Salary

Date 09-25-2008 15:36

Hi All,

Got some questions that I hope someone can help answer for me.

Some background info on me, I went to a Technical College about
two years ago. The school was a year long and covered stick welding
in all positions, mig, fluxcore and I had 3 months of Tig..mostly with
plates. I can walk the cup really well and make a mean bead...lol

Anyway, after school I moved to the country of Norway, where my
father lives and found a job being a structural welder. Mostly I work in
a shop welding large beams and other large pieces..lot's of verticals etc.

Anyway I make 35 dollars an hour now in shop..thats on the check not
benefits etc as we have free health care here.

I was planning on moving back to the States, and found a school in
upper State NY that will teach me pipe welding in all positions and
also advanced pipe..ie using Tig for the root etc. They even have a
x-ray machine on site so, we can see if we bust out or not..LOL

My question has to do with salary? How much can I make with
pipe welding? If I get 20 dollars an hour I would be happy..is this
reasonable?

I have been scanning jobs on the net and there are many fluxcore
jobs for 12 dollars an hour etc..and it's scaring me somewhat :-P

I even thought about joining a union. I just don't want to wait for
years before my salary comes in...any suggestions?

Any and all comments welcome.

By hogan

Date 09-25-2008 16:18

this site might be of help for salary as well as contacts

http://www.roadtechs.com/

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 09-25-2008 18:31

Thanks Hogan.

I am going to use the website.

How about plants etc? I was thinking about maybe finding something
local?

I know the economy is in poor condition but, it takes a lot of skill
to weld a pipe and pass the x-ray..I feel we are worth at least
20 an hour :-)

By swsweld (****)

Date 09-25-2008 23:50

Erikgr7, when you come here can I have your old job :)

The average wage for a pipe welder in North Carolina is about $20.00/hr.

You should make more than that in NY but I haven't been in upstate in quite a while. Pipe welding is a great choice to get top money and stay plenty busy.

Shops MAY offer more security but not necessarily the best money. As medicinehawk01 mentioned you will do better in new construction or outage work. You might have to travel some if the area you are in does not have a lot of industry.
Do yourself a favor and learn GTAW on pipe. Shouldn't take you long since you can tig on plate, you have the basics.

Tig and stick on pipe opens a lot of doors for you. More money too. Depends on what you want to do; shop, travel, new construction locally.
No matter which one you do, get names and numbers(network)

Good luck and welcome back.

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 09-26-2008 15:03

Thanks to all for the replies.

I am will be heading to upper State NY in November..just in
time for the snow..lol :-)

By JeremyW83 (***)

Date 09-27-2008 02:56

Might also want to learn flux core on pipe there are a lot of companies going to this for their heavy wall stuff.

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 09-27-2008 07:23

JeremyW83

I feel like all I have done is Fluxcore for the last year.

I got the holes in my pants to prove it..lol

By CAD Date 10-17-2008 01:19

I would stay right there. The economy is going in the crapper and layoffs around the corner. You can always travel. Norway= good sailors.
I am in the South East & not a happy camper. Check Craigs List, skilled trades for areas of interest. Too hot here. I would trade places in a heartbeat.

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 11-02-2008 09:30

(I am in the South East & not a happy camper.)

CAD,

I started out in Augusta, Georgia and got my first job welding trains for TTX Hamburg.

I about melted in my boots during the summer wearing full leathers and laying under
trains doing FCAW. We even had two guys pass out from the heat there once! I just
tried to drink as much liquids as possible. Love the winters there with no snow..but
I know what you mean about the heat.

By Partagas (*)

Date 10-20-2008 04:01

Erik, where upstate are you going. I am in the Albany area and their is almost no work right now. And as for pay......LOL..... Sorry 12 -16 is the average. And unions.. well their is one or two around here and even they are turning people away.

I use www.indeed.com to see who is hiring.

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 11-02-2008 09:24

Sorry guys I have been off-line for a few weeks and just now got a chance to catch up on my posts.

Partagas,

I was planning on coming to Albany, so I could attend a school there called "Modern Welding" www.modernwelding.com
I have all the basics down SMAW,TIG,GMAW,FCAW..I just wanted to brush up on pipe and be able to pass the x-ray
with no problems. Is this a good school? Do you know anything about it?

So, the jobs are not that good up in that area? Where do you guys recommend going for pipewelding? or Tig work?
I just want something that pays well. I can live anywhere in the States..not tied down to one place. I really don't
wish to travel the whole time..if possible.

By Partagas (*)

Date 11-02-2008 13:21

I know of modern welding. They are a good school from what I hear. If you are interested in pipe welding I would "head west young man." Texas is always a good start to look. Their is a guy on here Cactus(can not remember the end of him ID), send him a message.

By Erikgr7 (*)

Date 11-02-2008 09:31

swsweld,

Yes, you can have my old job here lol :-)

Just be prepared for the cost of living here...10 a gallon gas, 100 dollar Levis Jeans!
The exchange rates go up and down with the dollar...right now it's 17 an hour minimum
wage here.