KWI graduate Clayton Waymire is just 20 years old and working his first job in the welding industry, earning $33 an hour plus $120 a day in per diem while gaining real-world experience as a pipe welder. Clayton graduated from Kentucky Welding Institute on December 17 and started his first welding job January 6. Now he’s working in Apple Grove, West Virginia, on an industrial pipe welding job where he is putting his welding school training to work in the field. In this KWI graduate testimonial, Clayton gives an inside look at what life is really like for a young pipe welder starting a career in the skilled trades. He talks about his welder pay, work schedule, per diem, travel expenses, welding conditions, pipe fitting, rigging, signaling, investing his income, and what it took to land his first welding job. Clayton is currently earning $33/hour + $120/day per diem and working approximately 68 hours per week. He explains how overtime and per diem affect his weekly income and why controlling expenses is important when working a traveling welding job. You’ll also see what industrial pipe welding looks like on an actual jobsite. Clayton discusses welding pipe and socket welds, working in difficult positions, mirror welding, welding with a hard hat and harness, rigging, signaling, fitting pipe, and learning from experienced tradesmen. His first welding job hasn’t just been about making money. It has been about continuing to build his skills after welding school and learning how to become a better pipe welder in real jobsite conditions. Clayton also shares how he keeps his expenses low as a travel welder. Instead of spending more on hotels or an Airbnb, he bought a camper and found a campground for $500 a month—allowing him to keep more of the money he earns on the road. He’s also investing 20% of his weekly income into a Roth IRA and mutual fund while saving toward his long-term goal of buying land, purchasing farm equipment, and eventually building a farming operation of his own. But Clayton’s path into a welding career wasn’t easy. Five years ago, his high school told him there wasn’t room for him in its welding program. Clayton and his family made the decision to transfer schools so he could pursue welding. That decision eventually led him to Kentucky Welding Institute and then into his first professional pipe welding job. Even after welding school, the road wasn’t perfect. Clayton failed his first weld test after traveling more than five hours for the opportunity. With only about $150 left in his checking account, he took another welding test, passed, and started the job that launched his career. His advice for students considering welding school or a career in pipe welding is simple: take advantage of the training you’re given. “KWI will prepare you if you let them prepare you.” Clayton encourages welding students to practice more than just comfortable booth welds. Learn to mirror weld. Practice with your hard hat. Learn rigging and signaling. Network with other welders. Get comfortable being uncomfortable so your first welding job isn’t the first time you experience real jobsite conditions. If you’re researching welding schools, pipe welding school, welding jobs, pipe welder pay, welding careers, travel welding, skilled trades careers, or what to expect after welding school, Clayton’s story gives you a firsthand look at the transition from welding student to working pipe welder. Learn more about Kentucky Welding Institute and training for a career in pipe welding. #Welding #PipeWelding #WeldingSchool #PipeWelder #KentuckyWeldingInstitute
