Welders build the bones of our society. They join pieces of metal together using heat. The welding process creates a stronger join than just bolts or rivets. Welders build cars and bridges, as well as boilers. They work in many other construction and industrial jobs, too. Welding is a central trade in many industries.

In essence, welders melt together the edges of two metal objects. When the edges dry and harden, they form a permanent bond or weld. There are two basic types of welding: arc welding and gas welding.

They generally earn from about $18 to $35 an hour. That works out to $37,000 to $73,000 a year for full-time workers.