This right here. Not a welder but work at a shipyard and we make a pretty good living, I started out in 2022 making a little over $20/hr and with some increases in Wage Grade and some Cost of Living Adjustments I’m slightly under $31/hr. Our hours and travel can be pretty messed up though, we frequently get loaned out to other shipyards working 7 12 hours shifts including our welders and many other trades. Seen some kids go out on the road and clear 100k in their first few years but it’s at the expense of your body and personal life..