Welder / Welding Technician in Sterling Heights, MI
Salary data, training programs, and job outlook for Sterling Heights-area Welder / Welding Technicians
💰 Sterling Heights Area Salary
Salaries vary by employer, experience, and certifications. Sterling Heights figures based on regional BLS data and cost-of-living adjustments.
📋 About Welder / Welding Technician Work in Sterling Heights
Welders fuse metal together using heat and electricity to build everything from bridges and pipelines to aircraft and auto frames. Certified underwater welders and pipeline welders can earn $100K–$200K+. It's pure craftsmanship that never goes offshore.
What You Do Day-to-Day
- Perform MIG, TIG, Stick, and flux-core welding
- Read blueprints and weld to specs
- Inspect welds for quality and code compliance
- Operate plasma cutters and grinders
- Work in confined spaces and at heights
🎓 Training Programs Near Sterling Heights
- Henry Ford College — Dearborn
- Macomb Community College — Warren
- Lansing Community College — Lansing
- Grand Rapids Community College — Grand Rapids
- Washtenaw Community College — Ann Arbor
📈 Job Outlook
National Growth: 3% (Average)
National Jobs: 452K employed nationwide
Credential Required: AWS Certified Welder (CW) — industry standard
Typical Program: Welding Certificate or Diploma — 6 months–2 years