Skilled Trades
Welder / Fabricator
Material reality resists abstraction.
AI Risk Score: 3/10
Score is our body/liability/scarcity rubric, calibrated against public AI-exposure research.
Data last reviewed: 2026-02-25
What you actually do
Fabricate and join metal parts for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure repair.
Why AI does not easily replace it
Quality weld work depends on hand skill, positional constraints, and judgment in non-ideal conditions.
What it pays
$43,000 - $76,000
BLS OOH: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (May 2024 pay)
Salary benchmark year: 2024
How to get in
Trade school or apprenticeship + process-specific welding certifications.
Estimated time to entry: ~18 months (path-dependent).
State-by-state training and licensing links
- Apprenticeship.gov: Registered apprenticeship job finder
- Apprenticeship.gov: State apprenticeship offices
Where demand is growing
Stable demand across construction, shipyards, and industrial maintenance.
Ready to explore?
Compare this career in the full directory, or run the exposure calculator against your current role.
"The moat is not a prompt. It is responsibility in the real world."