Topic.

I'm just wondering because where I'm currently living journeyman welders/pipe fitters are earning six figures a year and it only requires a one year program to get started and then you earn as learn (apprenticeship) but I've heard it's quite hard on the body

Obviously the biggest bonus of this job is I could eventually do the welding and fabbing on my own project cars

No journeyman welders that I know of are even close to six figures but they do make good money. The work is hard and the conditions usually suck (Smoke inhalation, hot as hell, etc.)

Anyways when my bro wasnt certified or anything he started at $16 an hr + overtime not sure what he is making now

If you get on with a refinery/building pipelines/upgrader/rigs here the starting wage for even a second year apprentice is atleast 30$/hr

Problem is you're usually in the middle of no where working 12 hour days.

/e but thats exactly what I've heard is shit work conditions.

/e And I shouldn't say all journeyman, but if you're working for oil/gas or mining company you're probably close.

This post was edited by Thing1 on Nov 12 2013 10:38am

Oh ya the oil pipelines or offshore oil platforms, etc. is where you want to be if you can. Even then $30 an hr is far from six figures though.

I would say if you enjoy working with your hands give it a shot. Welding is a common necessity so you would have decent job security assuming you are good at it.

I'm an apprentice ironworker which is close. Over 50% of ironworkers are welders and most are really good at it.

I'm starting at 23 an hour plus benefits/pension/20 a day for parking

I'll be getting my welding ticket in the next couple months

Edit: I just work in Ottawa too, if I were out west I'd be making 30 an hour plus stupid overtime. With the overtime I could pull 90-100k a year out west

This post was edited by Tylenol on Nov 12 2013 11:33am

Yeah this is what I mean. In Alberta/Sask it's crazy/

6 figures for j welders is believeable out here in Alberta, Saskatchewan is booming now to I heard, I got a few buddies that works 2 weeks on few days off out in Saskatoon making jelly money.

Alberta is mad money right now, got a couple coworkers that are over there ( electricians) pulling out 2.8k a week i might go over there afther xmas if work drops around here im 4th year apprentice myself

Every pipefitter and welder in our plant gets a knee, hip, or shoulder replaced before they turn 50. Most have perc prescriptions just to get by. Its rough work.

rough work but I'd say that's an exaggeration...most of the older guys have shitty backs, yes, but if you're smart you can avoid injury. there are tons of guys who are perfectly fine they just work smart/safe



ya it's alot of money for only 23 years old but if I were doing that I'd be working 10 hour days 7 days a week. imagine doing that for a year lol

This post was edited by Tylenol on Nov 12 2013 03:17pm