Welding & Fabrication
Demand in Montana for individuals with welding and fabrication skills continues to increase.
Wondering what else is out there? Take our Career Interest Quiz if you’re not sure which pathway is for you.
Playing With Fire
When hot metal becomes your career.
What attracted me was playing with fire first and molten metal and I decided to give
the program a shot, and I ended up enjoying it and this is what I want to do now as
a career.
Jonathan Magana
Welding, Great Falls
Certificate of Applied Science
One year of study
Machinist
- Average Salary: $53,320
- Job Growth (10 yr): Average
Sheet Metal Worker
- Average Salary: $53,230
- Job Growth (10 yr): Average
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Two years of study
Structural Iron and Steel Worker
- Average Salary: $59,750
- Job Growth (10 yr): Average
Welder
- Average Salary: $49,990
- Job Growth (10 yr): Average
Bachelor’s Degree
Four years of study
Materials Engineer
- Average Salary: $75,310
- Job Growth (10 yr): Average
Make Your Way Into Welding and Fabrication
Whether you’re just exploring in high school, still undecided as a college student,
or an adult who is wondering if this field is right for you, you can take steps today
towards achieving a career in Welding and Fabrication. Find out what you can do no
matter where you are.
You can start exploring careers as early as high school. What are you taking for electives? Consider some of the following:
- Welding
- Metals
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) and/or Mechanical Drafting
- Manufacturing and Fabrication
- Shop Safety/Any OSHA Training
- Ag Metals
- Senior Year Math
- Physics
- Geometry
- CPR
- Aerospace Welding
- Welding Fabrication Tech
- Welding and Fabrication
- Industrial Welding
- Metals Technology
- Machinist Technician
- Mechanical Engineering Welding Option
>Work-based learning provides opportunities for you to get in the field and see what it’s like working in your chosen profession. See what opportunities are available.
- Job Shadow
- Internships
- Welding Pre-apprenticeships
- Business and Industry Tours
- Attend College-Industry Events (e.g. Women in Gear at Helena College, Manufacturing Day at Gallatin College, TekNoExpo at MSU Northern)
- Summer Job
- Welder
- Welding Engineer
- Assembler
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Machinist
- Quality Control Technician
- Metal Artist
- Production Manager
- Corrosion Technician
- Structural Metal Worker