If you live in Washington and plan to become a welder, this article is just what you need.
You will learn more about this job and where you can get trained to start working.
Welding – An Introduction
If you’re thinking about becoming a welder, you should first learn what this job is all about.
To achieve this, you need to heat the metals and melt them using various tools.
Welding is a practice in which pieces of metal are connected together.
Knowing how to read blueprints and guidelines is also important, well as being meticulous and physically strong.
As a welder, you will be working with a variety of tools and welding techniques.
Preferred Welding Techniques
Many of the 100 techniques aren’t commonly used.
The most used ones are:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)
- Plasma Arc Welding
- Flux-Cored Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
- Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG)
- Gas or Oxy-Acetylene Welding
Why Become a Welder in Washington
While becoming a welder is a personal decision, there are factors that weigh in more than others.
Pursuing this career will help you have a stable income, and many job opportunities.
According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the next 6 years welding jobs will see a 6% increase.
Median Salary in Washington
An average US welder makes $39,390 per year, with a top 10% welder’s salary totaling $62,100 in a year.
In Washington, a welder has a wage of $48,160 per year, and a top 10% welder makes $66,020 yearly.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Certified Welders in Washington
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $43,462 |
| Spokane | $39,289 |
| Tacoma | $42,224 |
| Vancouver | $41,291 |
| Bellevue | $43,462 |
| Everett | $42,379 |
| Federal Way | $42,224 |
| Kent | $42,139 |
| Yakima | $39,250 |
| Bellingham | $40,438 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 320 | $60,240 | $28.96 | $74,400 | $46,180 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 760 | $66,700 | $32.07 | $82,780 | $46,650 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 220 | $62,450 | $30.03 | $80,240 | $42,860 |
| Longview, WA | 200 | $58,380 | $28.07 | $78,630 | $43,120 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 340 | $61,150 | $29.4 | $78,980 | $49,180 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 120 | $58,350 | $28.05 | $79,640 | $46,800 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,320 | $65,580 | $31.53 | $81,420 | $47,620 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 680 | $55,350 | $26.61 | $69,300 | $43,360 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 100 | $55,120 | $26.5 | $64,700 | $40,490 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 70 | $52,760 | $25.36 | $74,370 | $37,860 |
| Yakima, WA | 280 | $52,780 | $25.38 | $64,960 | $38,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Best Schools in Washington
Before getting hired as a welder, you need to take a course.
This will help you get the certification you need to work as one.
Have a look at the available schools in this state, and remember all are American Welding Society (AWS) approved.
Seattle Courses
Tulsa Welding School is the best school in this city and provides more than welding classes.
You can get certified to work in:
- Financial assistance
- Career services & part-time job help
- Housing & transportation support
Underwater Training Schools
The Divers Institute of Technology is a top school in Washington which offers marine diving technology training.
Top Schools in the State
Below is a list of all the schools where you can get trained:
18 Welding Schools in Washington
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Anvil Welding Instruction | 4227 E. Trent Ave Spokane, WA 99202 United States |
| Big Bend Community College | 7662 Chanute Street North East, Moses Lake, WA 98837 United States |
| Blackwell Job Corps Center | 4155 County Highway H, Laona, WA 54541 United States |
| Bremerton School District | Number 100 C134 North Marion Ave, Bremerton, WA 98312 United States |
| Centralia College | 600 W Locust, Centralia, WA 98532 United States |
| Columbia Basin Job Corp Center | 6739 24th Avenue, Building 2402, Moses Lake, WA 98837 United States |
| Curlew Job Corps Center | 3 Campus Street, Curlew, WA 99118 United States |
| Grays Harbor College | 1620 Edward P Smith Dr, Aberdeen, WA 98520 United States |
| Lake Washington Technical College | 11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 United States |
| Lincoln High School | 701 S 37, Tacoma, WA 98408 United States |
| Olympic College-Bremerton/Shelton | 1600 Chester Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337 United States |
| Skagit Valley College | 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 United States |
| Southeast Area Technical Skill Center | 525 Campus Loop, Walla Walla, WA 99362 United States |
| Spokane Skill Center | 4141 N Regal St, Spokane, WA 99207 United States |
| Tri-Tech Skills Center | 5929 W. Metaline Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336 United States |
| Upper Columbia Academy | 3025 E Spangle Waverly Rd, Spangle, WA 99031 United States |
| Walla Walla Community College | 204 S College Ave, College Place, WA 99324 United States |
| West Sound Technical Skills Center | 101 National Ave. N, Bremerton, WA 98312 United States |
As the info might change, double-check it to make sure it’s updated.
Other Job Opportunities in Washington
Some of the jobs similar to welding are soldering and brazing.
However, they are not exactly the same.
Soldering and brazing require lower temperatures compared to welding, which is about 850 degrees Fahrenheit.
In brazing, sturdier structures can be created due to the higher temperature used.
These 2 different techniques use fillers to connect the metal, while a welder doesn’t use any additional substances.
Safety Precautions for Welders
As you will be working with heat and metals, make sure you stay safe on the job.
Below are some tips:
- Analyze all the guidelines and tips in the safety manuals.
- These will help you avoid dangerous accidents.
- Purchase good quality gear such as welder’s gloves, jacket, shoes, helmet, and glasses.
- These should have auto-darkening functions.
- Remember to keep your skin away from the heat.
- The area you perform your job in should be organized, clean, and allow enough air in.
Conclusion
Now that you know what you need to work in welding, check out the schools and choose the best course!
Welding Schools by City
This page is also available in Spanish.
