April 2018 — Labor Market Intelligence Center
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There are about 4,760 welding jobs in Dallas County with an average pay of $17.71 ($36,837) according to Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas.
About the Industry
Welding is both a technical skill and a creative art with many different applications, which can lead to a career in the following fields: construction, manufacturing, artistic welding, distribution and sales, education and technical sales.
As nearly 2,000 employees reach retirement in their welding profession, welding occupations offer job security as corporations like Walmart and Amazon merge toward automation.
“Some welders have the potential to make more money because ‘a scarcity of welders is [d]riving the huge amount of overtime that certain workers are getting.’.”
DFW Employers Hiring Dallas College Alumni
- Signal Industries, Inc
- Stephens Pipe & Steel, LLC
- Hammond Machine Works, Inc
- Southern Frac, LLC
- Hensley Industries
Source: EMSI Insights
Top Occupation Titles by Employment and Demand
Mechanical Engineers are the highest in demand with an annual wage of $101,000. This is followed by First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers with $64,500, Machinists with $39,700, Welders, Cutters, Solderers and Brazers at $39,500 and Team Assemblers at $29,800.
Source: JOBSEQ Q4, 2017, DFW
Demographics
Race/Ethnicity Breakdown for Welders
47.1% of welders in DFW are White. This is followed by Hispanic or Latino welders with 39.1%, Black or African American welders with 8.5% and Asian welders with 3.7%. 0.7% of welders are two or more races. 0.7% are American Indian or Alaska Native. 0.1% are Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
Source: EMSI 2018 Q2, DFW
Average Age by Gender in the US
Enter the Workforce
Living Wage Household Comparison
A living wage is the wage needed to support basic needs.
$10.94
($22,955 annually) single adult living in Dallas County
$22.55
($46,904 annually) single adult with one child living in Dallas County
$12.78
($26,582 annually) per each working adult with one child living in Dallas County
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator, Dallas County
“One of the best ways to advance your welding career is by earning a specialized certification. This opens up opportunities for more money, leadership roles and higher-level career challenges.”
—American Welding Society
Top Skills
- fabrication
- manufacturing
- gas metal arc welding
- gas tungsten arc welding
- metal inert gas (MIG) welding
- flux core welding
Source: EMSI, DFW
Industry Recongnized Certifications
- welding inspector
- welding educator
- radiographic interpreter
- welding supervisor
- welding sales representative
- welding engineer
- welder
- robotic arc welding
Source: American Welding Society
Occupation Gender Brekadown
The breakdown between males and females in the welding industry in Dallas College and the DFW metroplex is 93% male and 7% female. In Texas, it is 95% male and 5% female.
Source: EMSI Q1 2018 and Dallas College
“It’s not always easy for a woman to succeed in such a male-dominated industry. If someone says I can’t do something, I’ll just make it a point to show that I can—and I will.”
—Stephanie GrahamInstructorAuto Body Technology, Eastfield
An Investment Worth Making
Welding Certificate ROI
- Median annual salary of Dallas College alumni:
$34,560
- Credit certificate:
$1,062
$32.65
ROI per $1.00 invested
“Among welding employers, the most significant challenge is finding welders with strong technical skills. A majority of respondents prefer on the job training versus other forms of training to meet skills needs.”
—Dallas College LMIC Survey of Dallas County Welding Employers
For More Information
Contact Ben Magill, executive director, Labor Market Intelligence Center.