If you’re interested in a welding career in Texas, the Lone Star state is one of the best places to find a job. In fact, Texas has more welding jobs than any other state in the country. Between now and 2026, the American Welding Society projects a need for 336,000 more welding professionals, and many of them will be needed in Texas. That’s in part due to demand but also because older professionals are retiring.
What’s going on in Texas, you might wonder. For starters, Texas is experiencing a population boom, but also many businesses and industries are relocating here. That means an increased demand for building homes, energy, and infrastructure. Texas also has a booming green energy sector, and of course is home to robust oil and aerospace industries.
Welding expertise gives you a versatile and transferrable skillset, and any industry that deals with metal needs welders. Here’s a closer look at 5 industries in Texas that use welding.
Green energy. While most people connect Texas with fossil fuels, what they might not realize is Texas leads the nation in wind and solar—by far. In 2021, it installed 7,352 megawatts of new wind, solar, and energy installation projects, according to American Clean Power. By comparison, California installed 2,697 megawatts. Solar panels and wind and water turbines all require metalwork. Welders are needed to create the infrastructure in these industries.
Oil and Gas. Texas still has plenty of need for welders in the oil and gas industry, despite the boom in clean energy. You could find a job in a plant that makes oil-production equipment, work in the oilfields, or work offshore on an oil rig. Houston has the highest concentration of welders per capita of any city in the country, but there’s demand for more. They’re needed for welding pipes in the field, pipe racks, gas and diesel tanks, and small production tanks.
Manufacturing. Manufacturing employs the majority of welders, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That includes automotive factories, agriculture, mining machinery, and railroads, and even furniture Just about anything with metal parts that needs to be put together requires welding.
Aerospace. All aircraft require welding, so it’s no surprise welders can find jobs in this industry. Aerospace welding is needed in the production of airplanes, helicopters, rockets, satellites and other spacecraft. Texas is a mecca for aerospace manufacturing, with 18 of the 20 largest global manufacturers running major operations in the state.
Construction. In Texas, industrial and commercial construction projects need welders just like everywhere else. Welding is an essential component of construction, particularly large commercial projects like schools, apartment buildings, or business buildings, or civil-engineering projects like bridges or utility plants.
Welding is a career almost anyone can pursue. While women are still a minority in the industry, that shouldn’t stop you from taking a look at this versatile career path. Women have been working in welding since WWII.
Fortis offers a welding program at its Houston South campus in Texas. To learn more, call 1-855-436-7847 for more information and schedule a visit to tour to see firsthand the Houston facilities and workshops used to train tomorrow's welding professionals.