How to Build an International Welding Career — Complete Guide
Introduction
Welding is one of the few skilled trades that allows you to work in virtually any country in the world. Demand for qualified welders exceeds supply across Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Australia and the USA, creating real opportunities for international mobility with competitive salaries.
This guide covers the certifications you need, salaries by country, and practical steps to build an international welding career.
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Step 1 — Welder Qualification (ISO 9606-1)
The foundation of any international career is a welder qualification per EN ISO 9606-1, recognised across Europe and accepted as a reference worldwide.
Recommendations for maximum coverage:
- Process: 135 (MAG) and/or 141 (TIG) — most in-demand in industry
- Position: H-L045 (6G) — 45° inclined pipe, qualifies for all positions
- Material: Group 1 (carbon steel) + Group 8 (stainless steel) if possible
- Thickness: ≥ 12 mm on pipe ≥ 150 mm — maximum qualification range
A welder with 6G TIG+MAG qualification on carbon steel and stainless has access to the vast majority of international job offers.
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Step 2 — Additional Certifications by Country
Europe — Essential Certifications
| Certification | What it is | Where required | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCA/SCC | Industrial safety checklist (Safety Checklist Contractors) | Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia | 10 years |
| PRL/TPM | Occupational Risk Prevention (Metal Professional Card) | Spain | 6 years |
| CSIP | Professional Safety and ID Card | France | 5 years |
| CPCS/CSCS | Construction competence card | United Kingdom | 5 years |
| SSG Entre | Industrial safety card | Sweden | 3 years |
Welding Coordination Qualifications (IIW/EWF)
For career progression beyond manual welding:
| Level | Designation | Training hours |
|---|---|---|
| IWP | International Welding Practitioner | ~120h |
| IWS | International Welding Specialist | ~300h |
| IWT | International Welding Technologist | ~340h |
| IWE | International Welding Engineer | ~400h |
| IWI | International Welding Inspector | Variable |
IIW/EWF diplomas are recognised worldwide and satisfy ISO 14731 (welding coordination) and ISO 3834 (quality requirements).
Outside Europe
| Country/Region | Main certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada | AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX | Code-specific qualification; CWI for inspection |
| Australia | AS/NZS 2980, ISO 9606 | ISO 9606 accepted; trade certificate required |
| Middle East | ASME IX, AWS, ISO 9606 | Project-dependent; apostilled certificates often required |
| Brazil | FBTS, ASME IX | FBTS or ASME for pressure projects |
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Step 3 — Salaries by Country (2026, gross annual)
| Country | Average salary | Senior/specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | €65,000-75,000 | €80,000-100,000 |
| Norway | €50,000-60,000 | €65,000-80,000 |
| Germany | €35,000-48,000 | €48,000-58,000 |
| Netherlands | €35,000-45,000 | €45,000-55,000 |
| Ireland | €38,000-48,000 | €48,000-55,000 |
| Belgium | €32,000-42,000 | €42,000-52,000 |
| France | €30,000-38,000 | €38,000-45,000 |
| Spain | €22,000-30,000 | €30,000-40,000 |
| Italy | €24,000-32,000 | €32,000-40,000 |
| Portugal | €16,000-22,000 | €22,000-30,000 |
| Country | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Canada | CAD 55,000-85,000 |
| USA | USD 43,000-80,000 |
| Australia | AUD 60,000-90,000 |
| Middle East (offshore) | USD 40,000-70,000 (often tax-free) |
The highest salaries are in offshore (oil platforms), shipbuilding, pressure piping and nuclear. TIG welders on stainless steel and special alloys (Inconel, titanium, duplex) command the highest rates.
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Step 4 — Skills That Make the Difference
Technical
- TIG on stainless and special alloys — the most valued skill
- WPS reading — mandatory on any qualified project
- Technical drawing and ISO 2553 symbols — essential for interpreting fabrication drawings
- NDT Level 1 — VT, PT, MT are a strong differentiator
- Orbital welding — for automated pipe welding
Language
- Technical English — mandatory for international work
- Spanish — opens Spain and Latin America
- German — differentiator for Germany, Switzerland, Austria
- French — for France and francophone Belgium
Documentation
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Apostilled certificates (Hague Apostille for international recognition)
- Europass CV — standard European format, easy for foreign employers to read
- Photo portfolio — photos of your weld beads, organised by process and material
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Step 5 — Where to Find Jobs
- WeldFC** (weldfc.com) — specialised metalworking platform (PT/ES)
- Indeed — filter by country and "welder"
- LinkedIn — follow structural steel and offshore companies
- Rigzone — specialised in energy and offshore
- Oil and Gas Job Search — for petroleum projects
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Step 6 — Career Progression
- Manual Welder (ISO 9606) →
- Specialist Welder (TIG stainless, orbital, special alloys) →
- Welding Inspector (IWI / CSWIP / CWI) →
- Welding Coordinator (IWS / IWT / IWE) →
- Quality Manager / Technical Director
Each step significantly increases salary and reduces physical strain. An IWE (International Welding Engineer) can earn €60,000-90,000/year on international projects, working in coordination and quality management.
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Checklist — International Welder
- ☐ ISO 9606-1 qualification (ideally 6G, TIG+MAG, carbon steel + stainless)
- ☐ VCA/SCC or destination country equivalent
- ☐ Technical English (minimum B1)
- ☐ Valid passport + apostilled certificates
- ☐ Europass CV + photo portfolio
- ☐ Profiles on specialised platforms (WeldFC, LinkedIn, Indeed)
- ☐ Continuous training (IWS/IWT, NDT, orbital welding)
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*Article based on IIW/EWF data, ISO 9606-1, ISO 14731, and 2026 salary data. Published on WeldFC Academy — the technical reference in metalworking.*