From manufacturing plants to shipbuilders and car manufacturers, many industries use pieces that are made out of metal and need good welders to join these pieces together.
If you are located in Virginia and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career in welding, on this page we have compiled relevant information about this career path and what you should expect on your journey and future profession.
Contents
How to Become a Welder
If you want to become a certified welder, there are several steps you need to follow:
- Finish high school or get your GED- a high school diploma or equivalent will usually be required before admission to a trade school
- Find the right training program
- Learn and practice for the welding certification testing offered by the American Welding Society- this is not always a requirement but it can improve your earning prospects.
From trade schools to community colleges, there are many places where you can learn how to weld in Virginia.
Although curriculum varies depending on the institution, a good welding school will usually teach you all the important skills you need for entry-level employment as a welder, such as:
- Cutting
- Arc welding
- Blueprint reading
- Brazing
- Equipment setup and operation
- Safety procedures
To help you research the programs that are available in your region, in the table below we have compiled information about schools that offer welding training programs in Virginia.
47 Welding Schools in Welding Schools In Virginia
Welders in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage in Virginia is $60,160 as of May 2020.
The median wage for Virginia welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $48,720 per year.
Manufacturers are one of the biggest employers for welders and in Virginia, there are many manufacturers who can offer you a job.
Manufacturers in Virginia account for $8.21 percent of the state’s total output and employs approximately 5.97% of the state’s total workforce, according to the National Association of Manufacturers
The total output for all manufacturers was approximately $45.72 Billion in 2019.
The industry of fabricated metal products manufacturing accounts for approximately $2.4 Billion of the state’s total output.
The total output was $1.8 Billion for manufacturers of motor vehicles and parts and $1.8 Billion for machinery manufacturers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturers of metal products, motor vehicle, and parts manufacturers, and machinery manufacturers are some of the biggest employers for welders.
As a welder in Virginia, your job prospects are looking good especially if you an experienced welder who has completed some post-secondary training.
Salaries for Welders in Virginia
According to salary.com, the median annual wage for Virginia welders with less than 3 years of experience is $43,069 as of April 2021, which means that half of all entry-level welders earned less than this amount while half earned more.
This is lower than the state average but salaries increase as welders become more experienced and earn additional certifications.
As an entry-level welder, you can make anywhere between less than $35,000 and more than $55,000.
Earning a post-secondary degree or certificate and learning multiple welding techniques can improve your starting salary.
The same report calculates the median annual salary for welders with 3-5 years of experience at $49,743 with wages ranging between less than $39,000 and more than $61,000 depending on other factors, including the industry of employment and the level of education.
Welders with 5-7 years of experience reportedly earn $60,240 per year on average.
The lowest 10 percent of experienced welders reportedly made less than $45,978 while the highest 10 percent made more than $78,119.
Annual Salary Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$49K | |
$78K |
Average Salary of Welders in Welding Schools In Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $47,400 |
| Norfolk | $46,686 |
| Chesapeake | $46,627 |
| Richmond | $49,473 |
| Newport News | $46,448 |
| Hampton | $46,448 |
| Alexandria | $55,194 |
| Portsmouth | $46,686 |
| Roanoke | $45,839 |
| Lynchburg | $45,669 |
