Shipyard Welder
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Build the ships that defend America
Shipyard welders join the steel plates, frames, and pipe that become commercial vessels and Navy ships. You will weld in every position, often inside tight compartments or high on scaffolding, and your welds must pass inspection to strict military and classification standards.
Welders train through vocational programs, community colleges, apprenticeships, or employer training, and many earn American Welding Society certifications. Shipyards often run their own apprentice schools that pay you while you learn.
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What it takes to build the trade
- Welding processes.
- Running stick, MIG, TIG, and flux-core welds on steel and aluminum.
- Blueprint and symbol reading.
- Reading weld symbols and ship drawings to put every joint in the right place.
- Steady hands.
- Laying clean, consistent beads in flat, vertical, and overhead positions.
- Safety discipline.
- Working safely around heat, fumes, confined spaces, and heights.
03
The numbers behind the opportunity
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, experience, and employer.
- $53,750
- Median annual wage, May 2025
- 40,300
- Projected openings each year, 2025–35
- 2.4%
- Projected employment growth, 2025–35
See where you stand
Take our skills assessment or upload your resume to see how your strengths map to a career in the trades.
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