Here is a comprehensive career guide for Welders considering a move to Lakewood, CO.

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Welder's Career Guide: Lakewood, Colorado

As a career analyst who’s spent years navigating Colorado’s job market, I’ve watched Lakewood evolve from a quiet suburb into a dynamic hub for manufacturing, infrastructure, and aerospace. For welders, it’s a city of opportunity—but one that demands a clear-eyed view of costs, competition, and local nuances. This guide cuts through the noise, using hard data and local insights to help you decide if Lakewood fits your career and lifestyle.

The Salary Picture: Where Lakewood Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter. The median salary for $50,408/year in Lakewood translates to an hourly rate of $24.23/hour. This figure sits slightly above the national average for welders, which is $49,590/year. With approximately 311 welding jobs in the metro area and a modest 10-year job growth projection of 2%, the market is stable but not explosive. This isn't a boomtown; it's a steady, reliable market for skilled trades.

Wage progression in Lakewood follows typical experience curves, heavily influenced by specialization and the sector you enter (e.g., structural vs. aerospace).

Welder Salary Breakdown by Experience Level in Lakewood

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Typical Annual Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level	0-2	$38,000 - $46,000	Often starts in production or helper roles. AWS certification is a major differentiator.
Mid-Level	3-7	$48,000 - $62,000	Proficiency in multiple processes (MIG, TIG, Stick). May lead small teams.
Senior	8-15	$60,000 - $75,000	Specialized skills (e.g., aluminum, pressure vessels), QA/QC roles, or lead welder.
Expert/Specialist	15+	$70,000 - $85,000+	AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), pipe welding, or aerospace applications.

Comparison to Other Colorado Cities:

• Denver: Slightly higher, median around $52,000, but cost of living is significantly steeper.
• Colorado Springs: Median similar to Lakewood (~$50,000), with strong military and aerospace sectors.
• Fort Collins: Lower demand and slightly lower pay (~$48,000), dominated by manufacturing and education.
• Grand Junction: Lower pay (~$45,000) but significantly lower cost of living, with a focus on energy and agriculture.

Insider Tip: Your most significant salary leverage in Lakewood comes from obtaining AWS certifications (like D1.1 for structural steel or D1.2 for aluminum). A CWI credential can push you from the senior to the expert bracket immediately.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $50,408/year is a gross figure. Here’s what it looks like in reality for Lakewood, where the cost of living index is 105.5 (5.5% above the U.S. average) and the average 1BR rent is $1,835/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown: Welder Earning $50,408/Year ($24.23/hour)

Category	Monthly Cost (Est.)	Notes
Gross Pay	$4,200	Before taxes and deductions.
Take-Home Pay	$3,200	After federal, state (4.4%), and FICA taxes. Assumes single filer, standard deduction.
Rent (1BR avg)	$1,835	The single largest expense.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$250	Varies by season; winters can be high due to heating.
Groceries	$350	Lakewood has good access to affordable chains like King Soopers and Walmart.
Transportation (Car Payment/Gas/Insurance)	$400	Car is essential; public transit (RTD) exists but is less comprehensive for trade sites.
Health Insurance (employer contribution)	$200	Varies widely; assume $200 after employer share.
Retirement/401(k) (5% contribution)	$208	Critical for long-term financial health.
Miscellaneous (Food out, leisure, savings)	$157	Very tight. This is where budgeting becomes crucial.

Can they afford to buy a home?
At this salary, buying a home in Lakewood is a significant stretch. The median home price in Lakewood is approximately $550,000. With a 20% down payment ($110,000), a mortgage would be around $2,800/month (including taxes and insurance), which is far beyond the $1,835 rent and would consume nearly 70% of the take-home pay. It’s not feasible without a dual income, a much larger down payment, or moving to a more affordable suburb like Arvada or Wheat Ridge. Most welders in this salary bracket rent or buy in outlying areas.

Where the Jobs Are: Lakewood's Major Employers

Lakewood’s welding jobs are concentrated in manufacturing, infrastructure, and construction. The city’s location west of Denver makes it a prime spot for companies serving the Denver metro area without the downtown Denver price tag.

1. Vestas Towers (Brighton, but a major commuter employer): While technically in Brighton, many Vestas employees live in Lakewood due to a shorter commute than from the north. They manufacture wind turbine towers, requiring heavy structural welding (SAW, FCAW). Hiring is cyclical but tied to renewable energy projects.

2. Turner Industries: A major industrial contractor with a significant presence in the Denver region. They handle construction, maintenance, and fabrication for oil, gas, and chemical plants. Work can be project-based, offering variety but potential downtime between contracts.

3. Mitsubishi Electric (Power Systems): Located in nearby Englewood, this facility manufactures electrical equipment and often needs welders for structural steel and fabrication work supporting their large-scale projects.

4. Lakewood’s Construction & Infrastructure Sector: The City of Lakewood and Jefferson County are constantly involved in public works projects—road repairs, bridge work, and municipal building upgrades. These jobs often come through general contractors like Kiewit or Myers & Sons, who hire welders for specific project durations.

5. Local Fabrication Shops: Numerous small-to-medium custom fabrication shops (e.g., Colorado Custom Metalworks, Lakewood Iron Works) serve the local construction and artistic communities. These are excellent places to cut your teeth, often offering a wider variety of welding processes.

6. CoorsTek (Golden): A short commute into Golden, this advanced ceramics manufacturer sometimes requires welders for maintenance and fabrication of specialized equipment. It’s a more stable, high-tech environment than traditional manufacturing.

Hiring Trends: The 2% job growth indicates steady demand, not a surge. The biggest driver is the replacement of retiring welders. Companies are increasingly looking for welders with digital literacy (e.g., using welding simulators) and safety certifications (OSHA 30). Networking through the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Rocky Mountain Chapter is highly effective for finding unposted jobs.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado does not have a state-level license to become a welder. However, the industry is heavily regulated by certifications and local permits.

• Certifications: The American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are the de facto standard. The AWS Certified Welder test costs $250-$500 per test (e.g., D1.1 Structural Steel). Many employers will pay for this if you pass. The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a gold-standard credential that can double your salary potential, but requires significant experience and a passing score on a rigorous exam (exam fee: ~$1,100).
• Permits: If you plan to work on boilers, pressure vessels, or pipelines, you may need a Colorado Boiler & Pressure Vessel or Pipeline license, administered by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). Costs vary but expect a few hundred dollars for the application and exam.
• OSHA Training: A 10-hour OSHA card is a minimum for most job sites. A 30-hour card is preferred for supervisors. Courses cost $50-$150.

Timeline to Get Started:

• 0-6 Months: Enroll in a vocational program (e.g., at Emily Griffith Technical College or Red Rocks Community College). Obtain entry-level AWS certifications.
• 6 Months - 2 Years: Gain experience, build a portfolio, and pursue advanced certifications (e.g., aluminum, stainless).
• 2+ Years: Consider CWI training if you aim for leadership or inspection roles.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live impacts your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Lakewood is car-dependent, but some areas offer better access to job hubs.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Welders
Belmar	Urban-suburban mix, walkable retail/dining. Easy access to I-25 & 6.	$1,900	Central location. Short commute to many industrial areas in Denver and Lakewood. Good for younger welders who want amenities.
Green Mountain	Quiet, residential, family-oriented. Closer to Golden and the foothills.	$1,750	More affordable. Good access to jobs in Golden (CoorsTek) and western Lakewood. Less traffic congestion.
Applewood (West)	Modest, established suburb. Very close to I-70 for mountain access.	$1,600	Best value. Affordable rent, easy commute to western job sites and Denver. More blue-collar community feel.
Columbine	Classic suburb, great schools, spacious lots.	$1,800	Ideal for welders with families. A bit further east, but still manageable commute to most Lakewood jobs.
Westgate	Older, smaller homes, close to Sheridan Blvd & 6th Ave.	$1,700	Strategic commute location. Easy jump to I-25 or downtown Denver for jobs. Less polished, but practical.

Insider Tip: Avoid the immediate area around Lakewood Square if you hate traffic. The 6th Ave and Wadsworth Blvd intersection is a constant bottleneck. For the best balance of commute and cost, look at the Applewood area.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With 2% projected growth, advancement relies on specialization and added value, not just waiting for openings.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Aerospace Welding (Aluminum/Titanium): +15-25% over median. Requires extreme precision and often NADCAP certification.
  • Pipe Welding (6G Certification): +20-30% over median. High demand in industrial maintenance and energy.
  • Welding Inspector (CWI): +50-100% over median. A career path shift from hands-on to managerial/quality assurance.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Lead Welder/Fabricator: Oversee a small team, manage workflow.
  2. Quality Control Inspector: Use your welding knowledge to ensure standards are met.
  3. Welding Engineer/Technician: Requires an associate's or bachelor's degree. Focuses on process design and improvement.
  4. Entrepreneur: Start your own custom fabrication shop. Lakewood’s construction market provides a steady client base.

10-Year Outlook: The 2% growth means competition will remain steady. The key differentiators will be multilingual skills (Spanish is a huge asset in construction), digital literacy (CAD/CAM familiarity), and safety leadership. The push for renewable energy (wind, solar) will likely create more stable, long-term jobs in structural welding for energy infrastructure.

The Verdict: Is Lakewood Right for You?

Lakewood offers a stable, if not spectacular, market for welders. It’s a pragmatic choice for those who want city amenities without Denver’s extreme cost of living.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: 311 jobs and 2% growth offer security.	Tight Budget: Rent at $1,835 on a $50,408 salary leaves little room for error.
Strategic Location: Easy access to Denver, Golden, and the mountains.	Car Dependent: A reliable vehicle is non-negotiable for commuting to job sites.
Diverse Industries: From aerospace to construction, you can pivot your skills.	Homeownership is a Challenge: The $550,000 median home price is out of reach for many at this salary.
No State License Barrier: Entry is based on skill and certification, not a bureaucratic hurdle.	Growth is Modest: Don’t expect rapid wage increases or a flood of new openings.

Final Recommendation:
Lakewood is a strong choice for mid-career welders with specialized skills who value stability and access to the Colorado lifestyle. It’s less ideal for entry-level welders just starting out, as the high rent-to-salary ratio is tough. If you’re willing to live in a more affordable suburb like Applewood, invest in certifications early, and network aggressively, Lakewood can be a rewarding place to build a welding career.

FAQs

1. Is the welding job market in Lakewood competitive?
Yes, but in a healthy way. With 311 jobs, you won’t be competing against hundreds for a single opening, but you will be competing against other skilled locals. Having an AWS certification and a clean driving record puts you ahead of 50% of applicants.

2. What’s the cost of getting certified if I’m new to welding?
Expect to spend $2,000-$5,000 on a vocational program (like at Red Rocks CC) and initial certification exams. This is a worthwhile investment; certified welders in Lakewood can earn $10,000+ more annually than their uncertified peers.

3. How harsh are Lakewood winters for outdoor welding?
They can be challenging. While not as extreme as the mountains, temperatures regularly drop below freezing, and snow is common. Most outdoor construction slows or stops from December through February. This is a key reason to seek work in fabrication shops or for companies with indoor facilities during winter.

4. Can I rely on public transportation (RTD) to get to welding jobs?
Rarely. Most manufacturing and fabrication sites are in industrial parks not well-served by light rail or buses. A personal vehicle is essential for reliability and to carry your own gear. Some contractors may offer company vehicles for service calls.

5. What’s the best way to find a welding job in Lakewood without experience?
Start with temporary staffing agencies that specialize in industrial trades (like Aerotek or Express Employment Professionals in Lakewood). They often have on-the-job training placements. Also, visit local fabrication shops in person with a resume—many owners value initiative over formal experience.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for national and metro wage data; Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for state projections; Zillow and RentCafe for housing cost estimates; American Welding Society (AWS) for certification pathways; City of Lakewood and Jefferson County for local employer information.