Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers join metal parts together using heat and pressure. The work is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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You use heat and specialized equipment to fuse metal pieces together or cut and shape metal materials. Your day involves inspecting equipment and materials for quality and safety, monitoring welding processes to catch problems early, and handling heavy materials and tools. You read technical drawings and blueprints to understand what needs to be joined. The work requires precision, attention to detail, and the ability to work in different positions and environments. You may work on structures, pipelines, ships, or manufactured goods depending on your employer.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earn a median of $53,750 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 45,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most welders start with a high school diploma or equivalent and then complete on-the-job training or a formal welding program. Many community colleges and trade schools offer welding courses that teach you the fundamentals of different welding techniques, safety practices, and blueprint reading. Some employers hire entry-level workers and provide training on the job. As you gain experience, you can specialize in different welding processes or materials. Building a portfolio of your work helps you advance and move into supervisory or inspection roles.
Your path might be a community college program, an apprenticeship, or learning on the job. If you are exploring which route fits your timeline and goals, Pathly can map the welder, cutter, solderer, and brazer path that fits you with your school counselor or career advisor to build a step-by-step plan.
Many welder, cutter, solderer, and brazers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to hands-on work with tools and materials. You like solving practical problems, paying close attention to detail, and seeing the results of your effort right away.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).