How To Become An Underwater Welder
If you’re interested in becoming an underwater welder, there are several things you’ll need to know before you can start training.
First of all, underwater welding requires a high level of training and mastery of many skills. You need to be able to swim well and be comfortable in the water for long periods of time. You also need to have good eyesight and hearing—underwater welding involves working with heavy tools, so you’ll need to be able to hear what your partner is saying from across the pool.
Additionally, underwater welders must be able to operate in low-light conditions—which can make it hard for them to see their work as they’re doing it.
And lastly, underwater welders must be able to hold their breath for long periods of time—sometimes up to ten minutes at a time! This means that they must have excellent lung capacity and cardiovascular fitness levels that allow them not only to swim quickly but also hold their breath longer than most people would think possible.
How To Become Underwater Welder
Offshore and underwater welders are commercial divers who combine their commercial diving skills with their welding knowledge to complete a wide range of construction projects. They are highly trained individuals who possess both commercial diving and welding qualifications. In this article, we discuss how to become an underwater welder, the earning potential and job outlook for underwater welding and other related roles, and provide some insight into the field and the skills you need to help you succeed on the job.
Related: Learn About Being a Welder
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What do underwater welders do?
Underwater welders use specialized equipment and procedures to fabricate, cut, weld and repair metal structures underwater. Many of the projects they work on include bridge and pier construction and other applications requiring working with metal. While job duties differ between employers and welding applications, most underwater welders are responsible for:
- Cutting, fitting and rigging metal components in construction projects
- Photographing underwater structures for evaluation and project planning
- Drafting plans, blueprints, outlines and diagrams for underwater welding applications
- Inspecting and testing underwater structures to ensure integrity and safe operation
- Welding and attaching metal components and structures underwater according to proper protocol
- Assisting project managers and engineers in project planning and development
- Providing input on the efficacy of welding applications and safe operation of equipment
- Guiding new welders in carrying out objectives in compliance with safety policies
Related: 10 Highest-Paying Diving Jobs
How to become an underwater welder
To become an underwater welder, you need credentials in both welding and commercial diving. Use the following steps to get an idea of what it takes to become an underwater welder:
1. Get your high school diploma or GED
To become a welder, you’ll have to get trained and certified, and the vast majority of vocational programs require the equivalent of a high school education to enter.
Read more: What Are Certifications? Definition, Benefits, Types of Certifications and Examples
2. Earn your welding certification
Prospective underwater welders must earn their welding certifications prior to commercial diving training and entering the career. Choosing an accredited welding course through the American Welding Society (AWS) can provide you with the educational qualifications you need to enroll in a commercial diving program. It’s important to consider welding programs that cover the skills you need in compliance with the AWS D3.6 standard, which demonstrates your capabilities with welding setup and equipment preparation.
Many employers will give preference to those who have worked in other forms of welding when hiring, so it may be beneficial to work elsewhere within the welding field before moving forward in your diving certification, though it is not technically required.
Read more: Guide to Welding Certifications
3. Attend a commercial diving school
Once you have your welding certification and some entry-level experience, you can enroll in a commercial diving program, which typically takes about seven months to complete. While there are many options available to prospective underwater welders, it’s important to choose the school that will provide you with the necessary credentials.
Several important topics your commercial dive training may cover include diver communication, underwater inspections, emergency procedures, diving physiology, hyperbaric chamber operations and the application of commercial-grade underwater tools.
Related: Learn How To Become a Commercial Diver
4. Complete your physical exams
All divers must take and pass a physical examination as approved by the Association of Diving Contractors International. Most physicals check vitals, evaluate for health conditions and confirm physical fitness. Underwater welders will need to be able to swim 400 meters unassisted—roughly 437 yards or 1,312 feet. To keep up to date, you may need to complete recertification training and assessments every few years to renew your certification. Once you’ve completed the steps above, you will be qualified for related underwater positions, such as a tender assisting an underwater welder or someone in a related commercial diving position.
Related: 11 Different Types of Scuba Certifications
5. Attend an underwater welding school
After you have both your welding and commercial diving certifications, you can enroll in an underwater welding program, which can take anywhere from six months to two years. Many employers require welders to hold a professional certification through an accredited underwater welding program, so it’s important to understand the exact requirements of the career path you’re pursuing. No matter the school you choose, topics the coursework may cover include wet welding techniques, air and mixed gas procedures and operation of underwater welding equipment.
Related: How To Become a Welder in 6 Steps
Average salary and job outlook for underwater welders
Underwater welding is a niche field that requires a lot of mastery, so you will likely hold other related titles along the way as you acquire expertise. While Indeed doesn’t have salary data for underwater welders specifically, welders earn an average salary of $38,569 per year and fabricator/welders earn an average of $57,387 per year. These averages are wide-ranging and can apply to all types of welders, including underwater welders. Commercial divers earn an average of $53,100 per year. For all of these career paths, your earning potential can change between employers, and may vary based on your experience and credentials as well as the location and depth of the dive. For updated salary information from Indeed Salaries, click on the salary links provided.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders, fabricators, brazers and cutters can expect a 3% growth in job availability between 2019 and 2029. Since the job of a commercial diver and underwater welder can be hazardous, many employers have a high demand for qualified welders. Infrastructure development and construction along coastlines can also present additional job opportunities into the future.
Related: Highest-Paying Welding Jobs
Tips for advancing in your career
Underwater welding is a skilled profession that requires physical stamina and mechanical aptitude. While there is no singular pathway to become an underwater welder, you should consider the following tips to develop and advance in your career:
- Attend trade shows, training workshops and events that focus on innovation and current applications in your industry. This can help you stay updated on the latest technologies and advancements that can help you on the job.
- Stay up-to-date on commercial diving protocols and safety regulations. This can help ensure you’re always in compliance when performing on the job.
- As you gain more experience, offer to mentor new welders. This demonstrates your leadership capabilities and your dedication to helping team members achieve success.
- Communicate regularly with project directors and team members to understand expectations and any modifications or changes to project designs.
- Develop your hard skills and your soft skills. Your specialized skills can benefit from continuous development, and your soft skills are necessary for working with others and building professional relationships that can support your career success.
Related: Welding Jobs: Average Salary and Highest-Paying Positions
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Top skills for underwater welders
Underwater welders rely on a range of transferable skills in addition to their specialized training and knowledge. Consider the following skill sets that you need for success in addition to your education and training in welding and commercial diving:
Communication skills
Underwater welders use a variety of communication skills both on land and underwater to ensure everyone on their teams understands protocols and project objectives. Your ability to communicate verbally and in writing are both important aspects of the job. Additionally, active listening to disseminate information accurately is another important communication skill you need for success.
Analytical skills
Analyzing project details, evaluating performance and efficacy of applications and inspecting structures and equipment are several job duties that require analytical skills. Additionally, your attention to detail is extremely critical when operating welding equipment underwater. With strong analytical skills, underwater welders are better able to make important decisions and apply strategies to complete projects.
Problem-solving skills
Mitigating risks to structural repairs, deciding on the best solutions for project construction and implementing solutions to achieve objectives are all examples of how underwater welders rely on their problem-solving skills. It’s also important to have strong conflict-resolutions skills and the ability to approach problems with solutions in mind so you can perform effectively on the job.
Creativity
Underwater welders may sometimes take part in the planning and design process of an underwater construction project. Creative thinking and innovation are important to collaborate with others, provide input on project decisions and offer new ideas that lead to successful outcomes.
Interpersonal skills
Welders must work on commercial dive teams to ensure safe operation of equipment, the safety of divers and the success of underwater projects. Interpersonal skills like teamwork and empathy help these professionals collaborate with others, understand others’ perspectives and build supportive relationships. Additionally, interpersonal skills are necessary to navigate different situations in your career, as you are likely to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
