Explore Careers in Welding - Jay Leno's Garage 

I agree with Jay on this one -- getting a 4-year degree from a university isn't the path for everyone. Some people don't *want* to sit behind a desk at a computer all day. (I chose the sit-behind-a-desk path for my career, but that's just *my* personal preference.) Why have physical hands-on skills been demeaned by the "elite" in this country? We *need* welders, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, etc., etc -- they BUILD and FIX the things that make our technological world WORK!! Without them, we're living in the STONE AGES! You definitely do *not* need a 4-year university degree to be successful. All you need is a GOOD, MARKETABLE SKILL and a GOOD WORK ETHIC, and you will ALWAYS be successful.

As a welder from canada,it's about time someone got this message out! two of my stepsons are now welders and thank me every day for getting them interested

Artisans and craftsmen are truly becoming a rare and elusive breed. Breaks my heart, and honestly worries me.

I'm a member of AWS and was Vice Chair 1 in my local chapter while I was in school getting my certs. It really is a great and fulfilling career for anyone who enjoys working with their hands. Nothing like looking at what you've welded/built at the end of the day to give you that sense of accomplishment. Thank you Jay for using your reach to get the word out more. WE NEED MORE WELDERS!

I am glad that someone like you is helping the younger generation by showing this, thank you

I did my graduate research in welding with one of the top researchers/professors in welding!! it is a very cool field and I agree that there are not enough people who are skilled welders in the US.

I'm starting in the welding course at my local jc in january after a lengthy layoff in my previous field. This could be the greatest move I've ever made or it could set me back even more. Either way I'm excited about taking the risk.

I'm a 4th generation carpenter. (Finish carpenter) and I do custom wood work. I make a good living doing what I love. I'm only 24 and I have a degree in architecture. So I design and also build everything I make. People usually look down on me because what I do for a living involves using my hands. I don't see many people my age doing skilled labor work...

Alberta Canada. I watched a welder make $3800 in one hour. Came to the drilling rig, welded on a casing bowl, fixed several things around the rig. Gone. So... you still want to be a history major?

This is very cool, Jay. Thanks for showing this!

*****, thank you for taking a tour of our trailer! We hope we can influence the future of the American job-force and bring more people into welding.

i find it really weird cuz i just started taking welding in school and now jay keeps putting up vids about how its such a great job> Thx Jay!!!!

A Message for Jay Leno...Welding today is awesome and forever part of the day we live. An airplane, boats, a bridge, cars, electrical-fixture boxes, metal-furniture, power-line poles, and infrastructure in our America is built in the "Trades." T J (Tom) Vanderloop, AWS Member

They should fill that trailer with smoke and turn the heater on for simulation purpose

I work with an architectural welder that got laid off and could not find work. He went back to school and now he's a nurse. I love welding. There's just something about fusing two metals together that's badass. Well ventilated area with the proper PPE and you'll be fine. There is always that inherent danger with high voltages and molten metal but that's half the fun. I worked in a steal mill and did work for inhouse use. In the summer it would hover around 96 degrees in the coolest parts of the plant. Sometimes I would go without the leather bib for fear of heat stroke. You feel it when you get that rogue spark go down your shirt or a piece of slag drop in your boot. Is there jobs in welding? Not in my area. The stigma behind male nurses is a thing of the past. It's still a field dominated by women. But as a male nurse you get preferential treatment. Men don't complain as much as women. It's a great field to be in as a man. But I'd rather be welding and making good money to do it.

Been welding 9 years got qualified in 2013 im a total badass folks

Thanks for the vid Jay. Lincoln Electric is a fine American company that treats its employees well and has an excellent reputation across the world for tough,reliable machines and consumables.

Excellent, I'm glad to see this

I'm probably too old to do it now, but I wish I had been introduced to welding as a career when I was younger. The thing I've seen about welders vs. many of the other professions listed below was that welders are generally happy. Satisfaction and a sense of completion with their jobs - something that is harder to come by with a few other jobs - leads to a happier life overall. And that are all types of welding that can't be, or just won't be, robotized. Mass production will be done by robots, but all one has to do is to look around them for all the lower production military, race, construction, etc. projects going on that will use welders. My favorite would be welding as a job and as an art form; this isn't 'performance art,' but instead welds and projects that get used - hard- but that have really artistic welds to look at. For example, ZTFab's welds throughout this thread: weldingweb.com/showthread.php?30845-Mig-like-Tig/page6

You're a good man, Jay... Thanks for this.

i went through that trailer at the 2014 ffa national convention and after that ive taken alot of interest in welding and that is what ill be working towards in my future career

i am a welder. i am 18. i make 16 a hour. Got to work strait out of high school to get out of the parents place. the work is not easy, it takes allot of practice, i build boilers. I do not like, but i grit my teeth and do it. However, why i do not like it you may ask? I work 60 hours a week. usually 1 day off (sunday). I work 6am to 530pm monday-friday and 6am to 12pm or 2 pm on saturday depending on the amount of work needing to be done. you get 1 15 minute break at 9am, a 30 minute lunch at 12pm, and 1 15 minute lunch at 3pm. Mind you i am 18. I usually need to be in bed at 9pm otherwise work will be rough tommorrow, so you need sleep...so break it down. be home at 6pm. take a shower, eat something, wash your work cloths, do any necessary chores (dishes, cleaning the apartment, trash, ect...) approx 1 hour and 15 minutes to finish those tasks. so i get about 7:15pm to 9pm. yep. thats right. 1 hour and 45 minutes to get anything else done (buy groceries, play a game, talk to a friend, god forbid get any college homework done, spend some time with your girlfriend or wife, any hobby you may have) 1 hour and 45 minutes a day (and your exhausted at the end of the day). HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY ENJOY LIFE AT ALL WITH SO LITTLE TIME. I am 18, i want to play some video games, i want to be with my girlfriend (whom lives with me) and build a strong relationship, i wake up at 5:00am everyday so i can be more so awake at work so i dont screw up my welds, they are xrayed and ultrasounded, so no room for errors, I kiss her goodbye while she is still asleep at 5:40am everyday, i do not get to spend time with her during the day and she works usually 10am to 5pm 5 days a week, by the time i get off im tired, filthy, and just want to sleep, but i try to squeez any energy i have left to be with her because she means so much to me, she is the only thing keeping me at any sort of happiness right now because i have no time for anything else . I do not get to play any game consoles, or be with any friends, or have time for college (which i am trying so hard to save for so i do not drown myself in student debt), by the time you are off all the banks are closed, any utility places are closed, it doesnt help matters. That is my life. That is a young 18 year old welders life. I HAVE NO TIME FOR ANY THING. NO TIME TO ENJOY YOUTH. But i have some money, more than allot of 18 year olds, i do not have to worry about not being able to afford bills, yes, money, its a security, i have financial security. At what cost though? I really put effort into my work because im looking at 20, 30, 60 years in the future, where do i want to be? Im still unsure as to what i want to go to college for, i didnt have the luxry of college right after highschool like allot of kids whos parents have financial security, you know? lucky them. I plan on doing the same thing for m children one day, i want to give them everything i didnt have. I am planning on it. 1 bead at a time with perfect tied ends, i am clawing my way up. At the cost of my own precious time and health, im doing it. But that is the life of a young welder jay.

I don't know what to believe anymore. in 2011 I graduated from welding course, that was a year long, with 10 welding certifications, the most in my class, verified by x-ray and I couldn't get one job in the field. they ALL said that they wanted someone with experience :/ I love welding and would do it for 8-10 hours straight, but nobody would hire me from space x to Lockheed martin to the federal government on down...

Good on you, Jay Leno. I agree with you. There should be more school and classes in metal shaping, welding, and all things to do with cars. Thanks for the video, we need more like it. ~Peter Tommasini

Well jay, I feel the same way. That's why I'll be starting a 2 year associate degree program at TSTC in Waco, Tx this fall.

I'm 20 work with a security company then on Monday's and Wednesday's I go to welding and I'm still learning how to weld but I wish I could just do that it sucks going to work at a security company around 8 and getting off whenever the job is done sometimes I'm late for welding and I don't feel like welding at all but I wish I could just weld I would enjoy it a lot more. I already love it can't wait to see what happens in the future

I am in school for anthropology but after resewrching how many jobs there are and starting pay ive realized that i should look into the trades for a job, and then later on do anthropology for fun. I took a metalworking class in college and loved it so I presume welding is the best trade for me. Looking to start the certificate program at my local community college this summer. Metal and fire? Count me in. Lets see how well i do.

*Interesting Subject and Great Video! Thanks, **Jay Leno**!*

Hell yea..dam, this just made me want to go watch jay lenos best moments..instant fan

Thanks Jay!

The master welder is looking a little flabbergasted 5:19 I love welding and can see how this virtual method could be very useful at getting youngsters involved.

thanks J, this is good stuff to show and teach young ppl, im already gettin into welding myself.. deff a great career

Nice of you to do this for free Jay..

As a 18 year old guy in restoration, I would say this video was helpful

If you can weld Pipe, you can weld anything. At our Stainless project we have an average of 8-10 welders show up daily to test and 80% are failing. So many think they can do it but so few actually can

Very nice setup. I like the virtual welding concept.

Love watching Jay's videos

If being a welder is such a great job, why doesn't Jay sign up ? He is, after all, unemployed.

Welding today is so important to the American Culture. You can work anywhere in the world with basic welding skills and the ability to read "Welding Drawings" and construct standard structural metal-members of a print. Welding Engineering Technology at Ferris State & other schools offer 2-Year & 4-Year welding programs. Just do it! T J (Tom) Vanderloop, Author, Manufacturing Consultant & Technical Instructor, AWS & SME Member

"Ill just hire a guy cos its cheaper" ......yeah cos money is tight eh jay? Lolol

Great video. Good to see Jay's support of AWS.

Might try for this only done a bit of welding over here in the North East of England and no jobs going for it here!

I agree. There's plenty of jobs in North America, and particularly in the USA. There's just not enough skilled people who live in this country. There are not enough people who live in the USA who are willing to work.

Jay really prepared for this Gig. Ah. Umm. looking around lost.... thx Jay

They are coming down to San Diego!! Nice!!

There is a *HUGE* misconception about "welders needed" There are thousands of out of jobless welders out there because places only want to hire people with "2 years experience" Well It's hard to get 2 years experience when you can't get a job without 2 years experience. They don't mean 2 years as in school experience either they mean on the job experience. You could go to school for 8 years for welding and still not have a job. It's ridiculous. The AWS posted an older 2 minute clip of Jay promoting welding yesterday on facebook. I was wondering why.

The audio seemed a little on the low side, I could barely make out what was all said. I plan to enroll at Santa Ana College in their welding program for the Spring semester. I'll be sure to check out that website for more details about that scholarship. Thanks for the video.

Hey Jay, it's time you learn about good penetration!

I got about 75% through this vid before realizing this was Jay Leno 🤣

You need to get together with Mike Rowe and MikeRoweWorks campaign!!!!!

Jay, What a great video for High School students! If you ever get a chance to do another video about careers using waterjets, 3D printers, solidworks, etc. it certainly would be shown in High School classes and career centers. Thanks for the support from a High School Career and Technical Education teacher. Shop teacher : )

According to salary.com, the US national average annual income for a senior welder is $49,300. If that figure is correct, I can see why young adults out of high school aren't lining up to apply for these jobs. You can get some IT certifications in a few months and start making those figures working an entry level helpdesk position or as a network administrator.

Well I am actually I have been learning welding myself and most likely will be learning it professionally and actually the fumes are not a problem if you have good ventilation and you can almost guarantee a job right out of college

My petite artist (in addition to her primary career) daughter is an expert welder.

I am a pro welder. Nothing beats real world on the job experience

If you can weld, most oil fields will snap you up in a second. And pay immense money.

It's annoying how some people make things about money. Yes I'd love to make enough money but I usually go for what I think I'll like. I'm a crafty person and I'd probably love welding. I'm considering it.

Excellent

I didnt even know these oppertunities exsisted :O Could fix the sound qulity on the walk around parts though.

thank you for this video.

I want to learn all the welding all of the techniques

The real thing is WAY more fun :) Next year i'll study to become a welder myself.

No matter the training, most graduate of welding training, still need many hours of reps on stuff that's not an airplane wing to truly grasp what's going on with multi pass welding. Thankfully my shop has a quarry near by.

+Jay Leno's Garage you looking for any good tig welders Jay?

Nice work!

I started my career as a skilled craftsman doing marble, tile and wood flooring. I had some of my work published in Architectural Digest and won a Builders Exchange award for fine craftsmanship. Now I work on computers for a living doing computer aided drafting and design. I make more money, have better benefits, can sleep without pain in my knees and ankles and I don't have to breath in all the silica sand and sawdust. I disagree with Jay's view on computer jobs although I'm proud of my trade work If I had a do over I would have focused on a computer based career from the start.

I love being a welder. Welding fucking rules.

Any career options besides pipeline welders?

Basic cost of living is about 14.00a hour. That's in the south. You can just get by with that.

good for you jay, USA.............

Make me feel good perusing a degree in welding

Good

If i was 30 years younger, I would get a career in welding/metal working

I've been welding about 14 years now, unfortunately I can't get a job doing it thanks to having scoliosis and Kyphosis of the spine, it makes me a liability as far as the insurance is concerned.

tool and die maker myself and do alot of tig welding I would never consider a career not in the trades I like being useful lol

Jay tell em to come to alabama

we have one of those simulators at my technical school

Great information Jay. Too many young people only want to go to college to get an MBA or political science. Jay, can you buy Bernard some denims? :D

The only catch to this I believe is that most higher paying welding jobs require travel to somewhere else. If you’re married with kids who really wants to do that? Also the keyword is “skilled” because anyone can be taught to dab on a part with a weld that doesn’t have to be pretty. A skilled welder takes quite a bit of time and many job opportunities state “2-3 years experience.” If you’re new trying to break into welding well you’re already out because you lack experience.

i am not from America and i am intereseted any help ?

That is so true. woman do make very good welders. My daughter can weld . she has a certificate from car one. her welds look like they where finish with a file. but she is a artist first.

"I could save a fortune" :-D !!!

It is what I do for a living! 30 years? And then some?

I saw a company hiring out in Hawaii for welders 80k-100k a year thats crazy

based leno be praised

Haha, stick welding is not quite as easy as that simulation makes it look.

Too bad the didn't put mic's on the guest.. Would've been nice to hear what they said.

So what are the different careers in welding? I wonder how much welders get paid and what their average work week is like

Look at all the auto makers , robots/machines are welding everything now a days and replacing humans , less errors and more efficient

I'm a welder and work on tractor trailers. Took me eleven yrs to get on basic cost of living. But great career if you want to pollute your lungs and have sensitive eyes at night time. I like weld cause I create things and it's the carpenter of metal. . But can't afford my own equipment to do the stuff I want to build. Hey kid you want to be a mechanic cause you want to drive , work on them? Well don't be stupid get a education, cause you won't be able to afford it.

I worked in construction as a plumber and I met a lot of welders. most of them just want to retire. made me think they are doing it just for the money and they are not enjoying it. not like how most auto mechanics are so passionate about what they are doing.

Im a welder : ) hebron oil rig project to newfoundland, canada

Pay is determined by the local market of what employers are willing to pay. Move to an area where demand for welders is high with a shortage of welders equals high pay. College education means nothing when employers prefer experience over education. Employers often want you to have licenses from the state which require hours of work experience to obtain them...Catch 22.

Hi!

Not only are there not enough skilled workers there are not enough places to go to get trained. I can get a welding job here in Omaha - if I have several years of experience. So this truck would be a great place to get started. I wait for the day when a company can go to a college and say we need so many people in this field can you train them. The school says yes we can aand so people will have a job when they get out of college.

CNC machinist here 2nd year making 65k a year

Writing as a welder is great if you're fine with not making any money.

programmers work with their hands

Taft-Hartley Act>" Welding is a tool not a trade." So no welders union for welders.

Welders die earlier. Where do I sign up? Working with your hands is great as long as it doesn't kill you!