r/Welding • u/dayornightt Newbie • 10h ago

Career question First Job

28 days ago, I picked up a torch for the first time. 14 days ago, I was AWS certified in 1F-3F. One week ago, I landed my first job. It only pays 23.50/hr, and it’s M-Th from 5PM - 3:30 AM (which works well for my Circadian rhythm 😂). It’s also temporary but can become permanent based on performance. Before this, I was working in Non-Profit as an IT Administrator. Got sick of it. Got sick of office culture, undercover haters and pettiness. I did work at the airport maybe 7 or 8 years ago, so I’m used to grind-it-out, hard on the body work.

We will be MIG welding robotic parts for Amazon using 3G and a few tack welds. When I took the weld test I had never done a groove weld and still passed. It was my first weld test and I was super proud. I am concentrated on doing a good job so I can stay mid to long term, but I’m not super nervous about it. I’m a hard worker, but I’m also strategic with my energy and I pick things up quickly.

Any advice for me as I start my welding journey?

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u/ATLSxFINEST93 10h ago

$23.50 right out of school, for shop welding, is pretty good. Depending on where you live, it could be SINK-style money.

Learn what you can from the old heads at the job. Ask questions. Don't be afraid of criticism.

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u/dayornightt 9h ago

wont lie, i think the school’s reputation helped, but its also a production job. im not concerned about production because the principle of production has always been with me. i get it.

but thats perfect advice. i’ve been criticized up and down at every job ive been at even if i was good at it lol. i expect it at this point 😂

i live in KY. don’t have kids either, and dont plan to so im good with it for now.

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u/ATLSxFINEST93 9h ago

Hey, no shame in the name opening doors. Being an Eagle Scout has opened more doors than I ever would've gotten. Take the opportunity.

Oh don't worry, you'll likely get crucified verbally, at least once, for poor welds. Even if they aren't that bad lol. Comes with the territory.

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u/dayornightt 7h ago

i hear that. and congratulations on that achievement. i can accept that 😂 as long as it comes with the money

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u/PerformerForsaken287 7h ago

I literally left welding to work at Amazon lol, just so I could go back to school and learn TIG and 6G pipe welding, because that’s where the real money is. The pay at Amazon is practically the same as what I was making doing MIG, so once I get my specialty certifications and experience, I’ll probably go back into welding.

My advice is to get into a specialty welding field because, unfortunately, MIG alone doesn’t pay much better. That’s a big reason why I went back to Amazon. I learned flux-core welding, plasma cutting, arc gouging, and more, but I eventually got tired of all the hard labor, breathing in fumes, and sacrificing my nights just to make an extra $1–$2 an hour. At some point, it just wasn’t worth it anymore. I’d rather invest in learning a specialty that can actually pay off in the long run.

I highly recommend learning TIG and stick welding so you can get into pipe welding. That’s where you can really start making good money, with some specialized pipe welding jobs paying anywhere from $35 to $150 an hour, depending on your experience, certifications, location, and the type of work. I’d rather work toward a skill that gives me better opportunities and higher earning potential in the long run. 💯, MiG is cool don't get me wrong you learn to read blueprints, fit-up etc. but your not respected in America at all when it comes to pay need to learn Pipe ASAP.

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u/dayornightt 7h ago

that’s great advice and honestly i do want to work up to that. i’m honestly hoping i can learn it on the job. i have seen it some job descriptions. honestly had a plan exactly like that on welding type expansion that in mind, now its just execution lol. thank you for this perspective!

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u/Some_Pride5093 9h ago

that's a quick turnaround from picking up torch to getting certified, nice work. night shift is not so bad when you already know your body handle it, i did plenty of overnights in air force and you just get used to rhythm

advice would be keep your hood down and watch what the older welders are doing even if they dont explain much. you pick things up fast so just observe and ask when something look weird

also 23.50 starting is decent for first gig, i know people who started way lower than that so dont let anyone make you feel bad about it

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u/dayornightt 9h ago

it is, and i do plan to keep this quick turnaround to myself 😂 but i definitely don’t feel bad at all. sorta relieved. i plan to save some money and go back for Stick or TIG welding if i cant learn it on the job.

but i will definitely take that advice. i have an extreme will to learn as much as i can and become very knowledgeable about what my job is. i hate the idea of sucking at what i do no matter what it is lol.

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u/2HeadedNorseman 14m ago

I don’t want to be the one to tell you, but there’s no escaping the undercover haters and pettiness.