Welding is a great job for anyone who wants to stay hands-on, work outdoors, and have the opportunity to grow with their career. Welders make an average of $20 an hour and can even earn up to $40 per hour as they gain more experience. The demand for welders continues to grow as the need for steel, metal fabrication, and other types of fabrication increases. If you’re interested in becoming a welder but don’t know where to start, this article will give you everything you need to know about how to make money welding on the side.
How To Make Money Welding On The Side
1. Find A Local Fabrication Shop
In order to find a fabrication shop that will hire you, you first need to find out where the nearest one is. A great place to start is by doing a Google search for “fabrication” + your area code. This will give you an idea of what kind of businesses are in your area and how far away they are. Once you know where the closest fabrication shops are, contact them and ask if they have positions available for welders. If they don’t have positions available, ask if they would be willing to set up an interview with their owner or manager so that you can show them what kind of work experience you have and get hired.
2. Find Work Experience That Will Help You Get Hired
If the fabrication shop has openings available, they will want to see that you have experience welding on the side before hiring you full-time. In order to do this, try finding work experience with a local welding shop that has a good reputation for hiring welders. You should also check out the Fabrication Jobs section of The Welding Institute’s website or find a local welding organization on Facebook or LinkedIn and ask if they have any openings. When you have found work experience that you think will help you get hired, send it to the fabrication shop with a cover letter that explains why you think this experience will help them hire you.
3. Ask Around For Referrals
If you don’t have any work experience to show the fabrication shop, try asking around for some references from other welders who have worked there before. If possible, ask your friends and family members if they know anyone who can refer you to the fabrication shop. You can also find out who is working there by looking at their website or calling them up and asking if they would be willing to give you a reference. Once you have found someone who is willing to give a reference, write up a cover letter explaining why you think they will be a good reference. Include any work experience that you have had, and ask them to forward this reference to the fabrication shop.
4. Complete An Application & Interview
Once you have found work experience that you think will help you get hired, complete an application on the fabrication shop’s website and submit it. Once the fabrication shop has received your application, they will call or email you for an interview. When they call or email, make sure to ask them if there are any questions that they would like answered before the interview so that it is easier for them to hire you. If possible, try sending in your resume as well so that they can see what kind of welding skills you have and how well-prepared you are for the job. When the interview comes around, make sure to dress nicely and show up on time because most places prefer applicants who are professional and courteous when they come in for interviews.
What You Need To Know About Becoming A Welder
1. You Need A High School Diploma
A high school diploma is required for any welding job you want to take. Some states also require certification. Welding certification is based on the National Institute for Certification of Welder (NICW) test, which all welders must pass before they can start working in the field.
2. You Need A Valid Driver’s License
You will need a valid driver’s license to drive to and from your welding job sites and other places where you may be asked to work. The only exception is when you are driving to and from an approved welding school or training program that gives you permission to operate vehicles on their premises.
3. You Need Experience Welding Before You Can Get Paid For It
Before you can get paid for welding, you need experience doing it on your own time in order to learn how to weld safely and effectively. Most employers look for someone with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in welding, but it is not a requirement. In fact, many employers prefer welders who have had some experience welding before they start working with them.
4. You Need To Be Worthy Of Your Boss’s Trust
If you don’t have the best reputation for being trustworthy, your boss may not want to hire you because he or she doesn’t trust you to complete your job without causing damage to the structure or equipment under repair. Having a clean driving record and no criminal record are also important for any employer who hires you as a welder.
5. You Need To Have Realistic Expectations For Welding Jobs
You need to understand that most welding jobs are paid by the hour, so be prepared for that fact before you decide on which type of welding job is right for you. If your goal is just to make some extra money on the side while continuing your education, consider taking an entry-level welding job, such as a welder’s helper.
Licensing And Certification Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old to work as a welder.
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass a state-approved welding test.
- You must complete an apprenticeship of at least 2,500 hours with a licensed or certified welder, and pass an exam administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or the American Welding Society (AWS).
- You must have no more than one minor moving violation in the past 3 years, with no major moving violations in the past 3 years.
- You must not have been convicted of any felony or crime involving violence or dishonesty within the past 10 years.
Equipment And Tools
1. Masking Tape.
Masking tape is an essential tool for any welder. It’s cheap, easy to find, and can be used for many things. Masking tape is great for masking off areas that you don’t want the weld to touch, marking areas where you want to weld, and generally creating a safe work environment.
2. Welding Helmet And Safety Glasses.
It’s important to wear a welding helmet when you’re welding up close as it protects your eyes from the intense light produced by the welding process. Welders also wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from flying sparks, flying debris, and other dangers that come with working with equipment at close range. You could also use welding goggles if you prefer not to wear a helmet or safety glasses while welding up close.
3. Welding Gloves Or Other Protective Gear (E.G., Leather Gloves).
Welders often use protective gear to protect their hands and arms from the intense heat that comes with welding. Welders may wear a pair of leather gloves or use protective gear like welding gloves, safety glasses, and even welding boots.
4. Welding Helmet And Safety Glasses.
Safety glasses are another essential piece of equipment for welding. Welders wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from the intense light produced by the welding process. Welders also wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from flying sparks, flying debris, and other dangers that come with working with equipment at close range. You could also use welding goggles if you prefer not to wear a helmet or safety glasses while welding up close.
Conclusion
Welding is a great part-time job with a bright future ahead of it. It’s also a job that can easily be done from home and on the side as a way to earn a little extra cash on the side. While it’s important to learn the basics before jumping into the field, it’s also important to remember that welding is a skill that can be cultivated over time with practice.
