Skilled Trades Insight: What is a Master Welder? The title of Master Welder carries a lot of weight in the profession, and for good reason. Anyone who has achieved this status has earned it through accumulating at least five years' experience in a welding career, and learning, not only their own craft, but ancillary crafts as well. Master Welders may be called upon to use their welding school skills in a variety of fields.
Basic Requirements of a Master Welder
The first requirement of Master Welders is precision. They must be able to consistently create near flawless welds with a failure rate below 5% in Magna Flux testing, and below 10% in X-ray testing. They must also be a journeyman fitter and be able to read blueprints as well. Master Welders are also able to cultivate good team skills, work safely and responsibly without supervision, and realize that not everything can be taught in welding school, so they must help the welders under them. It's not just a welding career to this professional, it's a commitment.
Job Opportunities for a Master Welder
There are many areas where a welding career may take the Master Welder after achieving a welding degrees. Structural welding is one of the more common ones and may include bridge and overpass construction as well as work on high-rise office buildings, refineries, power plants, and even shipbuilding. Another venue for the Master Welder is in the aerospace industry. There is no substitute for the trained eye of a seasoned professional when it comes to this type of metalwork.
Preparing to Become a Master Welder
Although welding can be taught on-the-job, it's difficult to proceed beyond the lower levels of welding and into the realm of the Master Welder without attending a dedicated welding school of some type. Whether a part of a college-level curriculum, or at a technical-vocational institution, becoming a Master Welder requires years of dedicated study and practice at a master welder program. However, that hard work is worth it for these skilled professionals.
Prospects for a Master Welder
With a growing need for welders as many countries begin the daunting task of rebuilding their infrastructures of highways, bridges, and public buildings, the prospects for a Master Welder are looking brighter all the time. Openings will depend, to a degree on the welding certifications a Master Weld has accumulated, but the current salary figures show that a Master Welder can earn an average of between $35,000 and $40,000 per year. Salaries depend upon the job and the geographic location. Studying to be a master welder is not a guarantee of employment.
