Shipyard Welding Explained

Welders work in various environments, including shipyards where they work on water vehicles. So, what is a shipyard welder and what do they do? Shipyard welders use power tools and hand tools to repair and build boats and ships.

A shipyard welder might work on building new watercraft or on vessels that are docked and need to be repaired. They interpret schematic drawings and blueprints, follow safety regulations and use different welding processes.

Shipyard welders inspect materials, conduct ship component construction, repair ship components and monitor the welding process. Formal education and training in welding are required to become a shipyard welder, and job prospects and salary can vary depending on factors such as experience and demand.

If you have a love for the water and boats and enjoy working with your hands, you might be interested in a career as a shipyard welder. Here’s what welders do and how to become one.

Shipyard Welder Job Description

Welders use electrical currents to fuse metals like steel together to repair parts or build new components. In a shipyard, a welder uses power tools and hand tools to work on boats and ships.

Shipyard welders interpret schematic drawings and blueprints to help understand the required job. They follow safety regulations and use a variety of welding processes, like gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW), to complete each job.

The typical daily duties of a shipyard welder might include:

• Inspecting materials and structures to weld
• Conducting ship component construction
• Repairing ship components
• Using cutting tools and torches
• Monitoring the welding process to prevent overheating
• Maintaining organized and clean workspaces, machinery and equipment
• Updating welding task logs

A shipyard welder will get a job assignment from a supervisor, safely execute the work and provide updates. Efficient and effective shipyard welding is crucial so ships and boats operate safely for all on board. Successful jobs also lower costs and get ships and boats on the water in less time.

How To Become a Shipyard Welder in 3 Steps

Step 1: Determine if shipyard welding is a good fit for you

If you’re interested in pursuing a welding career, it would be a good idea to get an understanding of the role and qualifications. Typically, a high school diploma or GED diploma combined with proper technical training are requirements to become a welder.

All welders need to be comfortable using their hands and physically fit since welding is a job that may require welding in various positions. They also need to have manual dexterity and be detail-oriented. Shipyard welders also may have to lift heavy objects.

If you enjoy working with your hands, want to learn how to read blueprints to build and repair ships and are comfortable working with electricity, shipyard welding may be a great fit for you! 

Read: What is a Welder: Salary, Types & Duties

Step 2: Attend a welding school to get training

Going to a trade school for welding can help you learn the proper techniques and safety guidelines used in the welding field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports postsecondary education in welding can help aspiring welders obtain a position. The BLS states employers increasingly prefer to hire welders who have completed formal training.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers a Welding Technology program that can be completed in 36 weeks.¹ It provides hands-on training to help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in welding. UTI created this program with Lincoln Electric, a leader in the development of welding technology.

Step 3: Pursue a welding career

Once you’ve completed your welding courses, you can start to pursue a career! UTI offers Career Services for students and graduates to help them find employment by providing guidance and resources.

Most welders start out working in entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, welders may be able to advance in their career with experience and hard work.⁷⁷

Some welding job opportunities include: 

Entry Level

• Welder
• Fabrication welder
• Welder fitter
• Wirer

Advanced

• Inspector
• Quality control
• Certified welding inspector
• Welding project manager

Job Outlook & Salary for Shipyard Welders

According to the BLS, there are more than 45,000 estimated average annual welding job openings in the United States.⁴² The BLS states job prospects should be good for welders who are trained in the latest technologies, but welders who lack up-to-date training may face strong job competition.

The BLS also reports that the median annual salary for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the U.S. was $48,940 in May 2023.²⁶ This means half of welders earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary can vary depending on several factors, including experience, employer, industry and demand in the area.

Welders may progress in their careers to become shipyard welder managers, inspectors and supervisors. There are welder management positions in all types of industries.

Some experienced shipyard welders may move into other welding industries like aerospace or automobile welding. Some shipyard welders may become business owners or work as self-employed welders.

Get Welding Training at UTI

Want to get started? UTI’s Welding Technology program will take you through the fundamentals such as:

• Welding safety
• Welding principles
• Engineering and fabrication
• Pipe welding
• Various welding applications

Learn more about our welding program by requesting more information! Programs start frequently at campuses across the country.