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Best Jobs For Former Welders [2026]

By Chris Kolmar
Jul. 13, 2022
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

Best Jobs for Former Welders in 2026

The welding industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, and many former welders are exploring new career opportunities. As of 2026, the demand for skilled tradespeople remains robust, yet the pathways for welders transitioning into other roles have expanded significantly.

Despite a steady stream of individuals entering welding programs, fewer people are pursuing welding careers directly, leading many to seek alternative job opportunities. This raises an important question:

What career paths are former welders taking?

To find out, we analyzed the resumes of thousands of individuals who once worked as welders. We focused on the top 100 jobs that former welders have transitioned into, highlighting the most notable and surprising roles derived from our findings.

Top Career Options for Former Welders

  1. Mechanic Jobs

  2. Millwright Jobs

  3. Sheet Metal Mechanic Jobs

  4. Operator Jobs

  5. Iron Worker Jobs

  6. Carpenter Jobs

  7. Equipment Operator Jobs

  8. Weld Inspector Jobs

  9. Machinist Jobs

  10. Quality Control Inspector Jobs

While some of these roles may appeal more than others, they all represent viable career paths worth considering.

For a detailed overview of these jobs, refer to the complete list below.

Detailed Ranking of Common Jobs for Former Welders

Rank Job Title %
1 Welder Fitter 5.06%
2 Maintenance Technician 2.71%
3 Pipe Welder 1.75%
4 Mechanic 1.28%
5 Machine Operator 1.23%
6 Structural Welder 1.18%
7 Millwright 0.96%
8 Technician 0.96%
9 Maintenance Welder 0.94%
10 Sheet Metal Mechanic 0.86%
11 Tig Welder 0.83%
12 Driver 0.77%
13 Owner 0.74%
14 Lead Welder 0.74%
15 Owner/operator 0.72%
16 Forklift Operator 0.71%
17 Millwright/welder 0.71%
18 Supervisor 0.68%
19 Operator 0.66%
20 Iron Worker 0.66%
21 Mig Welder 0.61%
22 Carpenter 0.59%
23 Equipment Operator 0.58%
24 Weld Inspector 0.57%
25 Machinist 0.55%
26 Quality Control Inspector 0.53%
27 Truck Driver 0.51%
28 Farm Hand 0.49%
29 Combo Welder 0.48%
30 Heavy Equipment Operator 0.48%
31 Sales Associate 0.48%
32 Material Handler 0.48%
33 Pipefitter/welder 0.46%
34 Service Technician 0.45%
35 Foreman 0.45%
36 Fabricator 0.45%
37 Welder-Assembler 0.45%
38 Electrician 0.42%
39 Metal Fabricator 0.41%
40 Customer Service Representative 0.41%
41 Assembler 0.4%
42 Crane Operator 0.38%
43 Field Service Technician 0.37%
44 Numerical Control Operator 0.35%
45 Ship Fitter 0.34%
46 Pipe Fitter 0.34%
47 Delivery Driver 0.33%
48 Lead Person 0.33%
49 Computer Numerical Controller Machinist 0.33%
50 Team Leader 0.33%
51 Journeyman Welder 0.33%
52 Welding Supervisor 0.32%
53 Warehouse Worker 0.32%
54 Production Supervisor 0.32%
55 Boilermaker Welder 0.32%
56 Operations Manager 0.31%
57 Ironworker/welder 0.31%
58 Shop Foreman 0.31%
59 Diesel Mechanic 0.29%
60 Project Manager 0.29%
61 Production Worker 0.28%
62 Cook 0.28%
63 Press Operator 0.28%
64 Forklift Driver 0.27%
65 Welding Foreman 0.27%
66 Combination Welder 0.26%
67 Helper 0.26%
68 Painter 0.26%
69 Journeyman 0.26%
70 Cashier 0.26%
71 Manager 0.25%
72 Floor Hand 0.25%
73 Inspector 0.24%
74 Superintendent 0.24%
75 Welder Helper 0.23%
76 Certified Welding Inspector 0.23%
77 Welder/Machinist 0.23%
78 Security Officer 0.22%
79 Heavy Equipment Mechanic 0.2%
80 Aluminum Welder 0.2%
81 Ranch Hand 0.2%
82 Welder First Class 0.2%
83 Welder Operator 0.2%
84 Engineer 0.19%
85 Coal Miner 0.19%
86 Robotic Welder 0.18%
87 Quality Control 0.18%
88 Warehouse Associate 0.18%
89 Maintenance Supervisor 0.17%
90 Internship 0.17%
91 Assistant Manager 0.17%
92 Boiler Maker 0.17%
93 Manufacturing Engineer 0.16%
94 Construction Worker 0.16%
95 Engineering Technician 0.16%
96 Welder-Machine Operator 0.16%
97 General Manager 0.16%
98 Woodworking Shop Hand 0.16%
99 Installer 0.16%
100 Ship Worker 0.16%

Most Common Jobs for Former Welders

  1. Welder Fitter

  2. Maintenance Technician

  3. Pipe Welder

  4. Mechanic

  5. Machine Operator

  6. Structural Welder

  7. Millwright

  8. Technician

  9. Maintenance Welder

  10. Sheet Metal Mechanic

These positions leverage the skills welders have developed and serve as stepping stones towards varied careers.

How We Identified the Best Jobs for Former Welders

We utilized data from our extensive database of over 7 million resumes to analyze the career trajectories of those who listed welding in their work history. By examining the subsequent job titles they held, we compiled a ranked list based on frequency.

To identify the most intriguing job options, we filtered the ranked list for roles that:

  • Appeared in fewer than 1% of all new job listings
  • Were not included in the top 100 most common positions in our database

By doing so, we aimed to uncover the unique and less conventional career paths available to former welders.

In conclusion, while the welding profession faces challenges, the diverse range of career options available for former welders in 2026 is a testament to their skill sets and adaptability. Whether they pursue roles within the skilled trades or venture into entirely new fields, the future remains bright for those transitioning from welding.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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