Have you decided to pursue an AWS CWI certification? If this is the case, you have probably spent countless hours doing your research to make sure you meet the requirements.
But of course, what you really want to know is how much money you can make as a CWI. If you want to know, keep reading this article.
What is a CWI?
Before you learn how much a CWI makes, you need to learn a little bit more about the nature of the work.
A CWI stands for a certified welding inspector. CWIs are essential to a variety of construction fields.
CWIs have a number of important responsibilities each day to ensure the quality of a construction project.
When working at a job site, CWIs have to inspect for a variety of things such as compliance with city and state laws, federal safety regulations, and company-specific guidelines.
When a construction project is in full swing, an inspector has to monitor the welding operations to ensure compliance to welding procedures.
If you want to become a CWI, you need 5 years industry experience if you have a high school diploma, if you do not have a high school diploma don’t fret, you can still become a CWI but will need more industry experience. It also helps to have a background in engineering, CWI prep courses, or a similar field.
The American Welding Society offers a certified welding inspector certification you can complete.
Reasons to Become a CWI
Aside from a substantial salary, there are other reasons why many people choose to become CWIs.
For starters, the benefits are great. When you’re part of a company, you will receive health insurance, 401k, and other benefits.
If you don’t like to stay put in one place, a CWI career might be the right move for you. Becoming a CWI will allow you more freedom and more travel opportunities to choose where you want to work.
Also, when you become a CWI, you never stop learning. You will get the opportunity to learn from professionals and develop your skills further.
How Much Does a CWI Make?
For a lot of people deciding on a specific career depends a lot on the salary. It’s no different for CWIs.
The average salary for a CWI pays $72K a year, with overtime included. The hourly rate is about $26.64 an hour. Most reports show CWIs rack up an average of 17 hours of overtime a week.
The salary of a CWI has grown over the past few years. In 2013, the average salary was $58,000 a year. This number was an increase from $38,410 a year in 2012.
Of course, this salary varies by location. Some of the lowest salaries for a CWI reported were $44K a year in the state of Idaho.
Meanwhile, New York and DC have some of the highest salaries in the industry reported between $80k and 83K a year.
Becoming an AWS CWI: The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt CWIs can make a decent salary. Salaries depending on location can range from $44K to $83K a year. Not to mention you’ll receive competitive benefits and a chance to travel.
Are you interested in obtaining an AWS CWI certification? Look no further.
Let us help you pursue your career with our complete CWI exam prep course.
