Welding trades

£30,243

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

47 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

1.82%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Welding trades

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5215

Welding trades workers join metal parts by welding, brazing and soldering, and cut and remove defects from metal using a variety of equipment and techniques.

Common tasks include:

selects appropriate welding equipment such as electric arc, gas torch, etc.;
connects wires to power supply, or hoses to oxygen, acetylene, argon, carbon dioxide, electric arc, or other source and adjusts controls to regulate gas pressure and rate of flow;
cuts metal pieces using gas torch or electric arc;
guides electrode or torch along line of weld, burns away damaged areas, and melts brazing alloy or solder into joints;
cleans and smoothes weld;
checks finished workpiece for defects and conformity with specification.

Qualifications

Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades or an appropriate GNVQ/GSVQ. Training is typically by apprenticeship incorporating practical experience and technical training. NVQs/SVQs are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Welders must normally pass a competency test in the particular type of welding to be carried out.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Welding trades

Regional employment: Welding trades

Future employment: Welding trades

Top 12 industries: Welding trades

Alternative & related job titles: Welding trades

Welder, electric Welder, spot Welder, coded Machinist, soldering Burner, oxy-acetylene Fitter-welder Jointer, chain Fabricator-welder Attendant, plant, welding Cutter, oxy-acetylene Welder and cutter Technician, welding Burner, gas (building construction) Welder Brazier Cutter (shipbuilding) Welder, mig Cutter, gas Engineer, welding Burner, scrap (steelworks) Brazer Deseamer (steelworks) Burner Cutter, steel Machinist, brazing Welder, chain Burner, profile Burner (coal mine) Assistant, welder's Cutter, flame Burner (demolition) Burner, acetylene Cutter, acetylene Welder, CO2 Burner, lead Dresser, flame (rolling mill) Welder-fitter Lancer, thermic Welder-fabricator Welder, fabrication Burner (railways) Scarfer (steel mfr) Sweater (metal trades) Welder, fabricator Cutter, metal, scrap Solderer (metal trades) Builder, chassis Solderer and jointer, case Cutter, scrap Burner (metal trades) Operator, deseaming Solderer (jewellery, plate mfr) Welder, arc Cutter (boiler mfr) Welder, maintenance

Equality focus: Welding trades

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.