Do you like working with your own hands on open air?
Consider becoming a welder as it’s exactly the type of job you may like.
Moreover, it’s incredibly interesting and exciting as you are going to work with fire and metal.
You can learn more about this career in the article below.
Article Table of Contents
Welder’s Duties and Roles in Montana
In simple words, welding is a process of joining metal elements together.
Sounds rather simple?
The truth is that it’s absolutely opposite as you need a whole bunch of skills.
It’s absolutely important as you should be able to use various tools.
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 Montana
Welders, for sure, have something they can be proud of as they create impressive constructions.
Working as a welder, you’ll be creating various buildings, bridges, and other projects.
Keep in mind, that welders work with their own hands on open air.
Also, you’ll be impressed by the outlook.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that job offers for welders will increase by 6% by 2026.
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 Montana
Working as a welder in Montana, an individual can earn a median salary of $41 230 per year ($19.82 per hour).
A median salary throughout the country is slightly lower and this is about $39 390 per year ($18.94 per hour).
Speaking of the top 10% of welders, in Montana, they earn about $59 900.
Throughout the country, they have a salary of $62 100 per year.
Where Can Certified Welders Work in Montana?
In Montana, there is a bunch of job options for welders including 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 12 Welding Certification Schools in Montana
Below there is a list of the best welding certification schools in Montana.
There are 12 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Anaconda Civilian Conservation Center | 1407 Foster Creek Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711 United States | ||
Anaconda Job | 1407 Foster Creek Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711 United States | (406) 563-3476 | |
Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center | 1384 Foster Creek Rd. Anaconda, MT 59711 United States | Ron Morgan | (406) 563-8758 |
Bozeman High School | 205 North 11th St, Bozeman, MT 59715 United States | Doulas Batson | (406) 522-6267 |
Dawson Community College | 300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330 United States | Brent Nelson | (800) 821-8320 |
Fort Peck Community College | Highway 2 East, Poplar, MT 59255 United States | Steve Harada | (406) 653-3900 |
Gallatin College Montana State University | 101 Hamilton Hall, P.O. Box 170515, Bozeman, MT 59717 United States | David Cohenour | (406) 994-5536 |
General Distributing Co | 1327 South 29th St West, Billing, MT 59102 United States | Kevin Gaskin | (406) 259-5023 |
Great Falls College MSU | 2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405 United States | Erica Rominger | (406) 771-5132 |
Montana State University | Business Office, MSU-Northern, Havre, MT 59501 United States | Virgil Hawkinson | (406) 265-4161 |
Montana Tech, The University of Montana-College of Tech | 25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, MT 59701 United States | Steve Luft | (406) 496-3707 |
Trapper Creek Job Corps USDA | 5139 W Fork Rd, Darby, MT 59829 United States | Ted Hayes | (406) 821-3286 |
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 Montana
These options may as well interest you:
- Boilermaker;
- Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter;
- Sheet Metal Worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are welders happy?
According to a survey by CareerExplorer, welders have about an average level of career happiness (3.1 out of 5 stars, which places them in the bottom 44% when it comes to happiness with their careers).
Trade careers with similar happiness ratings include riggers, grain elevator workers, locksmiths, and radio mechanics.
How to weld thin metal with arc welder?
Two types of arc welders, MIG and TIG, are ideal for thin metals.
In fact, they work extremely well on almost all types of metals and materials.
However, if your stainless steel or aluminum sheets are too thin, you may want to stick to TIG.
What are the requirements to be a welder?
The first requirement is to have a high school diploma or GED.
Next, you need to complete a welding training program, which includes hands-on instruction.
The amount of time you spend in training varies, but having an associate’s degree will most likely fast-track you in your welding training.
After you have completed training and obtained the necessary certifications, you can start applying for welding jobs.
You can also be a self-employed welding contractor.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Welder
Interested in welding and mechanics program.