Welding Career Statistics
- Welding has been practiced since the Bronze Age.
- Two out of three of welding jobs are in manufacturing.
- There were approximately 452,000 jobs in welding, soldering, and brazing in 2002.
- Median earnings for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were $14.02/hour in 2002. The top 10% earned over $21.79/hour.
- The top-paying industry that employs welders, solderers, and brazers was motor vehicle parts manufacturing. These employees earned an average hourly wage of $16.02.
- Machine setters, operators, and tenders in these fields earned an average of $13.90/hour.
- 55% of welders work a 40-hour work week, but many work overtime, up to 70 hours per week. Some work in 12-hour shifts.
- There are many different types of welding, including oxyfuel, electron beam, laser beam, resistance, electric arch, and forge welding.
- The Egyptians are the thought to be the first to use pressure, or solid-phase, welding (approx. 3000 B.C.)
- Welding can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. One danger is Metal Fume Fever, caused by breathing in zinc oxide fumes during welding or cutting galvanized metal.
- Brazing is the oldest form of metal-joining. Examples of brazing date back to 6000 B.C.
- A wall painting in a Thebes' tomb dating to 1475 depicts a brazing operation.
