Embarking on a career as a welder in New York, NJ typically begins with a technical school program or apprenticeship, combining hands-on experience with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. This pathway lasts about 6 to 18 months, requiring significant training under experienced professionals. The American Welding Society projects a need for 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029, with approximately 80,000 positions requiring annual fulfillment. In New York, NJ, welders earn an average of $616.80 per week, with a median annual salary of $32,067.60, and experienced professionals can earn upwards of $659.17 per week. Trade schools, unions, and platforms like AWS help aspiring welders find apprenticeship opportunities, leading to a career with strong earning potential and diverse specialization opportunities across industries such as construction, manufacturing, and aerospace.
