If you are interested in building a career as a skilled welder, Maine is a good place to start. With a number of educational institutions dedicated to teaching welding, you can easily develop the skills you need to get started. Job opportunities for welders in Maine will continue to increase as they will throughout the nation, so you should find a great place to begin your career.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welders fuse or repair a variety of metal types in construction, industrial, and manufacturing applications. Specific welding job duties vary depending on the industry and the welder’s specialty.
- Unskilled welders generally have limited knowledge about metal properties or the settings, wires, and gases needed to produce a good weld. Their jobs usually entail performing repetitive welding tasks on assembly lines, such as utilizing robots to join car or truck panels or performing spot welds for specialized equipment construction.
- Skilled welders have mastered advanced welding techniques and understand the characteristics of various types of metals. They use their knowledge of joining techniques and base metals to create welds according to blueprint specifications.
Welding Schools Near Me in Maine
Building a career as a welder generally begins with a high school diploma or GED. Some high schools offer co-curricular vocational/technical programs where students can earn industry certification upon graduation. Post-secondary training may come in the form of apprenticeships, trade schools, or welding programs at 2 or 4-year educational institutions to learn welding skills.
Eastern Maine Community College
Offering certifications and associate’s degrees, this school has a student population of 2,042 undergraduates and a 14-1 student/ faculty ratio.
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Phone number: (207) 974-4600
- Programs available: Blueprint reading, pipe welding accreditation, AWS and ASME welder certifications
- Program duration: 1-2 years
- Average cost: $3,865 in-state tuition
New England School of Metalwork
This non-profit educational institution opened in 2000 with the intention of promoting and strengthening metalworking skills in the community.
- Location: Auburn, ME
- Phone number: (207) 777-6211
- Programs available: Blueprint reading, pipe welding accreditation, AWS, ABS, API, and ASME welder certifications
- Program duration: 13 weeks
- Average cost: varies
Northern Maine Community College
This two-year public community college offers industry certificates in one to two years, as well as Associate’s degrees to a student population of 775 undergraduates.
- Location: Presque Isle, ME
- Phone number: (207) 768-2700
- Programs available: Welding technology/welder
- Program duration: 1-2 years
- Average cost: #3,830 in-state tuition
Southern Maine Community College
With a student population of 5,789, this 2-year public institution offers associate’s degrees as well as industry certifications.
- Location: South Portland, ME
- Phone number: (207) 741-5500
- Programs available: Welding technology/welder certification
- Program duration: 1-2 years
- Average cost: $3,874 in-state tuition
Washington County Community College
WCCC is a two-year public educational institution with a student population of 354 undergraduates and a 7-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Location: Calais, ME
- Phone number: (207) 454-1000
- Programs available: Pipe welding, blueprint reading, welder certifications from AWS and the State of Maine
- Program duration: 1-2 years
- Average cost: $3,859 in-state tuition
Welding Career Opportunities in Maine
Historically, shipbuilding has always been an important industry in the state of Maine, with two major shipyards still in production: the internationally known Portsmouth Naval Yard and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. Welding technology is critical to the shipbuilding industry in order to create smooth surfaces for the hulls, which reduces resistance and power requirements. Shipbuilding generally uses arc welding, gas welding, and resistance welding. The specific welding techniques that maritime welders should know include the following:
- Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) produces high-quality welds with high speeds and low distortion levels
- Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), alternatively called stick welding, allows welds to be completed in any position.
- Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is used for thin material welding
- Submerged arc welding enables high-quality welds, even when welders lack advanced skills
- Oxyacetylene welding (OAW) is easy to learn, with less expensive and more portable equipment
- Ceramic welding is used for vessels’ shell plates and is becoming an increasingly popular technique in shipbuilding
How Much Do Welders Make in Maine?
The average base annual salary for a welder in Maine is $45,590, which is equal to the national average. With ten years of experience, a welder earns an average of $52,092 per year. Specialized and highly skilled welders can earn close to six figures.
Major Employers of Welders in Maine
The biggest employers of welders in the state of Maine include the following:
- Bechtel ($93,316): Bechtel is internationally known for its work in nuclear energy, environmental services, infrastructure, energy, mining, metals, and security.
- Toyota ($86,509): Toyota has held a top spot in the automotive industry for nearly a century and offers a variety of lucrative opportunities for welders.
- McDermott ($83,460): McDermott offers global product line teams such as downstream, offshore, LNG, power, pipe fabrication, subsea, and industrial storage.
- Zachry Construction Company ($80,813): With expertise in the construction industry from transportation infrastructure to building construction, Zachry offers many opportunities for skilled welders.
- Fluor Corp. ($69,136): For over a century, Fluor has delivered construction projects, engineering, and procurement as a professional and technical service agency.
How To Become a Certified Welder in Maine
Because welding is a high-precision, skilled trade, welders must receive in-depth training and related certification in order to obtain a great job. Some employers require prior experience and certification, while other employers provide on-the-job training and onsite apprenticeships. A high school diploma or GED and some sort of experiential training program is a requirement.
After education and training, prospective welders should pursue a welding certification through the American Welding Society (AWS), which require specific qualifying criteria and an exam. Certifications available through AWS include the following:
- Certified Welder
- Certified Welding Educator
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- Certified Robotic Arc Welder
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Maine?
Maine state law does not require welders to be licensed. However, certification is usually preferred by potential employers.
Maine Welding FAQs
Here are some common questions related to new careers in welding:
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
While the prospect of a new career in welding is exciting, the process should not be rushed. Adequate time should be spent preparing for the following steps:
- Training through vocational high schools, post-secondary trade schools, community colleges, apprenticeships, or other area opportunities. These programs can generally be completed in two years, and some are accelerated for faster mastery.
- Exams are required for certification. Each test carries a fee, so you will want to prepare so that you don’t waste your money.
- After passing your test, your credentials may take up to four weeks to process.
- Following receipt of your certification, you can pursue the job of your dreams. Maintenance of your certification is required by periodic testing or completion of specific welding projects.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in Maine?
The state of Maine requires welders to hold general liability insurance to protect against damages.
You can easily request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners using the tool below.
3. Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
The American Welding Society (AWS) is a helpful resource for questions about the welding profession. Contact them toll-free at 800-443-9353 between 8-7 EST Monday through Friday for more information.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Welder in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Maine , click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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