, pipe welding, TIG on exotic metals

• Certifications: ASME Section IX, API 1104 (for pipelines)

• Wages: $30–$45/hour or $65K–$100K/year

• Jobs: Oil & gas, pipelines, marine structures, aerospace parts

Level 4 Welder – Expert

• Skills: Weld procedure creation, code-level compliance, mentoring, NDT understanding

• Certifications: Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Senior Certified Welder

• Wages: $100K–$250K+/year

• Jobs: Shutdown welding, nuclear plants, offshore, consulting, business owner.

Certifications You’ll Need (and Where to Get Them)

Find schools via:

• American Welding Society (www.aws.org)

• Local trade schools or technical colleges

• Union training programs (e.g., UA Local)