If you live in West Virginia and consider finding a new career, welding could be the answer.
Read on in order to find out where you can get trained as well as tips and info about welding.
Job Responsibilities
You should first know what welding entails.
It is a process of connecting metals by melting them, using various tools.
A welder should know how to do this in both theory and practice.
The most important job duties are:
- Reading and comprehending the guidelines, drawings, and blueprints.
- The given guidelines should be followed at all times.
- Analyze the raw material to decide which of the 100 welding techniques should be used. Gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, and gas metal arc welding are the most common of the 100 techniques.
- Determining what tools should be used based on the chosen technique.
- Keeping the gear in good shape and ready to use. A welder sometimes needs to combine electrical and manual instruments to complete the project.
Reasons to Be a Welder in West Virginia
Welding is a fulfilling job, and your constructions will be there for a long time to come.
A welder works on large projects like the construction of various structures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities will increase by 6% in the next 6 years.
Some of the skills required include:
- Physical force and endurance
- Meticulousness
- Adroitness in using the hands
- Positional awareness skills
- Technical strengths
Median Wage in West Virginia
The average salary in West Virginia is $34,893 per year, with the top 10% of welders making about $40,086 in a year.
The median wage in the rest of the US is $39,606 per year, while a top 10% welder earns $45,500 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Certified Welders in West Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,077 |
| Huntington | $34,980 |
| Parkersburg | $35,170 |
| Wheeling | $38,679 |
| Morgantown | $38,679 |
| Weirton | $38,549 |
| Fairmont | $38,679 |
| Beckley | $35,760 |
| Clarksburg | $34,853 |
| Martinsburg | $40,042 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 150 | $42,540 | $20.45 | $52,480 | $29,320 |
| Charleston, WV | 180 | $52,430 | $25.21 | $83,660 | $30,650 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 580 | $48,310 | $23.23 | $82,700 | $32,190 |
| Morgantown, WV | 130 | $49,200 | $23.65 | $65,310 | $31,200 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 90 | $46,130 | $22.18 | $61,360 | $31,540 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 190 | $57,270 | $27.53 | $96,910 | $33,280 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 110 | $50,110 | $24.09 | $96,310 | $23,370 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where Can I Work in West Virginia?
You can work in many industries, such as:
- Building bridges and other constructions
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace applications
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries
- Constructing boats
- Car & motorbike fabrication and repair
Best Training Schools in West Virginia
The American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program approved 13 schools.
They all provide required welding classes like Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG).
In order to be able to work as a welder, you will need your GED or a high-school diploma.
There are also some schools that accept 10th-grade students, although rarer.
13 Welding Schools in West Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Academy Of Careers And Technology | 390 Stanaford Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 United States |
| Ben Franklin Career Center | 500 28Th St Dunbar, WV 25064 United States |
| Cabell County Career Tech | 1035 Norway Avenue, Huntington, WV 25705 United States |
| Carver Career Center | 4799 Midland Dr, Charleston, WV 25306 United States |
| Fayette Institute of Technology | 300 W Oyler Ave, Oak Hill, WV 25901 United States |
| Fred Eberle Technical Center | Rt 5 Box 2, Buckhannon, WV 26201 United States |
| Mercer County Technical Education Center | 1397 Stafford Dr, Princeton, WV 24740 United States |
| Potomac State College | 101 Fort Ave, Keyser, WV 26726, USA |
| PRT Vo-Tech Center | State Route 2 Harmony Acres, P.O. Box 29, St. Mary's, WV 26170-0029 United States |
| Putnam County Technical Center | 101 Roosevelt Blvd, Eleanor, WV 25070 United States |
| Roane-Jackson Technical Center | 4800 Spencer Road, Leroy, WV 25252 United States |
| United Technical Center | Route 3 Box 4 C, Clarksburg, WV 26301 United States |
| West Virginia University | 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104 United States |
As the information provided might change, we suggest you to double-check it.
Other Job Opportunities in West Virginia
You may also want to look into:
- Boiler making
- Plumbing, Pipe-fitting, and Steamfitting
- Sheet Metal Work
Conclusion
Now that you know what welding schools there are in West Virginia, you can start your training.
Hopefully, this article helped you learn more about this promising career.
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