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Welding Entry Jobs

Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:08 pm
Posted by Zephyrius
Wharton, La.
Member since Dec 2004
9519 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:08 pm
My son is getting his certification in welding. He sees some welder helper job listings and talked with some fabrication shops but the fab shops is more grunt work than welding starting out.

Where should he look to get work with no experience?
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
77752 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:08 pm to
He should look at being a helper.

He was likely told this while getting his certs. He decided against it and will learn he eventually has to do it for a bit. Even if short time while hopping looking for a better job.
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 3:10 pm
Posted by F1y0n7h3W4LL
Below I-10
Member since Jul 2019
3890 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:12 pm to
I learned to weld in ankle deep water on an offshore oil rig. The welder I was learning from turned to me and said, "Tickles a bit, don't it?!

You might direct him to drilling construction companies in Houston.
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 3:13 pm
Posted by williamfrench3559
Member since Mar 2026
82 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:23 pm to
quote:

but the fab shops is more grunt work than welding starting out.


Well, I guess you could buy him a new cab and chassis, outfit it with a bed and gear and turn him loose. Sounds like he's already boss material and too good to learn under men with experience. GL with his new LLC.
Posted by terd ferguson
Darren Wilson Fan Club President
Member since Aug 2007
114488 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

experience


That shite is overrated. Who needs experience when you have a cert? Baw will be a CWI in a few weeks.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47923 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

Where should he look to get work with no experience?

at a fab shop as a helper
Posted by redneck hippie
Oklahoma
Member since Dec 2008
6367 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:42 pm to
Shop welders don’t get paid much, around $20-25/hr.
The guys that are knocking down $75-85 typically specialize in a specific industry, like pipelines, refineries or aerospace. These jobs typically require a lot of travel
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 3:43 pm
Posted by Shaun176
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2008
3034 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:43 pm to
My nephew started as helper. It took him like 3 months to get promoted to welder.
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
16318 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:44 pm to
quote:

Where should he look to get work with no experience?


The fab shop
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 3:46 pm
Posted by Flat Town Tiger
Washington, La.
Member since Oct 2006
581 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:47 pm to
Put in the time, show some initiative and he'll be welding pretty soon. Add on some certs in other welding areas and he'll be rolling.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104826 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:47 pm to
El gaucho is always looking for a hand.
Posted by Stexas
SWLA
Member since May 2013
6941 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:48 pm to
No one is going to hire a newly certified greenie as a welder starting out and if they do they won’t be in business long.
Posted by Zephyrius
Wharton, La.
Member since Dec 2004
9519 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

My nephew started as helper. It took him like 3 months to get promoted to welder.

Thanks, he is just trying to figure what he can expect starting out.
Posted by kjp811
Denver, CO
Member since Apr 2017
1095 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:49 pm to
Our shop is hiring. We have a robust backlog on both sides of the shop, structural and pipe.

However, he would to the Denver area.
Posted by redneck hippie
Oklahoma
Member since Dec 2008
6367 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:52 pm to
quote:

My nephew started as helper. It took him like 3 months to get promoted to welder.


There is a huge shortage of welders today. It’s often the biggest bottleneck for manufacturers. I’m in multiple weld shops weekly. The turnover is crazy.

Welders helpers are the grunts that do most of the torch work, lays out parts, runs the saws and fetches the level bubbles. If your local labor market is like mine you’ll have a job quick
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
149422 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:53 pm to
quote:

Thanks, he is just trying to figure what he can expect starting out.
he can expect learning how to be employable. How to talk shop. How to not not be coddled by his uncle
Posted by UKWildcats
Lexington, KY
Member since Mar 2015
19476 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 3:57 pm to
You gotta pay your dues if you wanna play the blues,
And you know it don't come easy.

OP, I decided at 38 yrs old I was miserable doing what I was doing, even if I was making real good money and had excellent benefits. I hated where I was at and decided to change my career and thus my life. I decided on trade school and plumbing. I went to UK in my 20s, I'm educated, not some down and out baw who can't put 2 and 2 together.

I went back to school at night and worked during the day. I was hauling material, equipment, tools, grabbing parts, digging ditches, etc, for guys who were in their late 20s early 30s.

But I did what I had to do to establish myself and earn my spot.

Your son isnt too good to be a helper at a fab shop. Tell him to sack up and put in the work. You don't get to just jump ahead in line.
Posted by cubsfinger
On The Road
Member since Mar 2017
1859 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 4:38 pm to
Northshore?
Posted by UptownJoeBrown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2024
8656 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 4:47 pm to
quote:

Your son isnt too good to be a helper at a fab shop. Tell him to sack up and put in the work. You don't get to just jump ahead in line.


Typical behavior from kids nowadays. Dad should have raised him better.
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
4112 posts
Posted on 3/14/26 at 5:15 pm to
quote:

My son is getting his certification in welding

Certification doesn’t always equal to qualification, no knock on your son but he don’t know shite yet.
He needs to get on a job site as a helper and start learning the trade if he can weld it won’t take him long to move up with some ambition showing up and passsing a drug test.
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