Sourdough can answer your $$ q's. I get $50.00 an hour here i Ca.,but as I've found out,$50.00 isnt REALLY $50.00.There are alot of incured costs involved,consumables/maintenance etc.Also.I would just charge what the going rate is in your area.Dont undercut anyone.What comes around goe's around.You guys might try asking some of the local recycling yards that deal with metal.They ALWAYS beat stuff up and need things welded.AND,its a good place to get your feet wet as most of the things are non-critical.Good Luck...Gary.

Hey shoeboxford-I'm Brad and its a pleasure to meet you and welcome to the forum. The same things that you are running into in terms of getting into industry are the same issues I'm encountering as I am getting into industry. The welding program your in and the one im in sound very much alike. These are some of my observations as far as working in the tx gulf coast region. I grew up surrounded by plants and the petrochemical industry. I firmly believe it is the good ol' boy system at work in terms of landing craft maintenance jobs at the plants. For example many of my buddies from high school became operators (or process technology) or pursued skilled crafts at bp, shell, exxon, valero, etc., we were surrounded by them all (the plants that is). It was who they knew (their dads') that got them these kind of jobs 99% of the time. If you went into a union, it was pretty much who you knew. My grandpa was a union electrician and consequently my uncle became a union electrician. The bottom line around here is if you can weld, pass a craft test, and have some real world experience then bam you're pretty much hired. This last statement is pretty much in regards to the shutdown/turnaround jobs in the area. This is a right to work state so the first person that shows up and does an app., pass craft test, etc., goes to work immediately. Remember that in this particular region that there is a tremendous influx of immigrants, so big well known contractors (mostly non-union) will utilize this to their advantage. How can the most work get done for the least $? I myself am going to venture into the rig portion of the industry and work for myself. It is "rig" country around here. If you can get your name out there, produce high-quality work, hustle jobs, and run the highways then one will do very well in the business. The more you persevere then the more successful you will be! I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide to do! Certs are great but always think in terms of what the employer is thinking-the bottom line-the most work for the least $!