Welding is an extremely technical and labor-intensive field that requires practice and precision. Welders operate large machinery and work with delicate materials using high heat. Make sure you are prepared before you begin to learn to weld.

Large fab shops employ a multitude of value-added processes, including welding, cutting, forming and machining. As with other manufacturing processes, both human labor and automation are commonly used. A fabricated product may be called a fabrication, and shops specializing in this type of work are called fab shops.

A typical day in the life of a welder may start with reviewing blueprints and other instructions to determine what welding methods or sequences are required for the job. A welder then may lay out the metal parts and align them properly for assembly.

The global welding market size was valued at USD 23.75 billion in 2022.