When you think of the space industry, you probably think of astronauts and rocket launches. You may not realize that the space industry is actually a very broad field with many different subfields. One of these subfields is welding. In fact, welders are in high demand throughout every sector of the space industry. There are welders who work on satellites or rockets and those who inspect them after they’ve been assembled. These professionals use heat and flames to fuse materials together so they become one piece instead of two. In this blog post, we explore how much NASA welders make and what it takes to land a job as a welder at NASA.
How Much Do Nasa Welders Make?
NASA welders can make upwards of $80,000 per year. The salary for a welder depends on experience, specialization, and location. For instance, a welder in the Los Angeles area may earn more than one in Houston. Welders are in high demand due to the increasing popularity of welding as a hobby and because of the need for welders in the manufacturing and construction industries. Many welders start their careers as apprentices and work their way up to higher-paying positions. Some welders also become certified welder professionals, which can lead to even higher salaries.
What Does A Welder Make At Nasa?
1. Entry-Level Pay
The starting salary for a welder at NASA is $43,000 per year. The average salary for a welder in the United States is $38,000. The entry-level pay for welders at NASA is higher than the national average by about $5,000. This salary does not include overtime pay or bonuses that many welders receive.
2. Pay Rate After Training/Experience
After an individual completes his or her training and gains experience in the field, the salary can increase to more than $100,000 per year. A welder who has been working at NASA for several years can make up to six figures depending on his or her position and level of experience.
3. Bonuses/Overtime Pay
When you work as a welder at NASA, you may be eligible to receive overtime pay and bonuses based on your performance and your employer’s needs. Overtime pay often depends on how many hours you work. For example, if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you can typically receive time and a half for each hour over 40. Bonuses are also common in the welding industry. These bonuses are usually related to how well your work meets the company’s standards or goals.
4. Career Paths
As a welder at NASA, you may be eligible to advance your career and earn more money in the future. For example, you can apply for a promotion if your work is exceptional. You can also apply for an apprenticeship or internship if you’re interested in becoming certified as a welder. It’s possible to work your way up the ladder and become a foreman or supervisor if you have enough experience and know-how.
How Much Does A Welder Make Per Hour?
1. Nasa Welder Salary
Salary is a very important factor in deciding whether to pursue a career in welding. A typical NASA welder earns around $45,000 per year. This is at the level of a senior specialist and is about the same as most welders in other industries. The amount of pay you earn will depend on your experience and whether you’re working with high-temperature metals or low-temperature metals. In addition, it will depend on how many hours you work and how much overtime you receive.
2. Nasa Welder Job Description
While the pay is comparable to other industries, there are some differences between working for NASA and other industries. For example, welding for NASA requires more specialized training than welding for other companies because of the extreme heat involved in welding at temperatures around 1,500°F (820°C). In addition, welder jobs require more time because they involve complex tasks such as joining pieces together while they are still hot and moving them around as they cool. In addition, welder jobs also require more flexibility in terms of scheduling because welding is often done at odd hours when the work site is closed.
3. Atypical Nasa Welder Salary
While NASA welders earn a very good salary, there are some welder jobs at NASA that pay less than average. Some of the lower-paying jobs include welding service technician or welding inspector. These two positions don’t require the same amount of training as other positions and can be filled by individuals with less than two years of experience.
How Much Does An Entry-Level Welder Make At Nasa?
- To become an entry-level welder, you need to have a degree in welding, a strong technical background, and experience in the industry.
- The entry-level training program at NASA is five months long. The program is divided into three phases: classroom training, on-the-job training (OJT), and field training.
- After completing the OJT phase, you’ll take an oral and written exam to become certified as a welder in the space industry. You’ll also have to pass a physical examination before you can work as an entry-level welder at NASA. You’ll be assigned to your first job based on your skills and qualifications after you pass the oral exam and physical examination.
- As an entry-level welder at NASA, you’ll make $21 per hour after taxes are taken out of your paycheck on most weeks of the year (if you work overtime, you’ll earn more).
How Many Welders Does Nasa Have On Staff?
1. Space Shuttle Program
The space shuttle program was the first NASA program to use welders. In the early days of this program, welders made repairs to the external tanks and boosters before they were shipped off to their final destinations. Welders also worked on the insides of the external tanks, which included heat shields, control panels, and wiring. The space shuttle program ended in 2011 with the final launch of Atlantis.
2. International Space Station (ISS)
Welding is still an important part of the ISS construction process since welding is a critical component in building this huge spacecraft into a fully functioning station. The astronauts who work on this project have to have excellent knowledge and skills in welding since they’re working with very sensitive equipment that could fail at any time. Even though NASA has retired most of its shuttle programs, it still needs welders for its current projects like the ISS and SLS rocket projects.
3. Space Launch System (SLS)
The SLS program is the next NASA rocket project to be launched into space. In fact, this rocket is already in development, and those who want to work for NASA as welders are required to have a great deal of knowledge and experience in welding. The SLS will be the first American rocket to use a new type of material called aluminum-lithium! This material will allow the rocket’s structure to be lighter but stronger than previous rockets.
Conclusion
Welding is one of the most important jobs in the space industry. If an astronaut is going to make it to the moon or Mars, their ship has to be built with high-quality welding. This means that welders are among the highest-paid workers in the space industry. As a welder, you can expect to make between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. To become a welder, you’ll need to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma. After that, you’ll need to be certified by a welding company and have 2-5 years of experience before you can apply for a job at NASA.
