Q&A for How to Become an Underwater Welder

So the American Welding Society certification test has various levels and specific roles. The Certified Welding Supervisor is an entry-level certification, focusing on ensuring that welders perform their tasks correctly through manual checks. The Certified Welding Inspector requires a higher level of expertise, involving the review of welding procedure specifications and other welder qualifications. CWIs can also choose their field of expertise, such as structural applications or boiler vessels, which determines the specific code of exam they will take. To become a CWI, you must pass two types of exams: a basic exam covering general welding knowledge, including some non-destructive testing, and a code exam specific to your chosen field. Preparation for these exams includes taking several courses and studying materials related to your chosen specialty. Lastly, and also at the highest level, is the Certified Welding Engineer, which requires advanced technical knowledge and responsibilities.

You could probably search online to find paid training in your area.

You would need to have your welders qualification and your commercial diving qualification. (It needs to be a commercial diving certification because a regular sports diving training license would not give you the safety training you would need for offshore work.)

The typical age requirement is from 18 to 35.

As long as you're capable of doing so.

Visit Diversacademy.edu. It's the top commercial diving school on the East Coast with the deepest inland training facility in the nation.

It's a high-stress occupation that requires a lot of physical strength and stamina, as well as lots of time away from home. So long as you're fit and teachable, you'll be all good.

You should learn to swim before considering any occupation that puts you in contact with bodies of water. As for your location, look at shipbuilding companies in your area (you may need to go to Malaysia or Indonesia for that, though).

If commercial diving and general welding are a big part of the curriculum, the program will generally be anywhere from two to five years. On the flip side, a more specialized program that concentrates solely on underwater welding skills can sometimes be completed in as few as six months.

Search online for local welding and diving schools, send a few inquiry emails and say you're interested. You may not be able to undertake welding training before the age of 16 or 17, but you might be able to at least do diving training, which will be greatly beneficial to your career. If you have the appropriate space at home, (e.g. a well-ventilated garage away from flammable materials), then you can simply buy a cheap welder and practice arc welding (aka stick welding) which is essentially the same process as used in most underwater welding. Decent and reliable arc welding machines can usually be bought for under $300.

if you are applying to community college or vocational school, you will have to submit your high school transcripts.

The average salary for an underwater welder in the United States is around $53,000 a year, with the top earners getting around $80,000 a year.