Welder / Welding Technician in Winston-Salem, NC
Salary data, training programs, and job outlook for Winston-Salem-area Welder / Welding Technicians
💰 Winston-Salem Area Salary
Salaries vary by employer, experience, and certifications. Winston-Salem figures based on regional BLS data and cost-of-living adjustments.
📋 About Welder / Welding Technician Work in Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem
- Wake Technical Community College — Raleigh
- Central Piedmont Community College — Charlotte
- Guilford Technical Community College — Jamestown
- Fayetteville Technical Community College — Fayetteville
- Durham Technical Community College — Durham
📈 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