Hello Seth Michaud, I am not familiar with what could be termed "the going rate" for your area, however I would tend to say that your employer is being pretty fair with you in paying you $10.00/hr. while you have been doing the co-op. After all, you have been learning at the same time you have been working and as well you are likely earning some educational credits at the same time. As to your question of a fair wage to request once you start full-time. You may want to see if you can "feel the other workers out" to determine where they started, this may give you a reasonable feel for what you should ask for as a starting wage. Without having an idea of wages in general for your geographical area I would be hard pressed to tell you whether $16/$17 is fair or not. I am also making an assumption here that this is a non-union shop, so likely, they aren't offering the type of wages that a union shop might be paying. This is just my take and by no means implies that my views are correct.
It certainly sounds as if you have been a valuable addition to this company and they have been satisfied with your performance. You probably have the best sense of your worth in this situation, so let this be your guide when you are proceeding here. Best regards, aevald
Welcome to the forum.I live in mass also and started in welding about year ago. The company that i work for started me out at fourteen dollars an hour, not having any real world welding experience,just some tig and mig in the garage but nothing major. If you have any type of certs I wouldnt heistate about asking for 16-17 an hour.Always start a little higher than you want.If you keep coming to this site you will learn alot about all the different processes to,everybody on hear is worth there what in gold if you ask.
good luck,
elliott