Welders join pieces of metal together and repair broken objects that are made of metal.
Because many industries use metals in their manufacturing process, this profession will continue to be needed in the future.
If you are located in Michigan and you want to explore a career in welding, on this page we have compiled information about educational alternatives, salary prospects, and what you should expect in your future profession.
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What Do Welders Do?
Although this profession is very complex, a broad definition is that welders use machinery that emits high heat to join pieces of metal and repair damaged parts
The biggest employer for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the United States are metal manufacturers, specialty trade contractors, and businesses in the field of repair and maintenance, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the same report, approximately 5 percent of all welders were self-employed.
Before being ready to venture into your own welding business you will need to gain some experience in a factory or welding shop.
Read further to find out more about a welder’s job description, employment prospects, and training options.
Job Prospects
Employment for this profession is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, with most job openings occurring on infrastructure repair and rebuild projects, according to BLS.
Welders who have completed post-secondary training and have a certificate offered by the American Welding Society will have the best employment prospects.
How to Become a Welder
If you want to become a certified welder in Michigan, the first step is to finish high school because most employers, trade schools, and community colleges that offer welding training programs require a high school diploma or GED equivalent for admission.
After graduating from high school the next step is to do your research and find the right training program for you.
Most post-secondary programs are designed to prepare students for a career in welding right after graduation, covering a variety of useful topics, such as:
- Cutting
- Arc welding
- Blueprint reading
- Brazing
- Equipment setup and operation
- Safety procedures
Depending on the type of program and its complexity, welding programs can last between 7 months and 2 years.
Some offer only in-person classes while others combine online education with classroom training and practicum.
Costs vary between a few thousand and more than $15,000 depending on the duration of the program and the type of credential it offers.
Diploma programs usually are shorter and less expensive than programs that offer an associate’s degree.
In the table below we have compiled information about educational programs for welders that are available in Michigan.
You can use this as a starting point in your research.
40 Welding Schools in Welding Schools In Michigan
After earning your diploma or degree, a thing that will help you in your career is to sit for the welding certification testing offered by the American Welding Society.
Welders in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest employer for welders is the field of fabricated metal product manufacturing, machinery manufacturers, and manufacturers of fabricated metal products.
The manufacturing industry in Michigan accounts for 18.55% percent of the state’s total output, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, and employs 14.32% of Michigan’s total workforce.
Fabricators of motor vehicle parts are the biggest manufacturers in Michigan, followed by machinery manufacturers, and fabricators of metal products.
BLS lists Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI as one of the metropolitan areas with the highest employment level for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers.
In this region, the average hourly wage for workers in these professions was $21.34 summing up to $44,490 per year.
Salaries for welders in Michigan vary widely depending on experience level.
The median annual wage for entry-level welders is $43,363 as of April 2021, according to salary.com
Salaries for welders with less than three years of experience vary between less than $35,000 and more than $55,000.
Mid-level welders in Michigan reported salaries that averaged at $50,084, with salaries ranging between less than $40,000 and more than $62,000.
Most experienced welders earned between $46,000 and $78,000 with the median calculated at $60,652.
Salaries also vary depending on the city and the local economy and below we have compiled salary information from some of the top Michigan cities as reported by salary.com for the month of May 2021.
Annual Salary Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$49K | |
$79K |
Average Salary of Welders in Welding Schools In Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $50,430 |
| Grand Rapids | $48,084 |
| Warren | $50,430 |
| Flint | $46,217 |
| Sterling Heights | $50,271 |
| Lansing | $47,995 |
| Ann Arbor | $51,163 |
| Livonia | $50,271 |
| Dearborn | $50,430 |
| Westland | $50,598 |
