My Career Path As The Underwater Welder

Most people don’t know what they want to do when they are young, I used to be one of these people until I found my dream job in middle school. I knew that I wanted to do some form of welding, but I would like to work on big projects such as cargo ships and rocket ships. Underwater Welding is something I find intresting because I would have the opportunity to weld boats, bridges, and dams, I would also be underwater and have the chance to go places I never been to before for repairs.

If underwater welding doesn’t work out for me, then I would like to go do pipeline welding for different gas and oil companies in different parts of the country. My final fall back job would be construction welding, doing this kind of welding would allow me to work with just about anything made of metal that needs to be welded and worked on.

In order for me to do underwater welding, I have to have had at least 2-5 years in topside welding, diving skills which can usually take a month to pass the physical, Surface welding skills, and commercial diving skills. (WaterWelders, P1&P7)

I would need a high school diploma or higher such as a G.E.D., I will have to pass a physical commercial diving exam. Most of my time would be spent underwater working on ships, dams, and etc, I would also have to move around from site to site for some work depending on the project. (WaterWelders, P1&Last Paragraph)

Welding underwater can be dangerous so what you wear can make a big difference. Most commercial divers use a dry suit since it offers more protection and better climate control. Drysuits are usually made from one of three different materials such as neoprene, rubber, or shell. Coveralls are usually worn over the suit to ensure that the molten metal doesn’t burn through, along with thick, rubber linemen over several layers of latex. (WaterWelders, P11&P13 )

If I were able to make it in the top 50th percentile I would make about $53,990 as an average annual salary, and $25.96 per hour. Although $53,990 is average for the top 50%, you can make anywhere from $25,000 to $80,000 based on how many years in the field and your skill level. If not for Khrenov, we wouldn’t even be able to weld underwater. Khrenov found a safe method for welders to work underwater without the risk of dying from electric shock or any other injury that could occur on the job. Testing for the new method had been done in the Black Sea between both WWI and WW2.(WaterWelders, P2&P3)

Pipeline Technicians have three levels of skills, going from the lowest to the highest we have Pipeliner Trainee, Pipeliner, and Pipeliner Supervisor. Companies will sometimes require you to take a physical and be able to lift fifty pounds or less. In this line of work, you will need good communication skills, both verbal and written; Good decision-making skills, organization skills, must be able to perform an analytic and troubleshooting skill, good interpersonal skills, and be able to work with a team effectively. On top of all that you will have to pass a medical examination and receive any necessary vaccinations. (OilJobFinder, P6-Last Paragraph)

Although you’re only required to have a high school diploma or G.E.D., some employers will require you to have post-secondary education or an apprenticeship. Tulsa Welding school has a program that helps you learn skills in the pipeline welding industry. In their program, you will learn basic and advanced pipefitting skills. Once you start working your going to need to know these skills and be prepared for the weather.

An average salary for someone with decent skills would be around $24.14 per hour and you can make more if your skills are excellent. While on the job I will have to clean the gunk out of pipes and use blueprints to assemble the lines. Most of the time I will be with two others in a dry chamber welding and fitting pipes together.

In 1911, John Moon innovated the way pipes were made by suggesting that we use unending steel pipes to allow for more uses than they were originally created for. John had also created machinery for this very purpose and eventually, most facilities had his machines in their shops. (Pipelineequities, P2-P4)

While I am in the construction welder line of work I must know how to read blueprints, calculate dimensions, and then with all that information, I will have to make the appropriate metal joints. As I am doing all of this I will have to pay very close attention to detail and make sure my work is as flawless as it can be. The things you would want to pay attention to would be the molten metal flowage, be able to identify different joints, and I would need to inspect the parts and materials.