Living Wage Careers
You can find a good job in less than a year of training.
EMSI labor data reports that 4,100 new and replacement welding positions will be available in the Santa Cruz Commute Region by the end of 2026 with a median income of $47 per hour.
State-based data indicates that there is a 95% undersupply of welders in the broader region.
The Employment Development Department/CalJOBS includes welding-related jobs on their "Fastest Growing Occupations" list. In Santa Cruz County, many of these fields were expected to enjoy a 25+% increase in growth from 2016-2026.
At the state-level, CalJOBS lists "Ironworkers" first on their list of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Occupations in California, 2016-2026." This occupation is predicted to enjoy an employment increase in growth through 2026.
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Demand
In 2021, the federal government passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, including $550 billion allocated to the nation's bridges, airports, waterways, public transit, and more. The overwhelming consensus among large infrastructure contractors is that due to a massive wave of baby boom generation retirements, and the lack of a replacement workforce, there will be debilitating shortages of infrastructure workers for many years to come.
Featured Careers
Boilermakers
Median pay is $113,286 per year.
New workers generally start around $55,230. Highly experienced workers can earn as much as $131,869.
35 jobs in the local area are expected to open annually.
Since June 2020, 32 companies have posted 112 jobs for Boilermakers.
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Tool Programmers
Median pay is $80,361 per year.
New workers generally start around $50,733. Highly experienced workers can earn as much as $118,452.
135 jobs in the local area are expected to open annually.
Since June 2020, 317 companies have posted 1,128 jobs for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers.
Additional Certificates for Your Career
Please know that we do not offer American Welding Society (AWS) testing, nor do we issue any certificates other than Cabrillo College Skills Certificates. However, Nationally and internationally recognized licensure exams/certificates such as the following can be independently pursued by students:
Certification by the American Welding Society (AWS)
Certification by the American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certification by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Certification by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
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