As experienced welders retire and the need for more skilled professionals emerges, the demand for welders in New York continues to reach astronomical proportions. Companies across the state are on the lookout for skilled welders, and you, too, can be part of the people who take advantage and satisfy this demand.
If you’re wondering what the steps involved in becoming a welder in New York are, you have come to the right page. Below we discuss everything you need to know about becoming a welder in New York, including the basic educational requirements, state licensure requirements, and the potential salary to expect across your career.
How to Become a Welder in New York
Below are the steps involved in becoming a welder in New York:
Fulfilling the Basic Requirements
To become a welder in New York, you must first be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalent of a high school diploma. These credentials are often needed to enroll in training programs and apprenticeship programs.
To obtain your license, you must also be at least 18 years old and know how to read and write the English language.
Becoming Familiar with Different Types of Welding
Once you fulfill the above requirements, the next step in becoming a welder in New York is to become familiar with the different types of welding. Several popular forms of welding include TIG welding, MIG welding, and oxy-acetylene welding.
Enrolling in a Training Program
Training programs for welders are usually divided into formal training programs offered by technical schools and colleges and apprenticeship programs offered by unions and some non-union organizations.
While formal training programs prioritize classroom training with some hands-on training in laboratories and workshops, apprenticeship programs prioritize hands-on training and sometimes incorporate a bit of classroom training.
Combining both approaches to get the best of both worlds is possible.
Develop Non-Technical Skills & Attributes
Apart from the technical know-how that you will receive from your training program of choice, it is also advisable for aspiring welders to incorporate some attributes into their job as well.
These include attention to detail, patience, design skills, time management, physical strength, interpersonal skills, commitment to growth, and safety awareness.
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Top Welder Schools in New York
Below are some of the most prominent welding schools in New York, offering comprehensive coursework and beautiful facilities to learn in.
1. SUNY Corning Community College
Corning Community College is a part of the State University of New York system. Its welding training program operates very high and boasts a state-of-the-art training facility just constructed in 2015.
Students are brought up on the AWS standard, and graduates have a very high success rate in the AWS certification exams.
2. Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College is another beautiful destination for acquiring high-quality welding training in New York. The school is also a part of the State University of New York system and has over 20,000 students.
3. Kingsborough Community College
Lastly, aspiring welders in New York would also consider the welding program at Kingsborough Community College. The school is a part of the City University of New York system and brings up its welders as part of a more comprehensive maritime technology program.
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
To become licensed in New York, a welder must be at least 18 years old and proficient in reading and writing English. Additionally, the government expects candidates applying for a wedding license to be of good moral character and be able to perform their duties and responsibilities at a high level.
Once all these requirements are met, applicants must complete one exam out of two options. These options include the American Welding Society (AWS) certification exam and the New York State Department of Transport certification exam.
The state will also conduct background checks on candidates before issuing a license card.
Salary and Job Outlook
Entry-level welders in New York earn an annual average salary of $30,854, while those who have spent a significant amount of time on the job earn an average yearly salary of $75,326.
Usually, however, the median annual salary for welders in New York is $48,209, according to a survey conducted by Indeed. Location and experience are among the most prominent factors in determining how much a welder in New York will earn.
For instance, welders in New York City earn an annual average salary of $75,296, while those in Niagara Falls earn an average annual wage of $52,524. Welders in Paterson earn an average yearly salary of $52,460.
Buffalo and Garden City round up the top five highest-paying locations for welders in New York, with annual average salaries of $51,439 and $49,515, respectively.
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