Georgia offers plenty of employment opportunities for welders and if you’re contemplating a career in this trade, there are many educational programs you can choose from.
The manufacturing industry accounts for roughly 11 percent of Georgia’s total output.
Although manufacturers of food, beverage, and tobacco products are the biggest manufacturer in this state there are many other factories that produce a variety of products, from chemicals to machinery.
Machinery manufacturers- one of the biggest employers for welders- contribute $3.7 Billion to Georgia’s economy.
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Job Description
Welders usually specialize in one or several types of materials and welding techniques.
Depending on the type of work they do and the field where they practice, welders can have multiple specializations:
- Construction welders
- Manufacturing welders
- Sheet metal welders
- Structural steel welders
- Sheet metal workers
- Industrial welders
- Rig welders
Job descriptions and earning prospects for welders vary depending on the field in which they specialize but also depending on the level of experience.
Usually, a welder is responsible for:
- Joining pieces of metal together
- Repairing metal components
- Melting metal components
- Reviewing blueprints
- Cutting the metal into shape
- Removing creases from molten metal
Occupational Hazards and Safety Issues
Another important thing you should know if you want to start a career as a welder is that following strict safety procedures is very important in order to avoid injury.
One of the most important risks welders face every day is the risk of burns.
To avoid them, welders use leather gloves and jackets with long sleeves.
The brightness of the weld may cause inflammation of the eye and in order to avoid this, welders use special helmets.
Depending on the materials they work with, welders may also be exposed to dangerous gases and there is also a risk of electrical shocks.
Employers have to make sure that welders work in well-ventilated areas.
Education Requirements
If you want to start a career as a welder, the first step is to finish high school.
Taking some technical education classes during high school is a very good idea and knowing math and how to read blueprints will prove very useful.
Welding training usually covers a variety of topics, such as mathematics, metallurgy, blueprint reading, pipe layout, and most programs also include a welding practicum.
The main welding techniques included in training programs are:
- Arc welding
- MIG welding
- TIG welding
- Hyperbaric welding
- Pipeline Welding
- Pipe-Fitting
Depending on the school and the program you may learn only one basic technique or several advanced welding techniques, such as underwater welding.
Costs also vary depending on the school you choose but usually range between $5,000 and $15,000.
You will also have to pay an application fee and a testing fee.
If the school you choose is in another town you should also take into account housing costs that can vary between less than $1000 and more than $10,000 depending on the location and the program duration.
Welding training usually lasts between 6-7 months and a few years.
In the table below we have compiled information about welding schools in Georgia.
39 Welding Schools in Welding Schools In Georgia
Some employers may be willing to hire inexperienced workers and prepare them through on-the-job training or cover the costs of training.
There are also certification programs available for welders.
Becoming certified is not always a requirement but it can improve your employment and earning prospects.
Employers usually prefer to hire welders who have a basic AWS Certified Welder certification.
This credential can be earned after passing an exam offered at one of AWS’s accredited testing facilities.
This exam consists of a written and a practical part.
Welder Salary in Georgia
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturers in Georgia employ 8.54% of the workforce, as of 2021.
According to salary.com, the median annual wage reported by entry-level welders in Georgia was $41,921.
This is lower than the average salary in Georgia calculated across all professions, which is $51,940 as of May 2020.
According to the report, this group included welders who have between 1-3 years of experience and those who don’t have any experience but have a degree or additional certification.
However, your salary as an entry-level welder in Georgia varies depending on many other factors, including the city and the local economy.
The lowest 10 percent of beginners reportedly earned less than $33,500 per year while the highest 10 percent make more than $53,000.
After earning a few years of experience you will be able to work independently, your skills will be perfected, and your salary will increase.
The same report calculated the median annual salary reported by welders with between 3-5 years of experience at $48,417 but welders with this level of experience can make anywhere between less than $38,000 and more than $60,000 depending on a variety of other factors.
Experienced welders reported salaries that averaged at $58,634, according to salary.com- with wages ranging between less than $45,000 and more than $76,000 per year.
Salaries for welders in Georgia also vary depending on the city.
Experienced welders in Albany reportedly made $55,708 per year while those in Savannah made $56,946.
Mid-level welders in Savannah earned $47,023 per year on average while those in Albany made $46,001.
The table below includes information about the average salary for mid-level welders in 10 major Georgia cities.
Annual Salary Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$48K | |
$76K |
Average Salary of Welders in Welding Schools In Georgia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $49,503 |
| Augusta | $46,831 |
| Columbus | $45,513 |
| Savannah | $47,023 |
| Athens | $49,152 |
| Macon | $46,692 |
| Roswell | $49,315 |
| Albany | $46,001 |
| Marietta | $49,362 |
| Valdosta | $45,089 |
