Those individuals who like working with metal and fire will be interested in becoming a welder.
This career is absolutely rewarding and, moreover, there is plenty of job options.
To become a welder, you need to complete your training and we’ve made a list of welding schools for you.
Also, learn some other useful facts about this job.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Welder’s Duties and Roles in Michigan
- 2 Reasons for Becoming a Welder in Michigan
- 3 Average Welder’s Salary in Michigan
- 4 Where Can Certified Welders Work in Michigan?
- 5 Top 55 Welding Certification Schools in Michigan
- 6 Popular Degree Programs
- 7 Similar Career Options in Michigan
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
Welder’s Duties and Roles in Michigan
What is welding?
In simple words, it’s a process of connecting metal pieces.
The truth is that it only sounds simple but in reality, you should be able to use numerous tool to heat and melt metal.
It means that you need some specific skills and knowledge.
Most Significant Welder’s Responsibilities
There are 4 the most significant responsibilities any welder should perform daily:
- Studying and understanding specific sketches, blueprints, and instructions. Also, a welder should be able to follow all these instructions properly.
- Raw structure/material analysis in order to determine appropriate methods required for an excellent result. There are about 100 welding methods such as gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, or gas metal arc welding.
- Usage of appropriate tools depending on the chosen method.
- Maintaining equipment and tools so it meets all the requirements. There is a variety of different types of tools including electric and manual equipment. Sometimes, welders should be able to use numerous combination of tools to perform their job properly.
Reasons for Becoming a Welder in Michigan
If you still doubt about becoming a welder, you should know that this career is absolutely rewarding.
Various constructions such as buildings and bridges made by you will be seen for a significant period of time.
Also, you’ll have an opportunity to work on open air.
Each your project will be made by your own hands.
Finally, there is an impressive outcome for welders.
Until 2026 the number of jobs in this sphere will increase by 6%.
If you want to work as a welder, you need to be:
- Detail oriented;
- Technical skills;
- Physical strength;
- Physical stamina;
- Manual dexterity;
- Spatial-orientation skills.
Average Welder’s Salary in Michigan
Welders in Michigan have an average median salary of $38 400 per year ($18.46 per hour).
It’s a little bit lower than a median salary throughout the country which is $39 390 per year ($18.94 per hour).
The top 10% of welders in Michigan earn about $55 290 per year.
At the same time, the top 10% of welders throughout the USA have a salary of $62 100 annually.
Where Can Certified Welders Work in Michigan?
Looking for job options for welders in Michigan, think about such spheres as:
- Construction of buildings and bridges;
- Manufacturing;
- Aerospace applications;
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries;
- Shipbuilding;
- Auto & motorcycle fabrication and repair.
Top 55 Welding Certification Schools in Michigan
Below there is a list of the best welding certification schools in Michigan.
There are 55 schools that were approved by the American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program.
Each school provides a variety of important and essential courses such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG).
It means that you’ll be able to perform your duties properly.
Keep in mind that you need a high-school diploma or GED to start your training.
Nevertheless, some schools are ready to accept high-school juniors.
In any case, to become a certified welder, a high-school diploma is required as well as a bunch of significant skills.
School | Location | Contact Information | Phone Number |
---|---|---|---|
Allegan County Area Technical Education Center | 2891 116th Ave, Allegan, MI 49010 United States | Richard E. Currie | (269) 673-3121 |
Alma High School | 1500 North Pine Ave, Alma, MI 49424 United States | Alan Dillon | (989) 463-3111 |
Alpena Community College | 665 Johnson St, Alpena, MI 49721 United States | Tim Ratz | (989) 358-7421 |
Alpena High School | 3303 S Third St, Alpena, MI 49707 United States | Darren Lightner | (517) 356-6161 |
Baker College of Flint | 1717 South Dont Highway, Flint, MI 48503 United States | Alex C. Loney | (810) 766-2260 |
Branch Area Career Center | 366 Moris St, Coldwater, MI 49036 United States | Larry Loviska | (517) 279-5700 |
Calhoun Area Technology Center | 475 E Roosevelt Ave, Battlecreek, MI 49017 United States | Warren Banaszewski | (616) 968-2271 |
Capital Area Career Center | 611 Hagadorn Rd, Mason, MI 48854 United States | Jeff Grossman | (517) 244-1366 |
Cheboygan Area High School | 801 West Lincoln Ave, Cheboygan, MI 49721 United States | Jacqueline Herman | (231) 627-3331 |
Delta College | 1961 University Center, University Center, MI 48710 United States | Jim Proctor | (989) 686-9099 |
Detroit Job Corps Center | 11801 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, MI 48214 United States | (313) 852-0300 | |
Downriver Career Technical | 2200 Gilbraltar Rd. Flat Rock, MI 48134 United States | Mark Salgat | (734) 782-3194 |
Flint and Saginaw Area | Sheet Metal Training Center, 4070 Dolan Dr, Flint, MI 48504 United States | Daniel S. Moulton | (810) 785-8111 |
Flint Genesee Job Corps Center | 2400 North Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48505 United States | (810) 232-9102 | |
Genesee Career Institute | 2413 West Maple Ave Flint, MI 48507 United States | Jim Ply | (810) 591-4462 |
Gogebic Community College | E 4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood, MI 49938 United States | Gary Gouin | (800) 682-5910 |
Grand Rapids Community College | 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 48901 United States | John Doneth | (616) 234-3178 |
Gratiot Technical Education Center | 327 East Center Street, Alma, MI 48801 United States | Dan Morse | (989) 446-4832 |
Industrial Arts Institute | 20902 Washington Avenue, Onaway, MI 49765 United States | Leon Nash | (989) 733-4369 |
Jackson Area Career Center | 6800 Browns Lake Rd, Jackson, MI 49201 United States | Kathleen Rypkema | (517) 787-2700 |
Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Learning Resources Center, Acquisitions Dept, Kalamazoo, MI 49003 United States | Erick Martin | (269) 488-4219 |
Kellogg Community College | 405 Hill Brady Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037 United States | Doug Adams | (269) 965-4137 |
Lake Michigan College | 2755 E. Napier Ave. Benton Harbor, MI 49022 United States | Nathan Kramb | (269) 927-1000 |
Lakeshore High School | 5771 Cleveland Ave. Stevensville, MI 48503 United States | Lori Von Koenig | (269) 428-1402 |
Lansing Community College | P.O. Box 40010, MC 4100W411 North Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48901 United States | Catherine Linquist | (517) 483-1359 |
Lenawee School District | 2345 N Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI 49271 United States | Donald J Staway | (517) 263-2108 |
LISD Tech Center | 1372 North Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221 United States | Justin Schmidt | (517) 263-2108 |
Mecosta-Osceola Career Center | 15830 190Th Ave Big Rapids, MI 49307 United States | Michael Schmidt | (231) 796-5805 |
Merrill High School | 431 West Alice, Merrill, MI 48637 United States | Chris Wall | (989) 643-7261 |
Merrill Institute | 520 Republic Avenue, Alma, MI 48801 United States | Jason R North | (989) 462-0311 |
Mid-Michigan Community Center | 1375 S Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625 United States | Nick Blackmer | (989) 386-6622 |
Monroe County Community College | 1555 S Raisinville Rd, Monroe, MI 48161 United States | Peter Coomar | (734) 384-4112 |
Montcalm Area Career Center | 1550 West Sidney, Sidney, MI 48885 United States | Kurt Goodman | (616) 225-5738 |
Montcalm Community College | 1325 Yellow Jack Dr. Greenville, MI 48838 United States | Susan Hatto | (616) 828-9121 |
Montrose Schools | 301 Nanita Dr Montrose, MI 48457 United States | Mike Robertson | (810) 591-8822 |
Mott Community College | 1401 E Court St, Regional Tech. Center, Flint, MI 48503 United States | Angelo Brown | (810) 232-7346 |
Muskegon Area Career Technical Center | 200 Harvey Street, Muskegon, MI 49442 United States | Mike Lorey | (231) 767-3601 |
Muskegon Community College | 221 S Quaterline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442 United States | Tom Sumerix | (616) 777-0311 |
Muskegon Correctional Facility | 2400 S. Sheridan Dr, Muskegon, MI 49442 United States | Patrick Jones | (231) 773-3201 |
Newaygo County Career-Tech Center | 4645 W 48th St, Fremont, MI 49412 United States | Steve Shafer | (616) 924-0380 |
Oakland Community College | 2900 Featherstone Rd. Auburn Hills, MI 48326 United States | Cameron Berrier | (248) 232-4054 |
Oakland Schools Technical Campus - Southeast | 5055 Delemere Ave Royal Oak, MI 48073 United States | Amy Gole | (248) 288-4020 |
Oakland Technical Campus Northeast | 1371 N.Perry, Pontiac, Mi. 48340, MI 48340 United States | Steve Langdon | (248) 451-2778 |
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility | 1728 Bluewater HWY Ionia, MI 48846 United States | Gabriel Forkel | (616) 527-3161 |
Saginaw Career Complex | 2102 Weiss Saginaw, MI 48658 United States | Tom Strawn | (517) 797-4836 |
Schoolcraft College | 18600 Haggerty Road Livonia, MI 48152-2696 United States | Coley McLean | (734) 462-4400 |
Sheetmetal Workers Local 80 | Training Center, 32700 DeQuindre Rd, Warren, MI 48092 United States | Terry Taulbee | (810) 979-5190 |
South & West Washtenaw Consortium | Saline High School, Saline, MI 48176 United States | N/A | |
South and West Washtenaw Consortium | 1300 Campus Parkway, Saline, MI 48176 United States | Stephen Hasselbach | (734) 429-8030 xt. 2344 |
Southwestern Michigan College | 2229 US 12, Niles, MI 49120 United States | Allyson Starrett | (269) 687-5640 |
St Joseph County Career & Technical Education Consortium | 62445 Shimmel Road Centreville, MI 49032 United States | Dan Miles | (269) 435-8920 |
Tuscola Technology Center | 1401 Cleaver Road, Caro, MI 48723 United States | Tim Loney | (989) 673-2144 |
United Technical LLC | 21001 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, MI 48178 United States | Lori Przybylo | (248) 667-9185 |
Van Buren Technology Center | 250 South Street, Lawrence, MI 49064 United States | Jenelle Ashbrook | (269) 674-8001 |
West Shore Educational Service District | 2130 US-10 Ludington, MI 49431 United States | Lynda Matson | (231) 757-3716 |
Keep in mind that the information in the table may change so we recommend you to doublecheck it.
Popular Degree Programs
Similar Career Options in Michigan
These options may as well interest you:
- Boilermaker;
- Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter;
- Sheet Metal Worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become an underwater welder?
First, you need to have a high school diploma or GED.
The next step is to gain experience and obtain certification in topside welding.
After 2 to 5 years of topside welding, you can start earning additional certifications, including diving certification.
Once that is done, you can begin finding an underwater welding job.
What is bombing a weld?
You are most likely referring to explosion welding.
This type of welding is achieved by accelerating a component at an exceptionally high velocity with the help of chemical explosives.
Mainly used for preparing blanks or billets, explosive welding can also be used to join pipes or secure tubes in tube plates.
How many watts does a welder use?
In general, welding machines are power efficient.
Most welding machines use between 7 and 12 kilowatts per hour.
Because welding sessions usually take no more than 20 minutes, the added electricity costs are very minimal, usually hovering between 5 and 15kWh extra per month (or around $2).
That being said, electricity costs depend on the machine and how often you use it.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Welder
this helps out a lot