As of 2025, welders in Brent, FL can expect strong opportunities in a growing field with increasing demand for skilled trades. Local data indicates that the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metro area employed about 330 welders in 2018, and industry trends suggest this number is on an upward trajectory1. Statewide, Florida reports more than 13,890 welding jobs, with a steady annual job growth rate of 1.41% 23. Salary expectations for welders in Brent vary significantly based on experience and certification, ranging from $18 - $29/hour for entry-level roles to over $29/hour for specialized and experienced welders14.
If you're considering a career in welding in Brent, FL, the first step is to complete a high school diploma or GED, followed by enrollment in a technical welding program at a local institution such as Eastern Florida State College or Indian River State College (IRSC). These programs typically take 6-24 months to complete and cost around $5,300 for courses, plus about $1,000 for books and tools5. Upon completion, graduates can take the AWS Certified Welder exam, the industry standard credential that enhances employability56.
Welders are highly skilled tradespeople who combine craftsmanship with technical knowledge to fuse metal parts using specialized tools and techniques such as **Gas Metal Arc Welding **(GMAW), **Gas Tungsten Arc Welding **(GTAW), **shielded metal arc welding **(SMAW), and **flux-cored arc welding **(FCAW). Their work is essential in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, energy, and transportation.
In Brent, FL, welders often find employment in fabrication shops, shipyards, power plants, and industrial construction projects, where they must adhere to strict safety protocols, blueprints, and welding codes such as those from the **American Society of Mechanical Engineers **(ASME) and the American Welding Society (AWS). Daily tasks can include:
Welding requires physical dexterity, attention to detail, and the ability to work in potentially challenging environments, including high temperatures, tight spaces, and elevated work areas12.
Welders in Brent, FL, typically don’t require a general license to practice, but certification is essential for most employers and sectors. The industry's gold standard is certification from the **American Welding Society **(AWS), a credential that validates a welder’s ability to perform to specific industry standards56.
To become AWS certified, individuals must pass a performance qualification test at an AWS-accredited testing facility and meet specific QC7 standards relevant to their chosen welding field16. Although not tied to a state license, AWS certification is necessary for many welding jobs in Florida, especially those in structural steel, pipe welding, and pressure vessel work.
If you're ready to take your first steps into this in-demand career, follow this step-by-step plan to launch or advance your welding profession.
Attending a vocational training school or a technical college is crucial for skills development and employability. Two key institutions in and near Brent that offer welding programs are:
The cost for programs like IRSC's is approximately $5,300 for courses plus $1,000 for books and gear, making it accessible to a wide range of prospective students5.
The next crucial step is to become an AWS Certified Welder, as this industry certification is widely respected and often required51. IRSC and Eastern Florida State College serve as testing sites for these exams, making it convenient for students to complete following their training program.
The AWS certification process involves:
Upon completing training and certification, aspiring welders need to find real-world experience to further develop their craft.
Where to Find Opportunities:
There are currently **37 welding jobs available in Brent **1, which is a great starting point for new or experienced welders. Check current salaries on Indeed to compare your potential earnings.
With experience and advanced certifications, welders can move into higher-paying or more specialized roles such as welding inspector or engineering positions. Additional education or certifications, including those from the **American Society of Mechanical Engineers **(ASME), can enhance a welder’s qualifications in specialized disciplines like pipe welding and underwater welding4.
Joining professional organizations like the AWS gives access to advanced training, job resources, and staying current with new welding technologies and best practices6.
The timeline for becoming a welder in Brent, FL, varies depending on your educational path and certification goals:
| Training Program | Duration | Job Entry Point |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Florida State College Certificate | Graduates in 8 months to 1 year | Entry-Level Positions |
| IRSC Welding Technology Program | 1-2 years | Entry-Level Advanced Positions |
| AWS Certification | 1-6 months (proctored separately from training) | Specialty or Contract Work |
Most welders in Brent, FL, enter the field after less than a year of formal training, supplemented with experiential learning on the job. However, those wishing to explore specialized welding fields should expect additional training and certification above and beyond this576.
The cost of welding training programs in Brent and surrounding areas is relatively affordable compared to many other technical trades. Specifically:
Additional expenses may arise if you choose to take AWS certification exams, which usually cost a few hundred dollars to administer.
Salary levels for welders in Brent, FL, depend heavily on experience, certifications, and the type of employer. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Welders (Welder I) | $18 - $29 | $36,650 - $59,789 |
| General Welders | $16.64 avg. | Approx. $29,000 - $48,500 |
| Experimental or Specialized | $29 avg. | $60,803 avg. |
While local wages for laboratory technicians are a concern across the country, these averages suggest that there is strong wage growth potential for experienced and certified welders in the Brent area. Complementing a baseline welding certification with skills in TIG welding, underwater welding, or brazing can significantly elevate earning potential134. Learn more about welding certification and its impact on salaries.
Florida’s manufacturing sector has expanded dramatically over the past decade, rising from $43.5 billion in output in 2014 to $73 billion in 2022, a 67.8% increase, creating demand for skilled welders across the state3. Brent and the broader Pensacola-Ferry Pass area are positioned to benefit from this industrial acceleration, particularly in sectors such as:
This expected demand aligns with national projections, which measure around 80,000 average annual welding job openings across the United States, supporting a positive outlook for welders in Brent, FL beyond 20256.
Welders face a range of hazards, including exposure to toxic fumes, high temperatures, electric shocks, and eye injuries. Annual statistics reveal over 365,000 welding-related eye injuries in the U.S., with burns and injuries occurring frequently in the construction sector4.
Solutions this new method involves include employees wearing bulky personal protective equipment for safety, this can increase discomfort in hot workshops and may encourage improper use of ventilation systems. which is even more important in laboratory settings where exposure safety to fumes and contaminants must be reduced.
By committing to high safety standards and continuous learning, welders can protect themselves and their work environments from potential harm.
If you're inspired to begin or advance your welding career in Brent, FL, simply sign up with GetGild, which brings together local welding job listings and assistance for apprentices seeking experienced mentors or employers looking to hire skilled welders8. Whether you're a recent graduate of a welding program, a career-shifter looking to join an in-demand trade, or an employer seeking qualified welders, Gild simplifies the connection.
Ready to start your welding journey? We invite you to explore welding jobs in Brent, and take the next step toward a fulfilling career in 2025 and beyond. Visit Dreambound for more tips.
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (Welder I) | $18 - $29 | $36,650 - $59,789 |
| General Welders | $13.99 - $23.35 | Approx. $29,000 - $48,500 (implied) |
| Specialized/Experimental | Around $29 | Around $60,800 |
https://www.tws.edu/blog/welding/where-are-the-welding-jobs-in-north-florida/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
https://dotd.la.gov/media/0qlmzfoh/contract-nos-4400029206-and-4400029207-moffat-and-nichol.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.thefabricator.com/thewelder/article/arcwelding/outlook-trends-and-pay-for-the-welding-workforce-according-to-aws-data ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
https://www.easternflorida.edu/academics/welding-technology/index.php ↩ ↩2
https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/how-to-become-a-welder-in-florida ↩ ↩2
