Industrial and Maintenance Welder

Industrial welders may not always be visible to the public, but their work is important. They build the foundational components of buildings, planes, ships, cargo tanks, manufacturing plants, and heavy machinery. If having such a career sounds rewarding, consider applying to the welding program at Pennco Tech.

Since 1973, Pennco Tech has been one of the leading providers of trade programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, proudly offering quality education and supportive career services to set students up for success. Industrial and maintenance welding is one of the many potential job paths that students can follow after completing the welding program offered exclusively at our Bristol, PA, campus.

What Do Industrial and Maintenance Welders Do?

An industrial welder’s workday can vary greatly. In general, industrial welders are responsible for bonding metals with hand-held or automated torches and lasers. They melt and permanently fuse steel, stainless steel, iron, and other strong and durable metals readily found in industrial and manufacturing environments.

As with other metal workers, industrial maintenance welders find themselves conducting various tasks throughout the week. Some of their duties include:

• Interpreting blueprints, engineering drawings, and other instructions
• Determining the type of welding mechanism necessary for specific metals to be bonded, taking into consideration the location and setting
• Welding steel frames that will act as the skeletal support system for skyscrapers, museums, maritime and cargo ships, planes, bridges, airports, manufacturing facilities, and shipping warehouses, among other structures related to big industries.
• Inspecting and measuring existing welds for defects, and repairing and upgrading them
• Maintaining and servicing welding equipment
• Following safety precautions and procedures as prescribed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Cutting metal parts and accessories for use in welding and soldering
• Repairing machinery that may include boilers, industrial scales, conveyor systems, and die presses, among many other large-scale industrial mechanisms and components

The work environments for industrial or maintenance welders are often large factories and warehouses, as well as outdoor construction sites. In addition to working at ground level, many industrial welders perform tasks hoisted in the air or even underwater. The median annual income for industrial welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is about $48,250 in PA and $56,720 in NJ per year.

Additional Career Options for Industrial Welders

A career as an industrial welder can open you up to multiple unique metal worker positions, as well. With extra training and experience in different fields, you can pursue some of the following opportunities:

Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Maintenance Technicians

These professionals are responsible for installing and fixing factory equipment and other industrial machinery, as necessary. This repair work often uses different weld types or soldering techniques to sustain and maintain heavy equipment. Demand for these trades is expected to increase over the next 10 years as major construction of manufacturing and production facilities continues to rise.

Pipefitters and Steamfitters

Experienced welders can often switch professions to become pipefitters or steamfitters who install and repair piping fixtures and systems. These trade artists often work within plumbing companies, though there are many pipefitter roles within building management and maintenance. These roles are also found in industrial settings where major pipelines need to be constructed or maintained.

Underwater Welder

Those with experience in industrial welding who have commercial diving certification and experience can pivot into the world of underwater welding. These highly skilled welders may find employment installing sub-oceanic pipelines, recovering historical maritime artifacts, or maintaining infrastructures such as water treatment facilities, dams, or bridges. 

Industrial Welding and Safety

In addition to learning in labs and the classroom, welding students receive OSHA safety training certification, and Pennco Tech is one of the few OSHA testing sites available to businesses and organizations. Nearly always required to be hired as a welder, this course underscores health and safety best practices for construction and vocational sectors. 

Enroll in Pennco Tech’s Welding Program

If you are considering a career in welding, there are a broad range of settings to work in and specialties to focus on, including industrial and maintenance welding. Pennco Tech offers one of the most affordable welding programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our students are instructed by welding professionals who have years of real-world experience.

Graduates from our preeminent trade program are prepared to begin their career journey into the industrial welding field where they can gain experience, increase their job opportunities, and expand their professional networks and career paths. If you have questions about the welding program or would like to enroll, contact us today.