How to become a welder
Welding is one of the highest-paying skilled trades in the UK for those who specialise. General fabrication welders earn £28,000-£40,000, while coded welders working in oil and gas, nuclear, pipeline and offshore can clear £55,000-£90,000+ with the right tickets and travel. Demand is consistently strong - the UK has a well-documented shortage of coded welders.
In this guide, you'll learn how to become a welder in the UK, what you can realistically earn, and whether the trade fits you.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £30,000
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £80,000 (coded / offshore)
- Work environment
- Workshop, site, or offshore
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Not required - NVQ + tickets
- Category
- Skilled Trades
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Career change.
What a Welder does
Join metal parts using heat - in manufacturing, construction, or oil and gas.
- Coded Welder - Welds tested and approved for high-pressure or critical work.
- Pipe Welder (Offshore) - High-paying offshore work on rigs and platforms.
How to become a welder in the UK
Most welders start with a Level 2 or Level 3 Welding apprenticeship (2-3 years, paid) or a college course (City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 in Welding and Fabrication). The real income jump comes from coded welding tests - process and material specific qualifications (e.g. 6G TIG, ASME IX, BS EN ISO 9606) that prove you can weld to the standards required for pressure vessels, pipelines or structural steel. Coding is what unlocks the £50,000+ jobs.
- Try a taster or short course in MIG, MMA (stick) and TIG welding at a local college to find out whether you enjoy the work.
- Apply for a Level 2 or Level 3 welding apprenticeship with a fabrication, engineering or manufacturing firm, or enrol on a City & Guilds welding and fabrication course.
- Learn to read engineering drawings and weld symbols, and practise flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead welds on both plate and pipe.
- Get a CSCS card if you want site work, plus any safety training your employer needs, such as working at height or confined spaces.
- Take coded welding tests to BS EN ISO 9606 or ASME IX in the process and material your target employers use, such as TIG on pipe.
- Keep your coding valid by welding regularly in that process, as employers must confirm your continued work before a qualification can stay current.
- For offshore work, complete the required offshore safety training and medical, then target pipe, structural or pressure work through contractors and agencies.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding apprenticeship (Level 2 or 3) | 2-3 years | Paid, training funded | School leavers and new starters |
| City & Guilds college course | 1-2 years | Often free for 16-18s; adult fees vary | Getting a qualification before applying |
| Trainee or fabricator's mate, then coding | 1-3 years | Coding tests often employer-paid | Adults who want to earn straight away |
How long it takes
You can start as a trainee or apprentice welder straight away, and most people are working as competent fabrication welders within 1 to 3 years. Coded qualifications for pipe or pressure work usually come after further experience and testing.
Welder salary in the UK
Trainee and apprentice welders earn £15,000-£22,000. General fabrication welders £28,000-£40,000. Coded welders (TIG, MIG/MAG to BS EN ISO 9606 or ASME IX standards) £40,000-£60,000. Specialist coded welders in oil and gas, nuclear, offshore or pipeline work £55,000-£90,000+, often through agency or contract work with travel. Day rates for skilled coded welders typically sit at £200-£400.
Is welder a good career?
Welding is a strong career for hands-on people who want a clear path from apprenticeship to specialist, well-paid coded work. Demand is structurally high in the UK, the qualification is internationally portable, and the income ceiling for coded welders is among the highest in the trades. Trade-offs include physical wear (back, eyes, lungs without proper kit), heat exposure, the upfront commitment to coding tests (£300-£800 each), and contract/travel-heavy work for the highest-paying jobs.
Key skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Patience
- Reading drawings
- Safety
Welder FAQs
How do I become a welder in the UK?
Start with a Level 2 or Level 3 Welding apprenticeship (2-3 years, paid) or a college course (City & Guilds Level 2 or 3). The real income jump comes from coded welding tests - process and material specific qualifications (6G TIG, ASME IX, BS EN ISO 9606) needed for pressure vessels, pipelines and structural steel.
How much do welders earn in the UK?
General fabrication welders £28,000-£40,000. Coded welders £40,000-£60,000. Specialist coded welders in oil and gas, nuclear, offshore or pipeline work £55,000-£90,000+, often agency or contract with travel. Day rates for skilled coded welders sit at £200-£400.
What is a coded welder?
A coded welder has passed a process- and material-specific qualification test (e.g. 6G TIG, ASME IX, BS EN ISO 9606) certifying they can weld to a defined standard. Codings are the gateway to the highest-paying welding jobs - pressure vessels, pipelines, structural steel and oil and gas.
Is welding a good career in the UK?
Yes for hands-on people who want a clear apprenticeship route into highly-paid coded specialist work. Demand is structurally high. Trade-offs are physical wear, heat exposure, upfront coding test costs (£300-£800 each), and contract/travel-heavy work for top pay.
Is Welder right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Welder actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Still deciding whether welder is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.