By JTMcC 
Date 02-12-2013 22:05
Edited 02-12-2013 22:09
I'll add that the amount earned/welder depends on (as already mentioned) the number of welders able to consistently put out the work to the required standard, but also (and just as much) on the number of welders WILLING to do the particular work.
The second varies quite a bit by region/location and those situations can be very lucrative.
The third leg is work that requires a "different" (but not overly hard) skill set or a skill set not commonly available locally, kind of like #2.
Probably the greatest factor is efficiency, ie putting out more work per hour, even in environments calling for lower levels of pure skill/hand.
The old timer who said "time = money" really was correct.
Knowledge of a need in a particular geographic area, coupled with a lack of providers in that area equals a grand opportunity for efficient providers of a service even if it's not particularly difficult welding wise.
Supply and demand will never die.
J
I'll add that conditions are a major factor in who is "willing" to do the work and as a result really narrows the labor pool and increases available rates/wages. 30 below zero, 125 above, very remote or very difficult terrain all mean money for the welders.
