Shigoto Zukan
日本語

How to become 溶接工education, training, experience, licenses and the steps to enter

Japan Office & Admin Confidence ★★★★★

Average annual pay
¥4.55M
≈ $28,917
Top pay (est.)
¥7.55M
Top 10% ¥6.55M
Pay in 5 years
¥5.15Mest.
2031
Pay in 10 years
¥5.82Mest.
¥5.01M–¥6.76M
Outlook score
50/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
39%
Low
Labor demand
High
Openings-to-applicants 1.98x

How to become 溶接工

The typical path in Japan is shown by the education, training and experience of current workers above and in the Japanese guidance below. A detailed English guide for this occupation is being prepared.

Guidance from job tag (Japanese)
入職にあたって、特に学歴や資格は必要とされない。工業系の高校等を卒業後入職することが多い。公共職業訓練校等で技能を身につけてから入職する場合もある。他の職業からの中途採用もある。新規学卒者は、学校、ハローワークの紹介がほとんどである。中途採用は、ハローワーク、新聞、求人広告等で行われている。
　アーク溶接やガス溶接を行う場合には、法律に定められた講習等を修了することが必要である（「アーク溶接作業者」、「ガス溶接作業者」）。また、実務経験3年以上で受けられる「ガス溶接作業主任者」がある。
　関係団体が認定する「溶接作業技能者」、「溶接作業指導者」の資格もある。工場認定あるいは官公庁における工事発注の際の、設計や品質管理の責任者となるには「溶接管理技術者」が必要である。
　一般に重量物を製作し、かがみ作業、立ち作業などもあり体力が必要である。また、常に安定した気持ちで仕事を続けられる忍耐力も重要である。特に運棒のために腕の器用さや視力がよいことも求められる。

Skills, education and requirements for 溶接工

Key skills

Active Listening
2.9
Repairing
2.7
Equipment Selection
2.7
Reading Comprehension
2.6
Equipment Maintenance
2.5
Troubleshooting
2.4
Instructing
2.4
Speaking
2.3

Skill levels from the MHLW job tag worker survey.

Key knowledge areas

Production and Processing
2.4
Mechanical
2.3
Design
1.7
Engineering and Technology
1.7
Mathematics
1.4
Physics
1.2
Education and Training
1.2
Administration and Management
1.0

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Important abilities

Manual DexterityFinger DexterityArm-Hand SteadinessProblem SensitivityNear VisionStatic Strength

Licenses and certifications (Japan)

Related qualifications listed on job tag (names in Japanese). Some are mandatory, others recommended.

Education of workers

Training before entry

Related work experience

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience, licenses)

Career path and how to earn more as 溶接工

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by experience is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2025), Population Census and Hello Work employment statistics as published on the MHLW job tag site (retrieved Nov 1, 2026); Occupational Information Database (JILPT). Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.