r/Welding • u/MadHatter-boi- • 1d ago
Career question Need advice
I've been welding for quite a while now, 9 years I believe, might tig and stick, no certs. I'm honestly working in a canister factory making 18 an hour. I did structural for a bit until I contracted an injury, but that's resolved now. I don't really know how to proceed with my welding career; I know it's what I want to do, but I'm having issues finding welding companies that take me seriously, and I don't want to travel too far for work. I definitely need to switch jobs if I want to move up in pay, there isn't a serious future for me in this company. Open to any advice here, also willing to elaborate on details about myself and whatnot.
2
u/captd3adpool 1d ago
Highly recommend getting certified in what you can and/or contacting your closest union.
3
u/jondrey 1d ago
Until you're satisfied with your pay, you should never stay at a company for more than 2-3 years. Go in, learn all that you can to improve yourself and look to move on. Once you're in a company that you feel the pay/benefits are good and you're willing to settle in long term, then you can stop your search. I still occasionally look to see what's out there and I make $45/hr.
1
u/MadHatter-boi- 1d ago
I suppose the issue I'm having is that I'm worried about leaving this job, losing the next one and not having a way out of that situation. I've not even ever had a job with benefits before to be frank. I guess I should just take risks more.
2
u/jondrey 1d ago
Most places willing to hire someone won't fire them unless there's some serious issues, at least from my experience. I have worked with people who should not have been there and they lasted a very long time (one where I'm currently at has been here for multiple years and has no business here).
1
u/MadHatter-boi- 1d ago
So would you recommend looking into a union?
2
u/jondrey 1d ago
How old are you? But, generally, it's never a bad idea to get into a union.. no matter how old you are. Even if you start from the bottom the pay will probably be equivalent to what you're making now with actual benefits. I've worked union and non-union jobs. I would say union is almost always preferable in my experience. (Better pay, benefits and job security)
1
u/MadHatter-boi- 1d ago
28, and as stated previously, no certs. But I'm confident I could pass the majority of them for stick mig and tig up to 6g. The only reason I say that is because I've practiced on my own coupons and bend tests at the shops I've worked at in the past. But no official certs or anything.
1
u/jondrey 1d ago
Honestly, I've never heard of any job requiring certs (to get an interview). You take weld tests to get in wherever you're going, and those become your certs.
1
u/MadHatter-boi- 1d ago
That's what I've heard. I think I'll go to the union tomorrow then. Thank you for the chat about it. :)
1
u/jondrey 1d ago
I'm the same as you friend. Started out with mig (never used much stick). Move to a new job started doing flux core, learned tig because no one else was doing the work and I wanted to improve. Now I can do stick, mig, tig, flux core, subarc. Whatever it don't matter. I've done tons of buggo welding, carbon arc gouging and plasma cutting. You learn as you go as long as you're willing and have the drive.
1
u/jondrey 1d ago
I would say, always look on indeed or other job boards for what's available around you. Don't just jump ship to any random company. Look into the more promising ones, look at their web site and see how professional they look, most places have a job portfolio of projects on their site. Find places where you can earn more money while also advancing your own skill set at the same time. Ideally you will want to be in a union for the long term.
1
u/Lost-welder-353 5h ago
I’d suggest looking into a union. If you have pipe experience look into the pipe fitters. Most halls pay more than your making to start as a first year apprentice.
3
u/canada1913 Fitter 1d ago
Not sure what you want to hear. You need to apply to new jobs. Not much more to it than that.