Anyone looking for a high-paying welding job should consider industrial pipeline welding. You can either work for a company or as a private contractor. Either way, pipeline welders are in high demand, making the trade a stable career choice. Keep reading to learn what it’s like to work on industrial pipelines.

Be Prepared To Travel

Industrial pipelines are hundreds of miles long, spreading across entire states and regions of the country. If you’re a pipeline welder, you’ll have to travel to each job site. As a contractor, that means going wherever the work is. It’s not uncommon to drive for several hours and then work another several hours on the actual welding job.

You Might Be Away From Home

Some pipeline welders travel around the entire country working on different pipelines, while others have a home base in certain regions. Regardless, you could end up being away from home for long trips—especially if you’re overseeing the installation of new pipelines. Some contractors live in RVs while they’re out on the road to help cut down regular travel costs.

Reputation Equals Higher Pay

Welding is one of those industries where you get paid more depending on your skills and how long you’ve been in the business. You definitely have to start at the bottom of the hierarchy and work your way up. Thankfully, establishing yourself is easy if you’re good at your job and willing to work hard. Because pipeline welding takes a lot of skill, it’s one of the highest-paying welding jobs available.

Understanding Pay Scale

Pipeline welders get paid in three different ways: arm pay, truck pay, and per diem. They pay taxes on arm pay, but not the other two. Here’s how that pay usually turns out:

• Arm pay: Welding pay rate; $36-$52 per hour
• Truck pay: Contractor equipment fee; $15-$25 per hour
• Per diem: Food and lodging during job; $100-$150 per day, paid weekly

Flexibility Is Key

Flexibility is important in many jobs. Being a flexible pipeline welder means having the ability to work with different personalities and adapt to new information. However, welding is also about your physical flexibility. Welding on industrial pipelines can mean standing in uncomfortable positions as you carefully weld cracks in a pipe. It’s a job that truly requires decent physical strength and stamina.

Now that you know what it’s like to work on industrial pipelines, it’s time to decide if it’s a good career choice for you. If you enjoy traveling for work and working outdoors, industrial pipeline welding could be a fantastic fit!

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