Experienced welders have a large advantage in the current labour market as the demand for welders is expected to grow in the coming years. In 2017 there were 2,990 people working as welders in Calgary. The more skilled that a welder is, there more valuable they will be in this competitive market.
Welders in Calgary earn higher salaries than most other major cities in Canada. This makes welder positions in Calgary extremely competitive and sought after as more and more people are being trained as welders. The average starting hourly wage for a welder in Calgary is approximately $21.80 per hour. With years of experience, welders can see their salary increase to $30.50 per hour. Below are the hourly wages of welders at each different level of experience.
Entry level salary: $21.80 - 26.10
Intermediate salary: $23.70 - 28.40
Senior salary: $25.50 - 30.50
Welders will typically find employment in shop environments, construction sites and factories. Many industries are in need of skilled employers. The top industries currently requiring welders in Calgary are:
In Alberta, welders require more mandatory training than other Canadian provinces. A trade certification will provide welders in Calgary with a great deal of skills that employers value. The skills that are most in demand from welders in Calgary are knowledge related to:
Once you’ve acquired your welder trade certification in Alberta, many doors become open to you. Most welders will begin at the junior level with a junior salary, mostly working in construction and factory environments. With continued experience and training, welders can find themselves in supervisory positions and leadership roles. Some welders may eventually become self-employed or contractors that are in charge of a number of other individuals.