If you walk into a busy welding shop on a Tuesday morning, you’ll see sparks flying, hoods up, and gloves caked in metal dust. What you might not see is how rare it is to spot a woman welding there. For years, the welding industry has been dominated by men, and even though more women are picking up torches now, they still face a ton of hurdles that don’t make the job easier. As a welding supplier, I get to work with welders every single day, and I’ve seen first-hand what female welders go through—stuff that doesn’t always make the news but makes their jobs way harder than they need to be. Welder
Let’s start with the physical side of things, because welding is a physically demanding job. You’re lifting heavy metal sheets, crouching in tight spaces for hours, and hauling gear that weighs 50 pounds or more. A lot of people, including some shop foremen, still have this old idea that women aren’t strong enough to do the heavy lifting. I’ve had female welders tell me they got passed over for jobs because someone assumed they couldn’t handle moving a 100-pound beam. That’s garbage—strength isn’t about gender, it’s about training and experience. Sure, some women might start at a disadvantage if they haven’t done heavy manual labor before, but so do a lot of new male welders. Why not give everyone a shot based on their skills, not their body type? There’s also the whole issue of personal protective equipment (PPE). Most welding gear is made for the average male build. Gloves are too big, hoods slip down too far, and safety boots are either way too roomy or pinch their feet. I’ve had a welder customer tell me she had to wear two pairs of socks to make her work boots fit, and even then, she had blisters by the end of her shift. A poorly fitting hood isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a safety risk, too. If your hood is slipping, you might miss a spark and get burned, or not see your work clearly and make a mistake. Companies would never skip on PPE for men, so why is it okay for women to make do with gear that doesn’t fit?
Next up, it’s the weird, outdated mindset in the shop that never seems to go away. I’ve heard so many female welders talk about comments like, “You’re pretty good for a girl,” or being left out of after-work hangs where guys talk shop, which means they miss out on learning new tips or building relationships that could help them get ahead. Some male coworkers still act like female welders don’t belong there. I remember a time a few months back, a female welder I supply gear to told me her coworker intentionally knocked over her welding rod bucket, just to see if she’d “lose her cool.” Things like that take a toll—you start second-guessing every move you make, wondering if you’re doing something wrong because someone doesn’t think you deserve to be there. Then there’s the double standard when it comes to mistakes. If a male welder messes up, it’s chalked up to “learning on the job.” If a female welder makes the same mistake, suddenly it’s proof that women aren’t cut out for welding. That’s not fair at all.
Representation is a big one too. When I was starting out in this industry, I barely ever saw a female welder on TV, in movies, or even in trade school brochures. So how’s a young girl supposed to know welding is an option? Most kids grow up thinking jobs like welding are only for men. I recently talked to a 19-year-old female apprentice who told me she didn’t even consider welding until a male teacher in high school mentioned it to her—no one else had ever suggested it. Even now, there aren’t enough female welders in leadership roles, like shop foremen or welding inspectors. That makes it hard for young women to picture themselves moving up the ladder; if you don’t see someone who looks like you in charge, it feels like there’s a glass ceiling above you. As a supplier, I try to showcase female welders in my social media posts, because I want more girls to see that welding is a job they can do and excel at.
Money and opportunity gaps are another challenge. Female welders often make less than male welders doing the exact same job. According to the data I’ve seen, it’s around 15 to 20 cents less per hour, and that adds up to thousands of dollars over a year. It’s not because women are worse at their jobs—it’s because of bias, plain and simple. Then there’s the problem of getting sent to the best jobs. Foremen might give the high-priority, high-paying projects to male welders, leaving female welders with the smaller, less desirable jobs. That makes it hard to build a portfolio, get more experience, or earn more money. I’ve had a few female welder clients tell me they turned down job offers because the pay was so low, even though they were fully qualified for the role.
Safety is another big one, and it’s not just about PPE. Welding fumes, which can be super toxic, affect everyone, but female welders face extra risks related to reproduction. Studies have linked prolonged exposure to welding fumes to issues like fertility problems, and some female welders I know worry about how that could impact starting a family. The industry doesn’t always have proper ventilation in older shops, so they’re stuck breathing in those fumes all day. It’s not like there’s a whole lot of support for that, either. Most safety guidelines don’t take reproductive health into account when it comes to welding. That needs to change.
Don’t get me wrong, things are getting better. More trade schools are actively recruiting female students, and some welding companies are pushing for diversity because they know it makes their teams stronger. But there’s still a long way to go. I’ve worked with some amazing female welders over the years—guys and girls alike, they’re all hardworking, skilled, and dedicated. The problem isn’t the welders; it’s the outdated attitudes and systems that make it harder for women to thrive.
As a welding supplier, my job isn’t just to sell torches and helmets. It’s to support all welders, no matter their gender. That means stocking PPE that actually fits women—smaller gloves, hoods that come in different sizes, boots with narrow widths. It means listening when female welders tell me what they need, instead of assuming I know what’s best. And it means pushing for more opportunities for women in the industry, whether that’s helping them find jobs or connecting them with resources to grow their skills.
If you’re a company looking to hire welders, or a fellow in the industry who wants to do better, I get it—sometimes change feels slow. But small steps add up. Start by checking if your PPE works for everyone, not just the average male build. Call out unfair comments when you hear them. Give female welders the same chances you give men to work on big projects and advance in their careers. Welding is a skilled trade that needs all kinds of people to keep moving forward. The best teams are the ones that value skill over stereotypes, and right now, we’re leaving a ton of talent on the table because we’re not doing right by female welders.
Slitter If you’re a female welder who’s been facing these challenges, or a business looking to build a more inclusive welding team, reach out. I’ve got connections, gear that fits, and I’m here to help. We can work together to make this industry a better place for everyone who picks up a torch.
References
- Welding Industry Report, National Association of Manufacturers, 2022.
- Gender Disparities in Skilled Trades, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023.
- Workplace Safety and Reproductive Health in Welding, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2021.
- Female Apprentices in Welding: Barriers and Opportunities, American Welding Society, 2022.
- PPE Fit and Worker Performance, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2023.
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